FERRIES, cafes and high streets – The National’s special edition created conversations about why Scotland is big enough, rich enough and smart enough for independence.
The eight-page campaign feature in Saturday’s edition aimed to generate 10,000 exchanges about the positive case for independence.
Covering the country’s natural wealth, renewables potential and ingenious citizens, it presented facts and figures on green energy, oil reserves, education and the film and TV industry.
READ MORE: The National to launch major campaign to build a majority for independence
It also presented comparisons with independent nations that are the same size or smaller than Scotland as part of efforts to reframe the conversation around the constitutional issue, debunking the “too wee, too small, too stupid” rhetoric that has been used as a basis for backing No.
Callum Baird, editor of The National, encouraged readers to pick up an additional copy to give to a friend or family member with questions about the subject.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and her deputy Keith Brown were amongst those to back the campaign, tweeting their support on Saturday.
Author AL Kennedy also shared The National’s material on social media, as did former MP Margaret Ferrier, who was out in Cambuslang, South Lanarkshire.
Yes Perth City took the message to the streets of their Fair City, speaking to passers-by from their stall, as did pro-independence stalls at the Holy Fair in coastal town Ayr.
One man told us how he had left his “for others to read” on the Oban to Mull ferry, while another did the same on the Tarbert to Uig service.
Others revealed how they’d left copies in Glasgow cafes and beyond.
Responding to the fact-filled supplement, reader Grace White of Fife said: “Brilliant job! Exactly what’s required. Now, could someone please tell me how much it would cost produce and to post this to every
household in Scotland?
“I think people like to crowdfund a particular event rather than a cause and this would be a wonderful method of ensuring everyone, irrespective of their background, political
allegiance or newspaper use would have the chance to meet some real facts. A wraparound which says all these facts are checkable would be a bonus.”
Commenting on our website, David McDougall said: “I am in Spain just now, but my brother is going to buy me a copy of today’s National. I have a digital subscription so that I can read my favourite newspaper whilst abroad.
“For years we have been told that we are too wee, too stupid and too poor to be independent. I would like to know how other small nations can survive (without oil). The reality is that Scotland can be independent and successful.”
READ MORE: First Minister calls on Yes movement to back our new independence campaign
And Yvonne Stevenson-Robb also commented: “There is a mass of credible, convincing and exciting information everywhere. And more and more people actively considering self-determination for the first time. I’m seeing it more and more.
“I personally can’t wait because I want representative democracy by a sovereign Scottish Parliament that puts Scotland’s interests first. We are ready and able to do an excellent job of managing ourselves.”
Saturday’s edition marks the first in a monthly series of features aimed at advancing the case for independence – and achieving a Yes majority in a second referendum on the issue.
The First Minister has said this could happen in the latter half of next year.
Callum Baird, editor of The National, said: “We’re delighted by the positive response to our Big Enough, Rich Enough, Smart Enough campaign and I’d like to thank everyone who took part in spreading the positive case for Yes by buying a copy of the paper for someone they know. Only by reaching out to people who aren’t Yes yet can we build the support we need to change Scotland’s future.”
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
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