The 45

In the aftermath of the EU referendum, I see some people in England who voted to remain are identifying themselves as one of "The 48%."

This is presumably to make a statement affiliating themselves with what they regard are positive, progressive, outward looking, internationalist attitudes and values and to disassociate themselves from what they consider to be the negative attitudes that resulted in the referendum outcome.

This reminded me of the way some of us in Scotland identified ourselves as one of "The 45," following the First Scottish Independence referendum (2014) in which 45% of us voted for Independence on positive, progressive, inclusive, outward looking and internationalist grounds.

So here is a short poem I wrote in 2014 during that period of crushing disappointment following the outcome on that occasion. There are so many similarities between the two occasions, and Scots are already very familiar with the utter corruption and degradation of our media and politics by the establishment as a consequence of their experience in 2014.

How can you tell if someone is one of the 45?
Do they know the difference between the wrong and the losing side? 
Does defeat only serve to fortify their hopes with determination
to persevere and take back power from complacent politicians?
Is their voice one of ten thousand joined to amplify a whisper 
if its words need to be heard? Do they ask how can one prosper
if others are left impoverished? Do they refuse to cower?
Do they disregard the thunderous irrelevance of power
that usurps every news source, hijacks every television?
Do they carry on regardless with their perfect revolution?

45 is more than a number. 45 is a line in the sand. 
45 means this far and no further with fear and lies in this land.
45 is a number that will increase to 100 percent
and if you can answer these questions, 
maybe you're already one of them.

(The rhymes don't work if you substitute 48 for 45 unfortunately)