MY first recollection of door knocking for the SNP was during a wintry council by-election in Broughty Ferry in the mid 80s.
While the SNP won, support for independence was a long way behind support for our candidate, Ken Guild. Indeed, at 11-12%, it is interesting that now support for independence regularly exceeds four times that level. Perseverance pays.
READ MORE: Line up for SNP's Annual Party Conference announced
Now, fresh off the back of three highly energised national assemblies – and as we look forward to SNP conference in Glasgow next month– I’m focused on ensuring that the SNP day of action on Saturday 29 September is a day to remember.
READ MORE: SNP set to discuss 19 issues at Annual Party Conference
We are creating new materials which SNP activists will use to take the message of independence to people right across the country. And we’ll be listening to what voters have to say including what impact, if any, the UK leaving the EU has on their feelings towards the opportunities of an independent Scotland.
We are already seeing encouraging signs.
Significantly, the latest Social Attitudes Survey shows that the number of people who view independence as a positive for Scotland’s economy now exceeds those who believe otherwise.
A healthy strong economy is in everyone’s interests and with Brexit coming down the track for the UK, people are right to look for alternatives.
And the wonderfully named Best for Britain poll showed a majority would now back Scottish independence after the UK leaves the European Union.
These are just straws in the wind, suggesting the tide is turning in our favour, but we have much groundwork still to do.
I’m looking for large large numbers of party members to join us on the Day of Action. The information that we glean that day will enhance our understanding of where the nation is.
And you might have heard, the SNP has now got 125,000 members – making us the second biggest political party in the UK, ahead of the Tories UK wide and proportionally ahead of Labour too.
The mini surge earlier in the summer, following the Westminster walkout, saw 7000 people join in just five days.
And as a report on the findings of an independent study by a prominent academic has revealed there has been a marked increase in the percentage of the new members who are under 35-years-old. It found 21% in this younger age bracket represents double the percentage of young people that joined in the post-referendum surge of 2014.
I do hope to see and hear some of that new youthful energy that we are so privileged to have in our ranks a week on Saturday.
Over and above the doorstep conversations – and we’re aiming for 50,000 of them on one day – I’m really looking forward to mixing with new and old members and following the activity across the country on social media.
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
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel