IF it wasn’t already clear which way the momentum is going on indyref2, the sheer terror among Unionists should set that beyond all doubt.
Although you’ll see it manifesting in many forms in response to the Yes poll bounce, they’ve been particularly furious about our independence special.
Last month, in collaboration with Believe In Scotland and the SNP, we printed one million pro-independence newspapers and sent them out all across the nation.
These arrived at branches and groups midweek, and over the weekend of November 18-19, the bulk were distributed to homes.
Not long after that, between November 22-29, fieldwork was carried out on a poll by Ipsos MORI for STV. It found an incredible 55% of Scots now supported independence – a reverse of the result in 2014.
READ MORE: Ipsos MORI poll: SNP and Greens extend support as Unionists lag behind
Between Tory sleaze, Scotland on the world stage at COP26 and – we hope – these pro-Yes papers, plus all the work Yessers have never ceased doing, November was a month that made clear to even more Scots that we need to leave this toxic Union.
And, of course, that has left Unionists terrified.
Some Unionists are so terrified that they’ve taken to tearing up our eight-page pro-Yes newspaper and mailing it back through to us.
This follows on from such tactics in the past as hiding our newspaper in shops behind other publications.
You probably won’t be surprised to hear that none of this has had their desired effect of deterring us in any way – particularly with that 55% figure for Yes.
The support of subscribers also ensures that we continue to go from strength to strength.
READ MORE: Boris Johnson branded liar by French journalist Marion van Renterghem
Millions of Scots will have seen the arguments made in that publication for why Scotland would be better off outside the Union, just as our 24-page supplement with Believe In Scotland earlier this year also reached out to undecided voters with the help of Yessers on the ground to distribute them.
As Scotland’s pro-independence paper, it’s only re-assuring to see Unionists so angry at what we’re doing.
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
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