Aye


DENNIS CANAVAN


the case for voting Yes in next year’s independence referendum.


L The event was organised and


hosted by the local independence campaign group – Yes Clydesdale. Over 200 Lanarkians heard passionate


speeches from ex-Labour Party stalwarts, Dennis Canavan and Jeane Freeman on why they have been converted to the independence cause.


Mr Canavan, a former Labour MP and


MSP and who now heads up Yes Scotland’s Advisory Board, said: “Independence is not an end in itself – but an opportunity to implement change”. He continued that he “wanted to see a Scotland that works to a different agenda” and “the only way to achieve this would be through independence.”


Ms Freeman, a former Special Advisor


to Labour First Minister, Jack McConnell, railed against her former party, claiming that “UK Labour Party policy is indistinguishable from the Conservatives.”


Most of the evening, however, was


given over to a presentation by Business for Scotland’s Gordon MacIntyre-Kemp, on the Economics of Independence.


He revealed how wealthy Scotland is 2


and how that wealth is currently being channelled southwards. He provided the audience with the facts and figures, which showed that Scotland


would be a wealthier, healthier, greener and fairer nation – post independence.


The evening concluded with a Q&A


session, which also involved local MSP Aileen Campbell, when issues such as the Common Weal and renewable energy were discussed.


As the audience left the hall it was clear


that a fair number of previous ‘don’t knows’ had been converted to independence – economist MacIntyre- Kemp’s presentation resonating with many.


One previous sceptic was heard to


say “The facts (around Scotland’s economy) are breath-taking – if you want to gain independence, you should be trumpeting this presentation from the rooftops!”


Local Yes organiser, Ian McAllan, was clearly pleased with the roadshow: “The


event was a huge success due, in no small part, to the people of Lanark, who packed out the hall, listened to the facts and engaged with the debate.


“Dennis Canavan and Jeane Freeman


were truly inspirational. But its clear the presentation by Gordon MacIntyre-Kemp, on the economics of independence, struck a real chord.


“The Yes movement just want the


opportunity to give the people the facts, to allow them to make an informed decision in September 2014 – tonight I think we achieved that. But we are not complacent and Yes Clydesdale will continue to work tirelessly over the next 12 months to secure a Yes vote in this area.”


Yes Clydesdale’s next Independence


Roadshow will be at Carnwath Town Hall on Friday 13 September, starting at 7.30 pm – all are welcome.


ANARK’S Memorial Hall was packed on Saturday night (August 31) to hear


JEANE FREEMAN


Yes


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