Irvine Welsh on Scottish independence

Trainspotting author Irvine Welsh has been talking to Hot Press about his views on the upcoming referendum on Scottish independence, to be held on September 18th.
“I'm pro, and I think it's pretty much inevitable,” the controversial 55-year-old writer told Hot Press’ Olaf Tyaransen. “The British state hasn't been able to meet the aspirations of any of its citizens, bar the very highest elites in society, for about 35 years now, and has pretty much given up trying.
“There's nothing sadder than the weary Groundhog Day mantra of 'Vote Labour and we'll sort it all out.' We've been doing that and it hasn't happened, with zero indication that it will.”
Whatever the eventual result, Welsh reasons that the debate has been good for Scottish democracy.
“Whether there will be a YES or NO vote at the referendum isn't the most important factor,” he says. "I think the interesting thing is how people have become active in grassroots politics again. Having scented that power, they won't give it up readily, and the process towards self-determination will continue. Yes, there are obnoxious wankers on both sides of the debate, but I'm optimistic that most people care about the future of their country and are enjoying having the power to determine it.”
Always prolific and in-demand, coming off the success of the movie version of Filth, Welsh is currently involved in the production of the Hollywood movie Spring Breakers: The Second Coming. He speaks to Olaf about his latest novel The Sex Lives Of Siamese Twins in the next issue of Hot Press (out July 10). He also exclusively reveals the details of his tenth novel, which will appear sometime in 2015.

“The next novel is called A Decent Ride,” he explains, "and marks the return of Juice Terry [from 2001’s Glue] to active service.”

(*) The Irvine Welsh interview will appear in Hot Press on July 10th.