Grassroots organisations behind independence welcome the vote in Holyrood to propose a new referendum on Scottish independence
PRO-INDEPENDENCE GROUPS have welcomed the vote by Holyrood to grant the Scottish Government permission to seek a Section 30 order and start moves towards a second independence referendum.
The Scottish Government was supported by the Scottish Greens in the vote to authorise First Minister Nicola Sturgeon to seek agreement from the UK Government for another referendum.
The Scottish Tories, Scottish Labour and the Liberal Democrats voted against giving the Scottish Government that consent.
Many of the organisations key to building support for independence on the streets in the 2014 referendum spoke of their enthusiasm for the vote, but warned of the need to begin the “hard work” to secure victory and convince undecided voters.
“Our membership of SMEs and senior managers are steadfast in our shared belief that independence will set Scotland on a more inclusive, greener, confident, equal and economically successful path.” Gordon MacIntyre-Kemp
A spokesperson from the grassroots campaign group, the Scottish Independence Convention (SIC), told CommonSpace: “This is an important step but there’s clearly a way to go yet before we’ll know exactly when Scotland is again going to get to vote on its independence. We’re working hard now to make sure that this time round we’re as prepared as we possibly can be to fight and win a new campaign.”
Women for Independence (WFI) also welcomed the move saying that it was important to remember the plight of EU nationals whose rights still lay unguaranteed by the UK Government. The group has been working on developing support for Scottish independence among women of all ages, among whom support for a ‘Yes’ vote has lagged behind men consistently.
A spokeswoman, on behalf of the group, said: “Women for independence is prepared for a second referendum within the timescale as set out by the First Minister, although we realise that these dates may not necessarily be final. Of course we still support independence. Additionally, we have many members who are EU nationals, who are facing uncertainty about their futures. We want to keep them here in their home in Scotland, and, as things currently stand, independence is the best way of doing this.
“We are already talking to women who did not previously support independence, and we are looking forward to continuing these conversations over the campaign ahead.” WFI
“We are delighted that the Scottish Parliament has supported the call for a second independence referendum. We are already talking to women who did not previously support independence, and we are looking forward to continuing these conversations over the campaign ahead.”
Speaking on the economic case fought on during the referendum, Gordon MacIntyre-Kemp, founder and director of Business for Scotland said: “Business for Scotland welcomes today’s vote in Holyrood to seek a Scottish referendum on independence.
“Following the knife edge 2014 vote, we predicted that all of the promises of the No campaign would be broken and we warned that Scotland could be dragged out of the EU against its will; that is why we did not stop campaigning for independence. Our membership of SMEs and senior managers are steadfast in our shared belief that independence will set Scotland on a more inclusive, greener, confident, equal and economically successful path.”
“We’re working hard now to make sure that this time round we’re as prepared as we possibly can be to fight and win a new campaign.” SIC
His comments come as a new survey by the Market Household Index showed that the UK public has become increasingly pessimistic about the economic impact of Brexit, with only 29 per cent of households surveyed in March believing Brexit will be good for the economy.
MacIntyre-Kemp added: “Access to the single market is vital to Scottish businesses, and Scotland’s economic well-being. Westminster has no plan to lessen the damage of a hard Brexit on Scotland. Article 50 is set to be triggered tomorrow, and so with it triggering a fresh vote on Scotland’s inclusive, international, civic self governance movement. Business for Scotland wants to unlock Scotland’s potential, with extra powers to create sustainable business and economic growth policies, tailored to suit the distinct Scottish business and economic landscape.”
Picture courtesy of Jordi Gabbarro Llop
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