IT is that time of year when most of us make New Year resolutions and hopefully some of them will last all through 2021 and beyond, especially if that resolution is to help Scotland regain its independence.
This time last year we were in the final weeks of the countdown to the UK leaving the European Union, much against the will of the Scottish people.
Many Yes groups joined with their fellow Europeans across the country to protest at the UK Government’s action, and this year the anger is still there and growing as we count down to the end of the transition period, which officially ceases at 11pm tomorrow night, December 31.
One local Yes group is determined that we will not go silently into the dark night of post-Brexit horrors for Scottish industry, for our farmers and fisherfolk, for our students banned from the Erasmus programme and all the Scots who will suffer because of a Brexit inflicted upon us.
Yes Kirriemuir has decided to mark Brexit night with a Hogmanay hashtag campaign which makes a positive affirmation for Scotland as a New Year’s resolution.
It’s an imaginative idea. Yes Kirriemuir told us: “So Brexit is upon us but we are restricted in what actions we can take and, sneaky as ever, Westminster’s decision to take us out at 11pm on Hogmanay limits the effectiveness of pan-bashing or other noisy activities as folk might mistake it for early New Year carousing.
“Yes Kirriemuir has decided to mark Brexit with a positive affirmation #ForScotland. We invite everyone to join us with a hashtag campaign.
“We want to demonstrate that indy campaigners are, and will remain, very active campaigners against our forced removal from the EU and all of the de-EUing which we are now to be subjected to, until such time as Scotland is free to rejoin our European friends and neighbours.
“Please share an image of your choice with a slogan beginning: #IResolve ... and including the word #Scotland or #Scottish.
“Please get sharing your own ideas and spread the word.”
Yes Kirriemuir has already got the ball rolling across social media with: “#IResolve to work for #Scottish #Independence.
“What do you resolve to do #ForScotland and all of her people? #IResolve to be a voice #ForScotland #Independent #Equal #European Will you? #ScotlandCan.”
We should point out that the picture above was taken before the rules on social distancing came in in response to the coronavirus pandemic.
It shows members of Yes Kirriemuir and some other local citizens, who joined spontaneously, and was taken during a 12-hour vigil for Scotland in Europe, in solidarity with European Scots, on January 31, 2020 in Kirriemuir Town Square.
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 hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel