Scottish election 2021: Unionists now need to listen to case for independence and realise how terrible Boris Johnson's government really is – Helen Martin

The constituency vote, which is what the UK election is based on, made it absolutely clear that the SNP had a massive majority with 62 seats in comparison with only five for the Tories, four for Lib Dems, and two for Labour.

Of course, our regional list established a new result with 64 for SNP, 31 for Tories, 22 for Labour, eight for the Greens and still four for Lib Dems.

And that is what TV channels delivered on Sunday morning, with the regrettably true statement, that Nicola Sturgeon had failed to win an “outright” majority as the SNP needed one more seat!

Probably backed by Greens, they effectively have a majority and it’s certainly sufficient to continue plans for an indyref and eventually re-joining the EU. Conservatives and Labour, who worked together with “tactical” voting to support each other, are gutted but still determined to battle for unionism.

Westminster seem to be surprised and shocked that most Scots still vote for the SNP, with Boris Johnson now appealing to all devolved governments to work together – something to which Wales and Scotland would never agree.

But it is obvious that if the UK government also had our regional list system, Johnson could not behave like a dictator, even in England.

It will be a couple of years (if Covid is under control) before the campaign and thorough explanation for independence begins.

By then it’s highly likely that the UK, and therefore Scottish, economy will be still in a dire situation with Brexit, the maintenance of tax havens, high tax on ordinary “lower and middle-class” people, the increasing loss of the NHS, children in poverty, insufficient rise in pensions, billions spent on so much nonsense from a Royal yacht to renewal of Trident, and the constant aim to serve the rich and pay wealthy supporters with public tax.

In Scotland, there is a chance that those who voted for Labour and Lib Dems will begin to understand independence is based not on the goal of “nationalism”.

Being back in the EU, having a better economy, maintaining the NHS, boosting industry and trades, condemning racism, dealing with climate change, and always prioritising the people, particularly those suffering from poverty, is just a part of it. When it’s all explained, even a few Conservative voters might accept that route for survival.

Nicola Sturgeon has been interviewed and featured around the world, especially in Europe. She is admired. We already have had many indications we would be welcome back in the EU.

It seems that the rest of the UK, and even unionists in Scotland, don’t understand anything about independence and cannot accept or realise what a terrible Conservative government rules Westminster.

Our election is done. But what is desperately needed for Scotland is that our unionists don’t shove in their ear plugs, listen only to Conservatives, just read the Telegraph, the Daily Mail and the Express, and focus on the Tory-led BBC. At least listen to Nicola Sturgeon, SNP policies and plans for a better future.

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