WE'RE offering an entire year of access to The National for just £20 as part of our spring sale – and what better way to convince you to join than with a themed list?
Yesterday, our editor Laura Webster gave you her lengthy pitch in a passionate essay about the newspaper. But we know in this digital age what everyone really wants is the main points, laid out in a punchy way. So without further ado, here are 20 reasons to subscribe for £20.
CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE FOR £20
20 reasons to subscribe to The National for £20
1. We're the only pro-independence daily paper in Scotland. It's nearly been 10 years since the referendum, and the media is still overwhelmingly pro-Union despite around half of Scots wanting out of it.
2. When you have a journalist from a pro-independence outlet at a press conference or huddle, we put forward the questions our readers actually want answered ... not what's been pre-decided by the lobby pack.
3. We don't hide pro-independence marches and rallies like some media outlets. Usually we're there, on Facebook Live, making TikToks and putting together photo galleries of the thousands of committed activists.
4. Despite the decline of newspapers, front pages still have a huge amount of influence over the wider media's coverage. We get otherwise uncovered stories onto the media agenda that way. Plus when members of the public are faced with the front pages at the supermarket, they're reminded that there IS huge support for Scottish independence, whatever other outlets might say.
READ MORE: New Scottish independence poll gives Yes two-point lead
5. Across Scotland, we massively punch above our weight when it comes to setting the agenda. We break important stories that are covered by legacy media outlets because they're so unavoidable. Whether it's the constitution or land reform.
6. Speaking of breaking news, our live coverage is pretty much unbeatable. We're often first to the story in Scotland, so much so that people spoof our social media breaking news alerts. With a subscription, you won't ever miss those urgent breaking stories.
7. With our Westminster correspondent, we're even shaking things up in London. Imagine that – a journalist from a pro-independence paper hassling the likes of Alister Jack and Keir Starmer. They don't like it much, but when we're in the same building, there isn't much they can do about it.
8. Something else those two don't like is our Fact Checks. We host a regular Fact Check service against those big claims that need to be debunked. It started out as just the big common Unionist myths, but now we'll take on everything from arms sales to the economy.
9. And on the economy ... we have a brilliant, varied team of contributors who write on that topic. Our columnists and newsletter writers tackle the big stories of Scotland's economy, and of course what it would look like should we become an independent nation. Richard Murphy, Gordon MacIntyre-Kemp, Scotonomics, Common Weal and more, they all offer an interesting perspective without the scaremongering.
10. We hold Labour to account. It seems all the rage to offer as little scrutiny to Keir Starmer's actions as possible, but if he really is the next PM, he needs to face some more serious questions. Don't miss our Branch Office Updates newsletter every week.
11. We've always spoken up for Palestine. Our coverage of Israel's bombardment of Gaza has led to policy changes and even resulted in us raising £100,000 for Medical Aid for Palestinians. We've been consistent while others sat on the fence.
12. When we say refugees are welcome here, we mean it. Our coverage has led to Home Office U-turns and offered crucial insight into life in the UK as an asylum seeker.
13. Our columnist and contributor line-up is the best in Scotland. You probably won't agree with everything they say, but you'll enjoy joining the debate.
14. Our multimedia offering is pretty great, with livestreams from major events, regular podcasts with leading figures from the independence movement and wider political circles, and a fantastic Europe-focused pod hosted by the wonderful Assa Samake-Roman. BTW, make sure you're following us on TikTok and Instagram.
15. We run in-depth series on the issues Scotland cares about. Our energy past and future, the risks of green freeports, the truth about arms sales ... we don't shy away from the intimidating topics.
16. We involve our subscribers. We often invite them to contribute to special articles and get THEIR questions for key figures ahead of major interviews. We also take their feedback seriously and we're always looking to grow and develop.
17. Michael Gove really hates us and you'd be annoying him by taking out a subscription.
18. Our newsletters are brilliant. Some offer a look behind the scenes in the newsroom, others a special focus on the trade union movement in Scotland, some insider news from Westminster.
19. We're not just politics and news. We're culture, music, literature, travel and more, which you'll get full access to with a subscription.
20. It's our 10-year anniversary this year, but Scotland still isn't independent. We've got a job to finish, so join us and help us get across the line.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
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