AN important organisation involved in the Yes campaign is confident it can galvanise grassroots support in the event of a new independence referendum.
Margaret Young, national council member of Women for Independence, said dozens of groups across Scotland “were ready to go” once a new vote was called.
“We have 55 groups all over Scotland and I’m sure that if a referendum is called we would expect to get a lot more people involved,” she told The National. “We have all these groups. They meet regularly in their local communities, are active and are developing their work and are ready.”
Women for Independence have held a series of policy-making meetings around Scotland over the past year in a bid to build up new arguments for independence.
To date, subjects discussed have been food and human rights. Forthcoming sessions will be held on health and well-being, and the economy.
The session on the economy is expected to take place either later this year or early 2018. It will reflect a wider debate in the broader independence movement about the need to build a stronger economic case for independence ahead of a new referendum.
Issues likely to be discussed at the economy session include the tax system, and how to grow the economy and create jobs.
It may also consider concerns around the casualisation of the workforce, as well as the issue of a universal basic income and the benefits system.
“We want to influence the debate and are discussing topics which particularly affect women,” Young said. “The economy is a vast area that probably wasn’t explored as much as it could have been.
“People talk about the currency arguments [being a weak issue] but I don’t want to pick out one issue, I think it was broader than that.
“Perhaps there wasn’t enough detail last time around to convince people about how an independent Scotland would go about things.
“I know there was a lot of information in the White Paper but for people to read it and absorb it they needed more time.”
Young added that people supported independence for different reasons but it was important that the independence argument had to address people’s key needs around living standards, jobs, and desire to live in a prosperous and decent society.
“These are the things that people need to be assured about in order for [the independence movement] to win their confidence,” she added.
Young’s comments came days after First Minister Nicola Sturgeon underlined the need for the independence case to be refreshed.
She told MSPs last week she would not bring in legislation immediately to hold a new ballot, but wait until the terms of Brexit were clear, probably after autumn next year, before doing so. After addressing the issue over the referendum’s timing, she added she would strengthen the argument and for independence.
Sturgeon said: “We will make, and seek to win the case that governing ourselves is the best way to tackle the challenges we face as a country – from building a better balanced and more sustainable economy, to growing our population, strengthening our democracy, and tackling deep seated problems of poverty and inequality.”
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