The Hug

Our girl did good! 

After the official results had been announced, and she had made her speech, and before she went off with the media crew, Tasmina Ahmed-Sheik, (our girl) went on a bit of a hug fest!

I've got to say that this was - in every way - the opposite of the Referendum night. Instead of those feelings of crushing doubt and then crashing defeat, it was cautious optimism and then double delight as we realised it wasn't just in our seat, but all over Scotland that SNP were gaining massively. 

Instead of huddling together in disappointment while listening to the cheers and 'Hooorahs' of the opposition,this time we smiled and cried, and laughed.  And, I will give us credit for this, sympathised with those of the opposing sides who had all worked as hard as we had for their guys, and whom we knew were hurting badly at the scale of the defeat. 

Tas was being hussled away to give interviews to the telly cameras, but wanted to be in amongst her own people, sharing the joy.  She hugged us all, we hugged her back.  Her lovely husband  filmed it all  on his phone so he could let their 4 kids see their Mum's victory as it happened.

I drove home at 3.30am, listening to Radio Scotland, and hearing how seat after seat had turned SNP.  To those of my lovely Blipmates down south who can't imagine how that felt, all I can say is that it was wonderful.  It made me feel part of a 'Thing'.  Me and my folk had stood together and said 'No more austerity'!  'No more pushing poor people around'!  'No more weapons of mass destruction'! 

I don't know how it will all work out now, because I honestly thought I'd get up today to discover that there was the possibility of a deal of some kind with a Labour party, where we could put Britain back together in a kind and caring way, embodying our Christian values.  It never occurred to me that the Conservatives would get back into power with a majority.

I can tell you now, that I have NEVER been prouder to be Scottish.