THE Yes DIY pages are always delighted to report on new groups starting up so we are happy to tell you about the inaugural meeting of the Stirling and Clackmannanshire Pensioners for Independence, which will take place tomorrow in the Dunblane Centre in Stirling from 12.30-2.30pm.
To be known as Stirling and Clacks Pensioners 4 Indy, the new group will establish itself with the help of a recently formed women’s group, Butterflies Rising, who are facilitating tomorrow’s meeting One of the organisers told the National: “There are several P4Indy groups throughout the country – it’s time the heart of Scotland had one too.“
One of the founding members will be David Shearer, 83, from Callander, who has been campaigning and working for independence for almost 60 years. He was out leafleting around his beautiful home town yesterday.
“I’m going along to help found the new group and I certainly think there’s a demand for it in this area,” Shearer told The National.
“I have been doing this work for independence since 1961 and I really think things are looking good for the cause of independence just now.”
The retired surveyor, who worked for Cumbernauld Development Corporation for 37 years until the Tory government of John Major wound up Scotland’s five New Towns, has a point to make about the way that elderly people were blamed for Yes’s loss of the campaign in 2014.
He said: “We are always getting told that we old people were to blame for the No side winning, but a lot of people had doubts about things.
“Anybody of pension age that I have spoken to recently who was a No voter is either thinking about or has already said they are changing their minds.
“It’s happening because people are now more politically aware. Older people can think for themselves and they’re not liking what they are seeing.
“Yes, Brexit and Boris Johnson are making people think again about independence. The NHS and the education of our young people are big concerns for older people and they now realise the only way want to protect them is through independence.
“Our wealth is better known now and we know what we want to do as country – it’s about getting independence to do it.”
Shearer, who is originally from Caithness, warned the Prime Minister not to stand in the way of a Section 30 agreement: “That would be the finish – I don’t think Scots of all ages stand for it.”
If you are starting a Yes group or have developments to report from an existing organisation, please let us know by e-mailing us via community@thenational.scot.
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