Yes Scotland Stornoway forum

Yes Scotland chief executive in Stornoway forum 25/5/14

Campaigners from Yes Na h-Eileanan an Iar received a boost when the Yes Scotland chief executive, Blair Jenkins, joined them for a day of campaigning on the island on Friday.

Later, over 70 people turned out for a public meeting over Independence, chaired by Isles MP, Angus MacNeil, in Stornoway Town Hall.

The audience fielded a large range of questions for panelists, Blair Jenkins and Alasdair Allan MSP, which included topics such as oil, currency, the monarchy, pensions, fishing, the EU and defence.

Dr Alasdair Allan MSP said: “Once again, we’ve had another successful town hall meeting here in Stornoway.

“It was clear from the recent cabinet question-and-answer event that there’s a real appetite and willingness to engage in the referendum debate, so we were keen to run another event - this time in the evening.

“We’ve planned a series of public meetings across the islands this summer which will allow us to continue to make the case for putting Scotland’s future in Scotland’s hands and, crucially, listening to more questions which – when answered – see more people move to supporting a Yes vote.”

Angus MacNeil MP, who chaired the debate, said: “After a successful public meeting in Lochboisdale earlier in the week, I was pleased to take part in the Stornoway event on Friday night. I was impressed with the range of questions and engagement in the debate which demonstrates the fact that the Yes campaign is attracting the attention of folk who might not normally be motivated for general party political elections.

“It was also great to see people not originally from Scotland considering the arguments logically and moving towards Yes."

Yes Scotland chief executive, Blair Jenkins, concluded: “The fundamental point of Yes Scotland is to make the case that Scotland’s future should be in Scotland’s hands which can only be guaranteed with independence.

“When we set-up the Yes Scotland campaign, we made a deliberate decision to ensure that our local groups would lead a grassroots campaign in their own local community and that’s exactly what I’ve seen here in the islands.

“As we move closer to September 18th, we’ll continue to work hard for every vote and I believe that will carry us to victory on the day.”