A MEMBER of the SNP’s national executive has called for Scotland to set up its own Yes campaign for any future referendum on membership of the European Union.
Toni Giugliano – who was head of interest groups at Yes Scotland during the indyref campaign – will today address three pro-Europe groups in London on how to replicate the Yes campaign’s grassroots success.
He said there was widespread belief that a referendum on Europe was inevitable in the next decade, regardless of the outcome of May’s General Election.
Yes Scotland had 300 local and 50 special-interest sectors across the country. Giugliano initiated and set up groups such as Generation Yes, Farming for Yes and Yes LGBT.
Speaking before today’s meeting, Giugliano told The National: “What we achieved in Scotland in terms of galvanising people in the democratic process was exemplary. Campaigns across the world now look up to that success with a view to replicating it.
“It’s in the SNP’s strategic interest to ensure Scotland delivers a resounding Yes vote. That’s why it must take the reins and lead a progressive campaign that people can relate to.
“A London-based Yes campaign with unelected peers, half the Tories and multinationals waving a Union flag simply won’t work in Scotland. The issues are also very different. What’s important to the City of London and the South East may be of little relevance to Scotland and vice versa. A Scottish Yes campaign would focus purely on issues that matter in Scotland.
‘We’re more likely to talk about inward investment to Scotland, farming subsidies, green energy and social rights than the pros and cons of bankers’ bonuses.
‘I’m also not convinced Scots are as interested in the UKIP-led obsession on immigration.”
Alyn Smith MEP said: “A recent poll showed that 60% of people in Scotland believe that a UK exit from the European Union should only be possible if each of the four nations of the UK - Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland - vote to leave, with only 14% disagreeing.
“Significantly, this democratic safeguard against Scotland being dragged out of Europe against our will is supported by a strong majority of people who voted No in the referendum as well as Yes - and by supporters of all political parties, people of all ages, all social backgrounds, and in every part of Scotland.
“A strong team of SNP MPs elected in May will ensure that Scotland’s voice isn’t drowned out by the Euro-hostility inspired by UKIP at Westminster - and will propose an amendment to any in/out EU referendum Bill requiring ‘four nation consent’ before the UK can exit Europe.”
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 here