FORMER SNP depute leader Angus Robertson has led calls for Scots to play a leading part in achieving a People’s Vote on Brexit via a swathe of campaigning and events in the new year.
On January 12, a national action day of campaigning will take place, including leafleting and street stalls in communities across Scotland. This is just days before the meaningful vote on the Prime Minister’s deal is held in the House of Commons.
The European Movement in Scotland is also holding a rally in Edinburgh on January 26.
“Scotland voted to stay in the EU much more decisively than the UK as a whole voted Leave,” Robertson said.
“Being in Europe is good for Scotland, and a People’s Vote is a democratic opportunity for Scotland’s wishes to be respected.”
READ MORE: SNP MEP calls for investigation into £107m post-Brexit ferry contracts
Kerry Buist, who has been working as a campaign manager for the People’s Vote, has been appointed as director of Scotland for a People’s Vote and announced that it has stepped up its activity across the country.
Robert Gordon University guest lecturer Buist previously worked in campaigning roles with the Conservative Party and attended the Women’s Campaign School at Yale Law School in June 2015.
“Scotland can lead the way in achieving a People’s Vote, which is why we are stepping up activity and organisation in the new year”, she said.
“We are a campaign for people of all parties and no party, and strong majorities exist in Scotland both for a People’s Vote and to stay in the EU.
“We need to reinforce the strength of the campaign in Scotland and replicate it elsewhere in the UK.”
READ MORE: Tory government slammed for 'consciously failing' vulnerable refugees
The People’s Vote is a grassroots campaign supported by its constituent groups, including the European Movement UK, the European Movement in Scotland, Open Britain, Scientists for EU, Healthier In, Our Future Our Choice, For Our Future’s Sake, Britain for Europe, Wales For Europe and InFacts.
Recent polling indicates that two-thirds of people in Scotland want a People’s Vote, and 70% would vote to Remain in the European Union.
The research, published by Best for Britain and HOPE not hate, found that support for Remain in Scotland was at 69.6%, compared to 62% in June 2016.
UK-wide constituency research also revealed that 422 of 632 constituencies now have majority support for Remain, up from 229 in the 2016 referendum.
A People’s Vote has already received the support of parties and parliamentarians across the Scottish political spectrum.
Mark Lazarowicz, who is chair of the European Movement in Scotland and a former Labour MP, commented: “A People’s Vote has already attracted the support of parties and parliamentarians representing some 70% of Scottish MPs, which shows how strong the European ideal is in Scotland.”
There were some SNP figures who suggested that a People’s Vote would be a tactical error over fears it could set a precedent for a re-run of a successful independence referendum.
But First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said that the need for a second EU vote stems from a lack of detail given to voters in 2016 which would not be the case in a future independence vote.
An SNP spokesperson previously said: “We have made it clear that we would push strongly for any second EU referendum to have safeguards to ensure Scotland’s voice is protected in the event of Scotland voting Remain again while the UK as a whole voted to leave.
“This position was agreed by SNP conference.”
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.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel