A moment of great promise....

What an election. What a result. I don't think anyone, not even Alex Salmond at his most arrogant, saw that one coming. I suppose I could be sitting here in despair, head in hands, at the dismal vote scored by the SSP, and yes there is a certain sadness at the utter marginalisation of the movement I've been part of for the last 10 years. But those feelings are overwhelmed by excitement and hope, and by visions of the possibilities that this sea-change in Scottish politics bring into being.

The Labour party's stranglehold on the Scottish working class has finally been broken, no longer will we be subject to their conservatism and small-mindedness, to their assumption to rule as of divine right justified in the name of keeping the Tories out. And more excitingly still, is the opportunity before us of escaping the stultifying dead-hand of the Great British State, of moving forward to a democratic independent republic. A republic free from imperialism, free from the burden of trident. A republic whose wealth is built on the latent energy present in our wind and our waves, and where the working class's role in releasing that energy gives us the power to demand our due share of that wealth. A republic of equals, that welcomes those of all Nations who wish to make their home here. A republic of peace and internationalism.

OK, so maybe I'm a bit overexcited, these may turn out to be utopian dreams. I could come up with a billion caveats and grumbles about the likely nature of the SNP government. But right now doesn't feel like the time for that. Now is the time to marshall our forces, to unite those who share our visions. I'm genuinely sorry for using such a cliche, but now is the time to work as if we live in the early days of a better nation.