Scotland independence referendum

Campaigning for a YES vote

Tomy Sheridan addresses an overflow meeting of the 'Hope Over Fear' pro-independence campaign in Motherwell, photo by Socialist Party Scotland

Tomy Sheridan addresses an overflow meeting of the ‘Hope Over Fear’ pro-independence campaign in Motherwell, photo by Socialist Party Scotland   (Click to enlarge: opens in new window)

Socialist Party Scotland members report on the intensive campaigning and politicisation around the referendum in the final week of the campaign.

At bus stops, train platforms, in pubs, in queues and everywhere you go, you see people wearing badges, the majority ‘YES’.

You can overhear and get involved in political discussions about the banks and oil giants threatening to move, the currency, the bias of the BBC and whether ‘yes’ will win.

Working people feel that for once, as the polls are so close, and the campaign of ‘terror’ from the political establishment so intense, that their vote or actions in politics actually matter.

A Socialist Party Scotland member working on Glasgow’s subway train asked fellow drivers in the staff room what they thought of the threats of RBS and BP to relocate and disinvest, getting the response: “Bring it on, let them throw everything at us, they have to go”.

Talking socialism

A Dundee member reported that: “Today more than half the people I saw were wearing ‘Yes’ badges, and two shop workers in Spar in Dundee were discussing whether a yes vote would make ‘socialist revolution’ more likely!”

However, the ‘NO Thanks’ campaign is now much more visible on the streets. Last weekend both campaigns squared off in town centres. In Dundee a demonstration rallied by speakers, including members of Socialist Party Scotland, marched through the town and surrounded a Labour ‘NO Thanks’ bus chanting “you’re not Labour anymore” and “you’re just Tories in disguise”!

Whatever the result on Thursday, a feeling of rage and the need to fight back, almost of “we have nothing left to lose” has been stirred amongst a layer of the working class and youth.

Socialist Party Scotland has been out campaigning in the high streets and colleges. We have been putting forward the ‘Socialist Case for Independence’ and also campaigning for £10 an hour minimum wage and an end to zero-hour contracts. People crowd our stalls seeing the link between the need to fight the bosses and campaign for a better future.

Socialist Party Scotland members have also been speaking at the large public meetings, which take place every day, including the ‘Hope Over Fear – the Socialist Case for Independence’ meetings with Tommy Sheridan, arguing for socialist policies and a new party to represent working class people.

This was raised from the platform, to huge applause, at an electric meeting in Paisley by Socialist Party Scotland member and prominent Unison activist, Brian Smith.