ONE of the most active Yes groups in the country can be found on the west coast of the central belt, where Yes Inverclyde is determined to be ready for the next independence referendum campaign.
Agnes McAuley wrote to tell us what the group has been up to, especially their work to promote The National, for which we are grateful. We’re delighted to report that we’ve seen a 10% increase in sales in their area since they’ve started their latest campaign to promote us. “Over the last year we have been acquiring the skills and expertise to campaign effectively,” Agnes wrote in a thoughtful missive to the Yes DIY Hub.
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“Working in co-operation, the local SNP branch, nascent Yes Inverclyde and Inverclyde for Independence have put this into practice, preparing the ground should there be a second referendum.
“Since the SNP is the de facto leading edge of the movement for independence, much has been done under its auspices.
“Since September last year we have hosted a very successful series of events entitled Talks for a Better Nation. Open to the public, advertised on social media and Eventbrite and held in the fabulous waterside venue of the Beacon Arts Centre in Greenock. These events have attracted audiences of up to 100 people.
“Professor Guy Standing has spoken on Universal Basic Income, Lesley Riddoch on the Nordic nations, Andy Anderson on a Scottish Currency and Tommy Sheppard on the road to a second referendum. Positive Money and the campaign for fossil fuel divestment have also featured.
“We have had Mike Russell on Brexit and before the summer we will have Craig Dalzell on GERS and the latest from Common Weal. Gordon MacIntyre-Kemp on business and the economy is also being lined up.
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“Moreover, we have the technical know-how to make the talks available as podcasts and we have a site dedicated to this which we regularly promote on social media and in emails to various groups such as Inverclyde Women for Independence.
“We have established a media and campaign team and have been learning how to use social media more effectively, harnessing the writing talent of supporters. Take a look at Facebook pages such as Cut to the Chase and Inverclyde Free Press which have been set up to carry insightful commentary on local and national stories and regularly reach thousands of readers.
"The aim has been to raise the level of debate and improve the quality of information available to those curious enough to read. We have been mindful that our readership could include waverers so standards must be kept high.”
Today in Inverclyde, the group is giving away free copies of The National. Agnes said: “Our latest campaign is Say Yes! to The National which followed on from a Burns Night visit to Port Glasgow of the Wee Ginger Dug and The National Roadshow.
“We have recently reintroduced the Yes Inverclyde Facebook page and Twitter and are piloting a campaign to promote sales and subscriptions. If this is successful, we hope other groups will follow suit.
“Our social media build-up began with a light-hearted photo competition of people reading The National and ends with an Eventbrite organised group photo in one of the main squares with people clutching their copies. Look up the Yes Inverclyde Facebook page to follow.”
At The National we are all grateful for the work that Yes Inverclyde and so many other groups do to promote us.
Editor Callum Baird said: “We had a fantastic time at our Roadshow event in Port Glasgow – Inverclyde voted for independence and it’s great to see that we’ve got a strong group of readers who have been doing their ‘National Service’ to help promote the paper!”
If you are in a Yes group, please let us know what you are up to and if there’s anything we can do to help: community@thenational.scot.
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