WHEN will Scotland become independent? May 31st, according to David Lee Knight’s recently published novel, Scotland – Independence Day.
The year, however, is left much more open.
“It’s sometime in the next couple of years,” Knight told the Sunday National.
And it isn’t achieved by entirely peaceful means – in fact, it’s through a military and political coup.
But the book starts out in 1979, following a group of disparate people, over many years, as they campaign for Scottish independence.
There is Richard, a “single mindedly charismatic character” who starts off as a cadet working his way up in the army in Scotland.
“Just like the population – at least 50% of them are pro-independence, probably more because of their background of typically being more working class,” Knight said.
“So it wouldn't be too difficult to envisage a guy building up a network, starting with the officers, which is what Richard does.”
Then there are the more “politically minded" characters, the likes of Isobel and Karen who hold strong socialist views.
“They don't just want independence either,” Knight said.
“They see the problems that need to be solved [in Scotland] and realize that governments can achieve it because politicians have to get re-elected – they can't make really hard decisions.
“So they endlessly discussed how to improve things.”
But it’s after the 2014 referendum when it all really starts to heat up.
“The characters set up a political party – the Caledonian Independence Party – and start setting out an agenda,” Knight said.
It all starts to come together when Simon, a multi-billionaire owner of a gambling empire, agrees to finance the group.
But what was meant to be a bloodless revolution doesn’t end up that way, including a battle at Faslane, a submarine hijacking and a shoot out on the famous steps in the heart of the Scottish Parliament.
But the book, Knight says, isn’t just about independence – it’s about the struggle and desire for a better politics.
It also, the author is keen to stress, certainly not a guide or what he’d advocate for Scotland or the indy movement. It is a work of fiction, after all.
And besides, while Knight is pro-independence now – he wasn’t always.
‘In 2014 I was a definite No voter. Not necessarily because I didn't think Scotland should have independence,” he said.
“I just didn't think the Yes campaign made a good case of how they could run it all any better than Westminster.”
Knight added: “You know, I don't have a very high regard for politics or government, not only in the UK, but worldwide. You only have to look at America, Russia or Israel – politics, seems to have compacted to this elite group that don't have much understanding of what people go through.”
While writing this novel, his feelings on the state of politics didn’t change – but his feelings on independence did.
“I was writing the book and I could see that there were ways you could change [Scotland], he said.
Knight then mentions a quote from Alasdair Gray, which he uses to start his debut novel.
It reads: “I believe an independent country run by a government not much richer than the People has more hope than one governed by a big rich neighbour.”
“It wasn't quite as simple as that because, after the referendum, I began to think maybe it should have been a Yes,” he said.
“Because I think a small country could be better run.”
Scotland – Independence Day is published by Grosvenor House Publishing Ltd and is available now at all the major stores including Amazon, Waterstones and Barnes and Noble.
