AN important step in the run-up to the General Election and the second independence referendum will be taken in Edinburgh next Wednesday, October 30, with an evening planned especially to energise activists in and around the capital.

Edinburgh Yes Hub are organising Scotland Moving Forward in the Queen’s Hall, and they have secured the oratorical services of SNP depute leader Keith Brown, National columnists Lesley Riddoch and Paul Kavanagh – as well as the Wee Ginger Dug – plus Lorna Slater, the co-leader of the Scottish Greens.

Mike Blackshaw of the Edinburgh Yes Hub wrote to tell us: “After a very successful showing of the film Norway in the Queen’s Hall one January Sunday lunchtime, it was thought to follow up on that with another kind of event in October, hence Scotland Moving Forward.

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“Music will be provided by the wonderful Amanda Brown and a great duo Johnston and Gordon and we have a great list of speakers.

“We have titled the event as Scotland Moving Forward as we have to look forward as Brexit is dragging us down – we eat Brexit, we sleep it. Yet we should be planning a new Scotland one fit for all to live in.

“On Wednesday 30th October in the Queen’s Hall at 7pm you can judge for yourself.

“The Queen’s Hall is a beautiful venue, it is big and if we have a good crowd, it rocks. It will put all activists in the right frame of mind to fight the upcoming General Election and of course indyref2.

“Doors open at 6pm with the bar and cafe area open, and in this area will be Scottish CND who will update you on the current state of the UN Treaty and of what’s coming up within the organisation.

“You can also join Scottish CND which all independence supporters should do – after all, we say after independence, trident goes. Scottish CND are the activists who keep that to the forefront.

“The Edinburgh Yes Hub is very active but based in a No area we need to survive. Can anyone reading this please help to promote the event? Thanks.”

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The National can reveal that a German television company has asked to come along and film the event and there is also interest from press that do not normally cover pro-independence events – perhaps they are finally waking up to what’s going on in Scotland and need to find out more about the Yes movement.

Tickets are priced £7 and £5 concessions and VIP tickets are priced £30 – the latter tickets, limited to 20, get you a front row seat and access to the green room where you can meet the stars of the show. To book the VIP tickets please visit www.edinburgyeshub/info or contact the Queen’s Hall at www.thequeenshall.net/whats-on/scotland-moving-forward or phone the box office on 0131 668 2019.