IN MY opinion, The National has a unique place in British journalism at present.
It is, of course, the only newspaper in Scotland that supports the independence cause. That means that it is, uniquely, on the right side of history at this moment. It has every reason to be proud of that.
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However, as importantly, it is also the only daily national newspaper in the UK as a whole that provides a regular platform for those who are challenging the neoliberal orthodoxy that is driving Western democracy into ruin.
No other newspaper, including the supposed bastions of the left like the Guardian, does anything like this.
READ MORE: The Economist, FT or Bloomberg: They represent the orthodoxy in economics.
To its enormous credit, The National realises that these two causes are intimately related.
Unless an independent Scotland can break free from the economic orthodoxy that is typified by Westminster’s two largest parties, the UK Treasury and the Bank of England, then it can never make independence work.
READ MORE: Cornell University professor gives currency advice on SNP policy
What The National has appreciated is the significance of linking these two issues that could, together, liberate Scotland to achieve its own potential.
I am immensely grateful to The National for the opportunity to argue for both these causes, and in one place.
The paper deserves full credit for all that it is doing not just in Scotland but as a place where alternative economic thinking is given the chance to flourish in a way that does not happen anywhere else.
None of this would be possible without you - our readers.
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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
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