Let’s hold 50,000 conversations on independence: Keith Brown

by Keith Brown
Posted on
6 years ago
2 min read

It hasn’t even been three months since the First Minister tasked me with building the case for independence but I’m pleased to say we’re already making progress.

We’ve held three successful National Assemblies to engage members on the case for an independent Scotland. I’ve set up a Campaign Committee, made up of talented MPs, MSPs and activists from across Scotland. And I’ve announced the development of a new website to engage members online.

 

 

Now it’s time to hit the streets. On Saturday 29 September I am aiming to mobilise a huge number of party members to help make contact and have conversations with 50,000 people in every corner of the country on a day of action.

A snapshot of the nation will give us a deeper understand of how Scots view the UK leaving the EU, within the context of ‘no deal’ and the much maligned Chequers plan and what impact, if any, these outcomes have on the their feelings towards the opportunities of an independent Scotland.

With 125,000 members the SNP is now the second biggest political party in the UK; we have more members than the Tories and proportionally more than Labour do UK wide. It is vital for us to harness this strength and utilise the potential of so many people.

The Westminster parties are riddled with division and on the brink of implosion over Brexit – meanwhile our party and the independence movement have our sights on a far more positive future for Scotland as an independent country.

A recent poll showed a majority would vote for Scottish independence after the UK leaves the European Union.

And the latest Social Attitudes Survey shows that the number of people view independence as a positive for Scotland’s economy now outnumber those who believe otherwise.

So, a fortnight on Saturday, we’ll be talking to people on doorsteps up and down the country, listening to their thoughts and sharing new materials which will help win new supporters for an independent Scotland.

 

 

This day of action, and the development of tools including our soon to be launched new party website, is moving SNP onto a campaign footing.

In the coming months we will step up work to build the fresh case for independence – and as the UK government teeters on the brink of collapse, we will remain campaign ready for any snap general election.

As we face the ever-growing threat of a no deal Brexit that work is more vital than ever.

 

Keith Brown is SNP Depute Leader and Campaign Director.