Nicola Sturgeon sends 1000th edition congratulations to The National

Indeed, more than three years on from this paper’s launch in November 2014, our goal is coming closer, with support for Scottish independence rising as the harmful consequences of Brexit become all too clear.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon was last night among the senior figures to welcome The National’s ongoing contribution to Scottish media landscape.

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She said: “Many congratulations to The National on this landmark edition. It is hugely important in any democracy that the full range of opinions and views are properly and fully reflected across the news media, and since its launch the paper has made an significant contribution in that regard. I look forward to The National continuing to bring its own take on Scotland and our place in the wider world for many, many editions to come.”

Her words were echoed by Scottish Green’s co-convenor Patrick Harvie, a regular contributor to the newspaper, who met founding editor Richard Walker to discuss plans for the publication ahead of its launch.

Harvie said: “I remember in the weeks after the independence referendum meeting Richard Walker for coffee and learning of ambitious plans for a new national newspaper – one that would broaden the range of voices in the ongoing debate over Scotland’s future. I’ve been delighted to contribute to the National since the outset – here’s to the next 1000 editions!”

Ian Blackford, the SNP Westminster leader, was also among the senior politicians who welcomed the paper’s contribution. He said: “Obviously I’m delighted that The National has reached this important landmark. It has added a very important voice to the Scottish media over the course of the past three years,” he said. “It’s filling a gap in the market that perhaps other titles were not addressing and it’s great to see the vigour that The National has brought to the debate on Scotland’s future.

“Not only has it proved to be an important voice over the last three years, it will become an ever increasingly-important one while Scotland goes on the next phase of its journey through the Brexit process and the debate on its constitutional future.”

The National has regularly reported on the work the Common Weal think tank has done in building a new case for independence, examining key issues such as what currency an independent Scotland would use, what its defence policy would be and what type of social security framework it would have.

Common Weal campaign officer Max Wiszniewski said: “One of the best things about The National is that it is so open to many of the great ideas that stemmed from the independence referendum as well as the individuals and organisations that promote them.

“Big ideas for Scotland should be big news, particularly as Scotland is so often faced with regular negative news lines from corporately funded bodies with vested interests.

“The National has given Common Weal, the only grassroots funded think tank in Scotland, a vital platform which has allowed those big ideas to compete with the ‘get back in your box’ mentality. I’m very pleased to say that neither of us are going away anytime soon.”