SCOTS who voted No in the 2014 independence referendum have shared their stories of what made them switch to Yes.
They referenced Brexit, coronavirus and Boris Johnson's Government as the reasons why they changed their minds on the issue six years later.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: "Hard to look back on this day in 2014 without a sad feeling of what might have been. I prefer to look forward with a firm belief in what will be. #indyref2 #Yes"
Hard to look back on this day in 2014 without a sad feeling of what might have been. I prefer to look forward with a firm belief in what will be. #indyref2 #Yes pic.twitter.com/zfbdHcGL4e
— Nicola Sturgeon (@NicolaSturgeon) September 18, 2020
READ MORE: Scottish independence six years on: Lessons we must learn from 2014
SNP MP Neil Gray said next year's Holyrood elections will be a chance to make the case for independence.
He tweeted: "#NoToYes trending across the UK. So many encouraging stories. We must continue to listen to others, debate with respect and make the strong case for Scotland to be independent. The Holyrood elections is where we can say we want our chance to choose our own future #ItsTime"
#NoToYes trending across the UK. So many encouraging stories. We must continue to listen to others, debate with respect and make the strong case for Scotland to be independent. The Holyrood elections is where we can say we want our chance to choose our own future #ItsTime
— Neil Gray MP (@neilgraysnp) September 18, 2020
Here are the best responses:
1.
6 years ago I voted No in #indyref with the belief that Scotland would be stronger in the UK. Since then we’ve seen the UK trash its international reputation, and Scotland be ignored time & time again. We can do better than this. #NoToYes
— Adam Dalgleish (@AdamDalgleish_) September 18, 2020
2.
6 years ago I voted no.
— Jonathan Spink (@J5pink) September 18, 2020
I did it for stability, for more devolution and a strong ScotGov, to ensure friends and loved ones wouldn't have issues staying in the UK and to preserve my EU citizenship.
I was given none of those things for my vote.
Now, #ItsTime #NotoYes #indyref
3.
In the six years since I and 2 million others voted No in #indyref:
— Mark McGeoghegan 🏴🇪🇺🎗️ (@markmcgeoghegan) September 18, 2020
📒The Smith Commission remains unimplemented
🇪🇺 We've been dragged out of the EU against our will
🏴The Tories have put Scottish devolution on the chopping block
I know how I'll be voting next time #NoToYes
4.
Things have changed 6 years on from #indyref1 🏴
— John (@johncraigsax) September 18, 2020
✅ member of @theSNP
✅ Changed from #NotoYes
✅ Accepted into the Indy movement
It’s okay to change your mind and believe in Scotland
We will have our chance again and this time we will win@NicolaSturgeon let’s do it! 💛
5.
#NotoYes. I wasn’t a resident in Scotland last time. I wanted the Union to remain. I was wrong! 5 years living in Scotland now and I am 100% YES! https://t.co/SqNbMcRavW
— Dawn Hunter (@nixon99) September 18, 2020
6.
🏴 Ewan McGregor says "Enough is enough... I’ve changed my tune" as he switches from #NoToYes.
— Yes (@YesScot) September 18, 2020
🗳 “Scottish people want to stay in the EU and the English don’t. I think #ItsTime."
🏴 #YesBecause Scotland's future is an independent, European one. https://t.co/fkiOEPXtqY pic.twitter.com/0l029BcFPn
7.
In 2014 I was too young to vote, but I would’ve voted No.
— stuart smith (@stuartsmith02) September 18, 2020
Like many others, i’ve changed my mind. I strongly believe that independence is the best way to achieve a fairer, more equal society. I can’t wait to get back out and convince others of the same. #NotoYes #indyref pic.twitter.com/YFMFO2wqkm
8.
6 years ago, in the first indyref; I voted no, as I believed at the time it was the right thing to do. Now, 6 years later I’m a strong advocate for Scotland being an independent nation.
— charlie (@charliebanks97) September 18, 2020
We can thrive. We can stand on our own two feet. Time to leave the UK. #Notoyes
9.
