Thread by @Del_ivered

While we're picking ourselves up after the damaging Covid episode maybe time to reflect on where Scotland finds itself and how we can all move forward together. It will mean political opponents working together rather than apart, people shelving long-standing animosities.

The arid nationalist vs union debate has been going on for too long swamping real issues of concern, particularly to younger Scots. Where will their first home come from? How will they get a job in the post-Covid economy, possibly having just lost theirs. Mental health, drugs.

If Holyrood is to mean anything to a younger generation seeking its own path, urgent issues will have to be addressed, the ya-boo constitutional sh*tshow dropped. If Westminster is ever to be meaningful to folk in Pilton, Govanhill, Lochee or Torry, the UK gov better go to them.

Nicola Sturgeon could build on her approval ratings by shelving separation plans and working together with UK gov to rebuild Scottish society, business and jobs. In what will be a torrid year for many Scots - business failures, jobs lost. Holyrood opposition should cooperate.

Sadly, none of the above is likely. Sturgeon appeases her increasingly Anglophobic followers telling visitors to F-Off at the border. The Holyrood opposition to the SNP seem to hate each other as much as the would-be separatists.

But where does that leave us, the people?

For the young, the SNP promise the Earth but don't have the wherewithal to provide it. Separating from the UK can only give them 10 years of austerity-max, according to the SNP's own growth commission.

So you'd think an open goal for the Holyrood opposition? Quite the reverse.

Can you remember an original new agenda to create a better future for young Scots coming from Holyrood? I can't, not from the opposition or the SNP.

But the field's wide open. If you believe in Britain, demonstrate the opportunities the UK provides. In real, practical terms.

Apprenticeships: Create UK schemes, promote relocation north/south to work in various branches of British companies/orgs. Jobshare across Britain.
Culture: Music and arts groups- connect Britain, share cultural diversity from Barrhead to Brixton.
New UK first homes concepts.

Tourism- Promote Scotland UK-wide. Combine Britain's coastal resorts in a 20,000 miles coast to coast trail!
Twin towns and villages. Ullapool with St Mawes. Motherwell/Sunderland. Inverness/Cardiff.
Compare solutions to common issues, jobs, sustainable tourism, 2nd homes etc.

Let's not kid ourselves, Brexit is an issue that concerns the young. The proponents of it have to show creative methods of travelling, studying and working across EU countries, possibly bilateral funding arrangements and facilitate opportunities for young Scots world-wide.

The Scottish Tory party if it wants to be relevant had better get onboard Brexit's HMS Freeport. Not only them but Labour, Libdems, SNP too. Could mean huge opportunities for Lochee, Govanhill, Torry or Pilton folk depending on location. Jobs, infrastructure funded by UK gov.

One of my favourite Scottish towns is Peterhead, The 'Blue Toon' could be a massive beneficiary of Brexit with a revived fishing industry. Let's see Gove howk a huge shoal of the Fishing Ministry up there and back the locals. Who in Holyrood couldn't support that?

There's more that unites Scots than divides us. To help a new generation confront serious problems we need to find a comfortable way of facing up to the reality we're on a small island. Rather than dividing let's use our combined expertise. Including on health, drugs and mh.

As a postscript, an old warhorse has raised his head once more in his native land. Controversial, always informed creative and entertaining, huge defender of Britain, @GeorgeGalloway is promoting #Alliance4Unity in Scotland. Never has there been a better time to bump auld elbows.