THE founder of a grassroots independence campaign has called for the Yes movement to reach out beyond social media – and warned it is too connected to politicians.
Gordon MacIntyre-Kemp launched Believe in Scotland, which is a democratic coalition of 142 local and national Yes groups managed by a steering group.
He is now urging the movement to “reinvent itself” as we move into the new year, and to “stop being the 2014 Yes campaign”.
READ MORE: The news stories the Tories didn't want you to see over Christmas
In an appeal set to be shared on social media and through Believe in Scotland, and which will be published in The National on Friday, he says: “We have to realise that there is no movement, no momentum if most members of the movement are just stuck on social media talking to themselves.
“Most of the people and even organisations that consider themselves part of the movement never talk to anyone outside of the movement. Yet they maintain a high profile within the movement – but anonymity without.
“The independence movement is way too connected to and too dependent upon political parties to make the running.
READ MORE: Taxpayers charged thousands for civil servants' Christmas vouchers
“Only the grassroots can move the polls but the grassroots are forever waiting for the politicians to drive things – politicians don't make waves, they ride them.”
The long-time independence activist wants to see the movement create a “new story and new momentum” by starting a national conversation about what a better Scotland could look like.
MacIntyre-Kemp concludes: "Then our campaign stops harking back to 2014 or being too politically tribal and becomes more about a shared positive vision of Scotland we all want to live in. Almost everyone that lives here believes in Scotland – let's remind them of that and win our independence.”
First Minister Humza Yousaf was among those to take part in events held by Believe in Scotland this year.
The group recently netted more than £88,000 in a one-month fundraising campaign – with the target for the drive being £60,000.
Its campaign plans next year include rallies in both Glasgow and Edinburgh, four national days of action and more than a dozen localised campaign days.
MacIntyre-Kemp is also the chief economist at the wellbeing economics think tank Scotianomics and the author of Scotland the Brief.
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