My gran, who voted no in 2014 & was a Labour voter said to me after Scotland voted to remain & were ignored.
— Eve Cunnington SNP (@evecunnington) September 18, 2020
“It’s not about me anymore, I won’t be here when it all matters, they can’t be trusted and if I’m still here when we have another one I’ll vote yes” 🏴 #NoToYes pic.twitter.com/wB5vQfPOGR
10.
6 years ago I voted no.
— Andrew Cattanach (@AACattanach) September 18, 2020
I was proud to be both Scottish and British and voted accordingly. I can no longer say the same. I am overwhelmingly proud to be Scottish. Still many questions to be answered but I can feel myself turning from #Notoyes #indyref2 @theSNP
11.
In 2014 I voted no because I wanted unity. Unity with the EU & the UK. I don’t trust the UK government at all & it’s clear they (Tories, not the English) do not like this Scottish anyway. So I t’s with a heavy heart but I am ready to move on. #BorisHasFailedTheNation #NoToYes
— Kickingk (@kickingkans) September 18, 2020
READ MORE: Scottish independence: Yes voters send 'bold statement' to BBC at protest
12.
Absolutely lovely to see #NoToYes trending. Forget all the lies, errors, guilt, regret and even shame. Folks changing their minds on Indy will be pivotal in helping Scotland to stand up and face what will be an inspirational and intensely beautiful future! 😁🏴👍
— Northern Left Voices (@NorthLeftVoices) September 18, 2020
13.
6 years ago I voted yes for a chance to live in a fair and equal Scotland. today I would still vote yes. and I’d vote yes every day until we got independence #AlwaysYes #NoToYes
— melissa #BLM (@asdfghjackb) September 18, 2020
14.
Michael perfectly explains my own reasons for voting no in 2014 and also shares my journey from #NotoYes
— John (@johncraigsax) September 14, 2020
We need candidates able to appeal to the undecided and previous no voters to show them that Independence is our only path back to EU membership 💛 https://t.co/vzWuo831AY
15.
Only #NotoYes will win Indy. We don't need to countenance bullshit, but we need to be open to sincere concerns, reassure people, and make a positive case. https://t.co/Rf2R6XFdLv
— Rivers (@RTVWOW) September 18, 2020
16.
Westminster and the Tories in general take the voting public for mugs! #backfired #indyref #indyref2 #NotoYes https://t.co/fsOTZCDcMg
— Comrade Jock 🏴🌹 (@atrueindyscot) September 18, 2020
17.
A union of equals is a pipedream. I always thought with a sensible competent government in Westminster the case for independence would be weaker. That’s true, but why run the risk of being shackled to the mendacious buffoonery of the Tories ever again? (2/)
— Rod Kelly (@rodkelly50) September 15, 2020
18.
I have changed from #NoToYes on for #indyref2. I don't even feel I need to explain why. Just look at brexit. Look at covid. Its Scotlands time to stand independently & make socially progressive policies that works for everyone & not just the rich.
— D0U613 (@DU66Y82) September 18, 2020
19.
#NoToYes I voted No because Scotland was better off in the EU. We know how that turned out! I want a second chance to help decide Scotland's future, and we'll never get that while our votes are outnumbered by England's every time. Tories? Brexit? We voted against both. #IndyRef2
— Nicholas Nada ニコラスナダ (@nixnada) September 18, 2020
20.
I was 'No' for many years. At the start of the #indyref campaign I was undecided. Then I voted 'YES' 6 years ago even though I still felt British as well as Scottish. I no longer feel British. I'm Scottish. I'm European. I'm an Internationalist. #NoToYes
— Tom (@TomSScotland) September 18, 2020
21.
I voted No 6 years ago because as a scientist I worried about the terrible impact on research if we were forced out of the EU.
— KeengFeesh #FBPE (@FeeshKeeng) September 18, 2020
We've already been forced out of the EU so what do we have to lose, other than the #ToryLiars?
#NoToYes #IndyRef2 #IndependenceIsNormal
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 here