THE “biggest ever” Yes conference is to be held early next year in a bid to fire up a renewed independence campaign.
It is being organised by the Aberdeen Independence Movement (AIM) in partnership with some of the country’s most progressive Yes organisations, including Women for Independence and Believe in Scotland.
The Progress to Yes event will bring together leading activists from all over Scotland with speakers including SNP President Michael Russell, SNP MP Hannah Bardell, human rights lawyer Aamer Anwar, SNP MSP Karen Adam, Gordon MacIntyre-Kemp of Believe in Scotland, Scottish Greens MSP Maggie Chapman, SNP MP Stewart McDonald, AIM’s co-chair Fatima Joji, SNP MP Alyn Smith and Bella Caledonia’s Mike Small.
The conference will take place at the Park Inn in Aberdeen on February 27 with workshops, panels and speeches.
“The last few years have not been easy for the progressive Yes movement,” said AIM co-organiser Alan Petrie. “Not being able to meet in person over these last two years has led to a loss of energy and at times the movement has forgotten the why of independence, instead focusing on process rather than the better nation we seek to build.
“This event aims to fix that by bringing that progressive energy right back to the front and centre of the movement with the why and how of independence.
“Groups such as Aberdeen Independence Movement need to step up to the plate and build that new, better, winning movement in conjunction with others. This is way too important for any of us to stand on the sidelines. The new movement and the nation as a whole together starts here.”
A spokesperson for Women for Independence said the group was delighted to be taking part in the conference. We look forward to sharing our vision of a human rights-based Scotland where diversity, representation and acceptance are our defining factors,” said the spokesperson.
“Every one of us deserves to live without hunger, homelessness or violence. In our conference slots, we’d like to explore how an independent Scotland could prioritise these rights and create a stronger, fairer, gender-just nation in which everyone has a part to play.”
Russell said the event would be a chance to make progress towards independence.
He said: “It gives a real opportunity to move our country further down the road to independence by ensuring that all parts of the Yes movement which want to co-operate in a positive and respectful manner – with each other and in support of the people of Scotland – are able to devise new projects together.
“We are already engaged in some of these and now we need to use them to showcase the vibrant, progressive and equal Scotland we seek and which we need independence to achieve.”
Small added: “This is a great opportunity to re-launch a campaign with energy and positivity to inspire people and to engage with people who are disenchanted with politics and with what they see around them.”
Tickets are now on sale with early-bird discounts. For group booking email aberdeenaim@gmail.com. Otherwise go to https://bit.ly/31mxbXT
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