Independence 1st - The Campaign For a Referendum on Scottish Independence

INDEPENDENCE FIRST WELCOMES NATIONAL CONVERSATION

Dougie Maclean, Dick Gaughan, Ted Christopher, Mouse Eat Mouse and Project Bona Fide performed at our 31/03 event. Welcome to Independence First the campaign for a referendum on Scottish independence. The photos above are from our march and rally on the 31st of March this year. Support for a referendum on independence is vast, ranging from between 60 and 80% of the Scottish public in recent opinion polls. When the straight question is asked, and 'don't knows' are excluded most polls have showed that the majority of Scots support Scottish independence, in other words the normal powers that almost every other country enjoys. Polls also regularly show a large amount of Scots want significantly more powers for our devolved parliament which can only be guaranteed with independence. Our Past Actions Independence First have carried out a number of actions to promote a referendum. We have written to the Scottish and British Governments (and have received replies). We also launched an e-petition through the Scottish parliament's website. Despite over 1300 signatures the petition was rejected by the last Scottish executive. We have also held two highly successful demonstrations for an independence referendum on the 30th of September 2006 and 31st of March 2007. (See our News and Comments sections for more information about these actions). A National Conversation Independence First welcomes the new SNP led Scottish Government's National Conversation on independence. We would encourage everyone who is interested in Scotland's future to get involved in this national conversation through the above website. We believe the people of Scotland want a democratic referendum on independence and we also believe that given the chance they would vote for normal powers for Scotland. Independence First will be taking an active part in the national conversation and will publish our own contribution towards it after proper internal discussion. A unified independence referendum petition Shortly the Scottish Independence Convention, in conjunction with the Scottish parties, the Scottish Government and Independence First will be launching a massive petition to try and force the unionist parties to respect the desire of the people of Scotland for a referendum on independence. Independence First believe that we all need to unite together on this around one petition. To this end we have been meeting with the Independence Convention and others to ensure we can make a maximum organisational contribution towards this new petition. Watch this space for more information. The Scottish Government supports a referendum on independence as do the Scottish Green Party and the Scottish Socialist Party and numerous other political groupings. According to recent newspaper reports some Scottish Conservatives also support holding a referendum. Independence First believe the Scottish people must decide on independence and we will continue to campaign as hard as we can until this happens. Our next meeting Our next meeting is in Glasgow on Saturday 1st September, at the STUC building, 333 Woodlands Road G3 6NG. (The nearest underground station is Kelvinbridge). It starts at 1pm (12:45 for registration of new members). News:
"Caledonia" Singer Backs Independence First Campaign The impetus behind Independence First's second Referendum Rally has jumped a stage higher with the news that singer-songwriter Dougie Maclean is backing the campaign and will perform his hit single Caledonia' at at the event outside the Scottish Parliament..	Unionist MSPs Reject Independence Referendum Debate Calls Independence First has reacted angrily to the decision by the Scottish Parliament’s public petitions committee to mothball their e-petition for a referendum.
Scotsman Reports Majority for Independence Scotland would become an independent country if a referendum was held tomorrow, according to a new opinion poll which will reignite the political debate over Scotland's future.	Independence First Launches E-Petition Independence First has launched a petition for a referendum on independence through the Scottish Parliament's E-petitioning system
Government Answers: 'Not Acceptable' Independence First recently wrote to both the UK Government and the Scottish Parliament demanding a democratic referendum for the people of Scotland on independence

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