IN a textbook example of how pro-independence groups can work locally, for the past 10 weeks Greenock and Inverclyde SNP have been bringing the Westminster power grab to the notice of the public in their area.
The Westminster decision to wreck the devolution settlement has provoked the activists on the Lower Clyde to go out and explain local people exactly what the Tories are up to.
They told us: “Apart from having numerous ‘power grab’ street stalls in order to talk directly to the public, the branch produced their own in-house leaflets.
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“These leaflets have a very striking front page and an information section on the reverse.
“The section covers the threats from Westminster’s power grab to the Scottish health service, workers’ rights, food standards, dairy produce and our ban on fracking. Many branch volunteers – including some from the 112 new members who joined the local branch due to the lack of time given to a debate on devolution issues connected to Brexit – have delivered the power grab leaflets to more than half the population of Inverclyde.”
Interestingly, a number of SNP branches and Yes organisations around Scotland have since asked to be supplied with thousands of Inverclyde’s power grab leaflets. They continued: “The very successful summer campaign is now drawing to a close. And to finish off the campaign, a roadside billboard on the A78 between Port Glasgow and Greenock has been adorned with the striking front image from the leaflet with the title Hands Off Scotland’s Powers, introducing some to the original message and reinforcing it in others.
“A fun get-together with branch officials and Inverclyde MP Ronnie Cowan was organised on the day that the billboard was unveiled.
“As the customary photographs were being taken, many passing motorists indicated their support by sounding their horns and waving.”
Mark Saunders, press and media officer for Greenock and Inverclyde SNP, said: “The object of our summer campaign was twofold: we wanted to send a loud and clear message from Inverclyde to Westminster – hands off Scotland’s Parliament. And we wanted to inform the public on how the power grab poses a risk to our present way of life in Scotland.
“It has been a very successful campaign, and one of which we are extremely proud. Many people on the doorsteps of Inverclyde have shown great interest in how the Westminster power grab on the Scottish Parliament will affect them.
“It is rewarding to see all our hard work being appreciated not only by general public of Inverclyde but also by other SNP branches and Yes groups across Scotland.”
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