QUIETLY and almost invisibly, an important component within the Yes movement is coming under attack. It’s nothing to with police search warrants or even the dirty tricks we have come to expect of the Unionists, but a combination of the cost-of-living crisis and apathy.

The Yes Hubs have existed for more years than many of us had hoped for, but now sadly are beginning to close.

There appears to be, in my humble opinion, two main reasons for this.

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One: The obvious rising costs of power and rent are taking their toll, and the stalwarts that have gallantly financed and operated these hubs over the years are finding the task more and more difficult. Many, if not most, are of a certain age and mobility which doesn’t make their task any easier. But what used to keep morale up was visiting Yes supporters. Getting to meet new and old activists is a great boost, you can go home at the end of the day feeling you’re not alone. These visitors generally leave a donation to the upkeep of the hubs and their work, and believe me every pound given is appreciated. But numbers have fallen, as have donations, which brings me to the elephant in the room.

Two: Apathy! The Yes movement is vast in numbers and varied in ideas on how independence should and will be obtained. But they apparently seem to prefer to sit at home behind their computers than manning or supporting their local hubs and street stands. This may well be the fault of the hubs by appearing too set in their ways and seemingly unwelcoming. If it is, then it’s not deliberate, but perhaps being left alone has made them that way.

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If the visitors stop coming then quite simply the hubs will inevitably fail, and the loss of a resource such as hubs will eventually make campaigning for Yes so much harder.

A hub is so much more than simply a place for a cup of tea and a chocolate biscuit (chocolate never guaranteed). It is a place to plan campaigns, to get literature, to speak your mind, to talk to like-minded people, to air your doubts, the list goes on and on. But when you turn up and it’s gone, another empty shop on the high street, ask yourself if there was something you could have done to help to keep it open. That answer will inevitably be yes.

It’s a resource the movement cannot afford to lose. If you just stopped going or giving, think about it again. If you weren’t happy with the way it was run then walking away won’t change anything, come back and sort out what you see as a problem.

I see the hubs as an asset that the Unionists don’t have and one they fear, so don’t let them disappear. It’s up to you now. Do you really want to lose your street presence because of a few pounds and a “canny be bathered” attitude?

Bill Golden
Forfar, Angus

WHAT Brian Lawson wrote (Letters, Apr 24) about the need for independence supporters to endeavour to make sure of facts referenced, and generally to aim to achieve higher standards than those writing to sustain the broken Union, is wise advice.

What Brian omitted from that advice and what disappointingly was missing from his letter was appropriately considered balance and objective context.

While the “huge” cost of Labour PFI schemes was mentioned without any numbers, the figure for building a small basic ferry launched under a previous Labour administration was quoted. Each and every year, the cost of PFI schemes adopted under Labour is running at more than the highest estimate of the total cost of the two relatively large but regrettably delayed dual-fuel ferries, amounting to a total estimated PFI cost to Scotland of around £40 billion.

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Furthermore, if tempted to discuss government shipbuilding we should aim to do better than many working with apparently questionable professionalism for the UK mainstream media and at least provide some comparative context, such as the building of two aircraft carriers more than £3 billion over budget, six years late and without the aircraft planned.

On the broader topic of government procurement, the funds committed by the UK Government, including Scotland’s not inconsiderable contributions, has seen tens of billions of pounds lost due to the supply of unusable PPE and a non-functioning track-and-trace service while high-speed rail, primarily serving the south of England, is now not only likely to be many years, if not decades, late, but cost more than £100 billion (many times the original cost).

It is frustrating, to say the least, that we continue to be constantly subjected to one-sided stories from the BBC and the mainstream media that, directly or indirectly, promote the Union without even a semblance of balance that might suggest some political objectivity or reflect the split of constitutional opinion in Scotland. Of course, government at every level must be encouraged to perform better in the future management and shrewd expenditure of public money, but all supporters of independence should aspire to “do better” in broadly promoting self-determination.

Stan Grodynski
Longniddry, East Lothian

IT was so encouraging to read your article “New homes and croft plan to regenerate Glen” (Apr 24). Community-based organisations coming together for the benefit of their communities and to secure a future for those communities.

The proposed “woodland crofts” will benefit the community with the plantation of trees, a huge benefit environmentally.

So, well done to the community activists who are taking this project forward and regenerating our rural communities.

Catriona C Clark
Falkirk