Scotland, not just Joe Biden's America, must end its own 'uncivil war' and unite to tackle the nation's very real problems – Pamela Nash

In a time when there is rarely much to celebrate, this past week brought the promise of a new era, with the inauguration of the Biden/Harris presidency. I am not the only one who shed tears of pure joy watching them be sworn into office.

New US Joe Biden has called for Americans to end their 'uncivil war' (Picture: Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images)

The President had one overwhelming message in his speech: the need for unity. This theme threaded through all the celebrations of the day, from the purple dress worn by VP Harris, the powerful artistry of Amanda Gorman’s poem, The Hill We Climb, and the song choices and variety of performers taking part in the concert.

But unity is not necessary now just for Americans; it is desperately needed here too.

In 2008, I went to Ohio and volunteered in the Obama/Biden campaign. I was charged with electric optimism – we felt we were changing the world for the better, working towards a progressive, inclusive global future.

It has been increasingly harder to retain that optimism throughout the following years.

In 2011, a dividing force was unleashed in Scotland from which we have yet to recover, culminating in 2014’s referendum. Scottish nationalism aims to divide Scotland from England, and while it has thankfully not been successful in that, it has divided Scotland itself. We have our own “uncivil war”.

We saw another painful schism throughout the UK with the Brexit referendum placing the population in opposing camps.

I know that many reading this believe the best way to resolve the division of Brexit is for Scotland to leave the UK. But the answer to division is never more division. Wouldn’t it be better to seek common ground wherever we can? Surely this is necessary if we are ever to heal.

Can you imagine how much more we could achieve with a unified people, and a government focussed on the issues that really matter?

The SNP has been in government now for 14 years. And in that time it has managed to change our education system from being at the top of the world league tables to one that is failing our children; allowed our NHS to deteriorate and left our healthcare workers under extreme and constant pressure; and allowed drug deaths to spiral out of control after cutting access to much-needed addiction services.

Instead of working constructively with other parties, as the Scottish Parliament was designed, the SNP government has ignored the day job.

Rather than seek to create fresh division, we must all listen to those with whom we have political differences. Scotland needs a kind, informed and inclusive discourse now more than ever.

Despite all this, I have not lost the optimism that I felt as part of the 2008 Democrat campaign. I find further hope in President Biden’s message of unity and pray that our political leaders take heed.

That also applies to my own party, Scottish Labour, which must avoid a nasty and divisive leadership election. I am encouraged that we have already heard candidate Anas Sarwar put unifying Scotland at the heart of his campaign.

It is time to bring decency, honour, and finding common ground back to our politics again if we are to get through the current crisis and progress to a better tomorrow.

Pamela Nash is chief executive of Scotland in Union and a former Labour MP

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