This is how we get the Scottish Borderlands to vote Yes with us

The polls reflect a growing upwards trend in support for independence, but polls aren’t votes and we can take nothing for granted. We must make the case for independence at every opportunity and we must make it convincingly – in every part of Scotland. And we need to pay particular attention to those areas where progress is most elusive.

It’s vital that we lay the foundations of a campaign that will connect with every part of Scotland. In order to do this we need tailored campaigns for different communities that communicate the arguments and benefits of independence to our diverse country.

In areas like the South of Scotland we need to build a renewed case for independence – a distinct Borderland Strategy. Across our border regions, independence will bring some unique opportunities and practical challenges, as the areas that will border our nearest neighbours. As we prepare for the next independence referendum, we should be working on a campaign that addresses these challenges, as well as highlighting the unique opportunities.

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It’s not good enough, as we have occasionally seen suggested, to aspire to “losing less badly” in the South of Scotland next time, as long as we can consolidate support in areas with greater support for independence.

We can and will win support for independence in the South of Scotland with campaigns that are shaped and articulated by the people who live in our border regions – campaigns that are supported and amplified nationally.

Those familiar with the Scottish Borders and Dumfries and Galloway may be aware of a frequently used local phrase - “aye been”. It primarily conveys the argument or sentiment that something has always been that way, so why change it. Indeed, during the 2014 independence referendum, it wasn’t uncommon to hear someone explaining they planned to vote no with the response – “it’s aye been”. So, we’ve got our work cut out, but we can rise to that challenge, and we have a solid base from which to build on.

Growing up in the South of Scotland, many of us were imbued with a sense that we were in a forgotten part of Scotland. The roads were abysmal, and all your telly came from Carlisle – which certainly fuelled the feeling of being cut off from the rest of Scotland.

Many of us hoped for better for our children, only now we find that what was an inconvenience and a frustration has more serious ramifications, exemplified by mixed messages and lack of clarity via broadcasters throughout Covid-19 in spite of clear Scottish Government messaging. There has undoubtedly been a cynicism in this part of the country that decisions being made in Edinburgh won’t necessarily bring more benefit than decisions in London, but that’s changing due to ongoing work by the SNP Government, local SNP councillors and parliamentarians to deliver for the area.

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For example, SNP Minister and MSP for the South of Scotland, Paul Wheelhouse, recently marked a milestone in the delivery of superfast broadband to the South of Scotland, during a visit in Innerleithen. Paul is delivering a programme of work that will see superfast broadband delivered to 99% of premises in the region that don’t already have it – something vital to the economy and communities of the South of Scotland. Likewise, the new South of Scotland Enterprise Agency, established by the Scottish Government to help reinvigorate the area’s economy, will provide much-needed support from four hubs across the region – in Dumfries, Hawick, Selkirk and Stranraer.

Our people are outward-looking, whether to Carlisle, Northumberland or Northern Ireland, and for more than opportunities to shop – for business, trade, partnership and economic growth too. We may sometimes feel distant from Edinburgh and Glasgow, but we could be at the heart of things with the opportunities that independence brings. We’re not short on ambition – either historically or for our future. Our borderlands are a vital crossroads and their prosperity and success will be key to Scotland’s future as an independent nation.

The South will be at the sharp end of new challenges, which were eclipsed by Covid but are approaching at pace. The ferry link between Stranraer and Northern Ireland is where rhetoric over hard borders and seamless transitions will meet reality. Our region needs the inward migration of working-age people every year in order to sustain services, fill skilled jobs and help our economy grow. Nothing in the UK Government’s plans meets these challenges.

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Too many people in our movement misunderstand the border regions of our country and write off the area as full of Tory-supporting No voters. That’s a huge disservice to the area and ignores the immense amount of work that has been done by the SNP and Yes groups in these regions to build support for independence. And it’s those local activists who are the best people to shape our independence campaign in the area.

Independence is an inclusive concept that everyone in Scotland can get behind. It is a wonderfully simple statement of fact – that the best people to make decisions about Scotland are the people who live here. That core message has to be as simple as possible, so that we can reach out to people across our country.

We just need to ensure that every part of Scotland can see themselves as part of this bright future.