Tuesday 24 June 2014

Event: The radical case for Scottish Independence

From Red Pepper

Event this Thursday, 26 June 2014  7pm-8:30 pm in Committee Room 14, House Of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA.

One of the most important events for Britain will be taking place in September: the Scots will be able to vote for independence. Yet public discussion in England has been set by political parties arguing that independence is a reactionary and retrogressive step. Red Pepper and openDemocracy are bringing Scottish independence campaigners to the heart of the establishment, Westminster parliament, to hear their case and determination to vote Yes.

Book your place for a discussion with;

Cat Boyd, Radical Independence Campaign

Pete Ramand, co-author of Yes: The Radical Case for Scottish Indpendence

Robin McAlpine, Jimmy Reid Foundation David Greig, playwright

Joyce McMillan, theatre critic

Neal Ascherson, writer

This is an opportunity to understand the importance for a whole section of the Scottish people of seizing the opportunity to establish a different state. The opposition sets a negative tone: you'll lose the pound, there will be no oil, you'll be pushed out of the EU, you will be defenceless... But what we in London have not had is any flavour of the passion and determination increasingly heard in the fervour of discussion now sweeping through Scotland.

The voices in the Yes campaign are wider and larger and more dynamic than just the SNP. Writers, dramatists, poets and artists as well as many ordinary folk are talking about their relationship to Scotland as it has developed and been expressed in the last 20 years.

A Scottish independence vote also has implications for England, and they could be liberating, opening up a dynamic to weaken the most reactionary centres of power - from the dominance of London itself, to the Treasury and the City, the monarchy and the media oligarchs.

All this is why Red Pepper and openDemocracy have organised a meeting with speakers from Scotland talking about their determination to vote Yes.

Please arrive from 6:30pm for a prompt 7pm start, and allow plenty of time to get through security at the House of Commons.

***The event is free, but please do make a donation via the ticket option above if possible, however small, so that we can cover the costs of organising this meeting including train travel from Scotland and overnight accommodation for the speakers*** Book your place.

2 comments:

Unknown said...

Its a shame its considered 'radical' as opposed to the sensible thing to do.
For too long Westminster has ignored the land that is away from London.
A prime example was the recent flooding. Most of the southwest was cut off and under water for weeks whilst the Westminster Politicians only put their wellies on once the Thames had flooded. This was only because the waters had encroached on some of their funders mansions.
Often, its only thanks to the EU that parts of Scotland, Wales and Cornwall have been able to stay afloat (no pun intended). Yet, these areas of the country are amongst its most deprived.
Its also great that The Green Party is supporting the Cornish Assembly.
http://midandeastcornwall.greenparty.org.uk/news/mid-and-east-cornwall-gp-responds-to-towards-a-national-assembly-of-cornwall.html

Meg Howarth said...

Just returned from the above event - don't think I've ever heard such an excellent panel of speakers. Not a dud between them. Thanks to Martin for posting - wouldn't otherwise have known about it.