INDEPENDENCE-supporting politicians praised The National’s #indyref20202 rally at the weekend, after thousands flocked to Glasgow's George Square.
MPs, MSPs and councillors joined citizens from around the country at the high-profile event in Glasgow on Saturday.
Scottish Government ministers including Derek Mackay and Aileen Campbell attended with their families to see a line-up of speakers from across the Yes movement lead calls for democratic change.
Justice Secretary Humza Yousaf, who was amongst the line-up, said he was “absolutely buzzing” after giving his address, telling followers on Twitter: “As a Glasgow boy I’m proud of this Yes City for turning out in incredible numbers. With passionate supporters & tonnes of hard work we are going to win this for Scotland!”
Former MP Angus Robertson attended with his wife, while SNP MSPs Fulton MacGregor and Jenny Gilruth formed a “Lanarkshire and Fife tag team”, holding a Saltire between them.
READ MORE: Westminster parties 'buckling under pressure' of demand for independence
Glasgow Maryhill and Springburn MSP Bob Doris hailed the “party atmosphere” in the city’s George Square and Angela Crawley, who is standing for re-election to the Lanark and Hamilton East seat, called the mood “incredible”.
The roster of speakers was capped by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon in her first independence rally address since 2014.
Telling the crowd that the NHS, workers’ rights and environmental standards are “on the line” under a Boris Johnson-led UK Government, she stated : “The Scotland we seek is open, welcoming, diverse and inclusive and no Tory is ever going to be allowed to change that.”
Jackson Carlaw, the interim leader of the Scottish Tories, responded to those words yesterday, telling social media followers: “Sturgeon here is of course, hectoring & divisive. Pitching Scot against Scot all over again.
“A painful echo of the notoriously over confident, ill-judged ‘92 Kinnock Sheffield rally.
“We need to put this division behind us.”
At the rally on Saturday, members of the public outlined their reasons for backing a fresh referendum on Scotland’s future.
Lorraine King, 63, from Glasgow, said: “This country should be independent, the union is holding us back and taking from us every year. It’s a disgrace. We can sustain ourselves.”
Clydebank woman Monique Wright said her experience as a carer and mother to two children with autism, Asperger’s and other needs had shaped her political views.
The 51-year-old said: “It’s become quite hostile for them. I want them to have a future that holds more, that concentrates on ability rather than disability, showing that these people are valuable and they can contribute to society.”
Calling for compassion, she went on: “Carers like myself are worthless in the eyes of the state. You’re constantly called on to prove yourself.”
The event was designed to give the Yes movement a chance to come together and saw some online activists meet in person for the first time.
On her reasons for attending, Wright’s sister Gabby Kelly, 54, a legal secretary, said: “It’s important to turn up in person and show support, rather than relying on computers to do it.”
READ MORE: SNP councillor loses landmark independence discrimination case
While some attendees were veterans of Yes marches and campaigns, the rally was the first such event for others.
Paisley office worker Ross McKenzie, 36, travelled to the rally with friends. He said: “I haven’t been to any of the All Under One Banner marches, but I had to come out to this.
“I didn’t know what to expect, but it’s incredible to see so many people here.
“Sometimes it seems impossible and it seems like too much to hope for, but I really hope that we do get indyref2 next year, and that we get a Yes majority.
“We can’t lose it twice.”
In the coming weeks, only subscribers will be able to comment on The National articles. Subscribe now or log in to make sure you stay a part of the conversation.
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. What should we do with our second vote in 2021? What happens if Westminster says no to indyref2?
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 conversation, register under fake names, and post vile abuse. We’ve had hundreds of emails from you complaining about this, asking us to take steps to ensure that these people aren’t given a platform on our site.
We’re listening to you, and here’s how we plan to make that happen.
We have decided to make the ability to comment only available to our 10,000 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.
We’ll be monitoring this change over the first few weeks, and we’re keen to know your thoughts. Email us at letters@thenational.scot if you want to have your say.
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Last Updated:
Are you sure you want to delete this comment?
Report This Comment