Senior SNP MP to ‘make the case’ for Scottish independence to Edinburgh University students

Tommy Sheppard, an MP for the Scottish National Party (SNP), will deliver a talk on Edinburgh University’s campus to set out why he believes Scottish independence is “essential for Scotland’s future”.

The meeting is aimed at students at the university, in a bid to energise what the SNP labels “generation YES”, because young Scots tend to support independence more than older people in the country.

The MP for Edinburgh East said that the impact of Brexit, rising poverty, and the climate crisis can be averted if Scotland were to become an independent country, adding: “I’m more convinced than ever that with enthusiasm and dogged determination, we can build a new country where success is measured by people’s well-being, not corporate profit”.

The event, due to be held on Thursday 1 December, will encourage Edinburgh University students to join the campaign for Scottish independence.

Although the event will be held in the Pleasance Cabaret Bar, a Students’ Union building, the University of Edinburgh has a neutral stance on Scottish independence.

Sheppard will be joined by pro-independence broadcaster and journalist Lesley Riddoch, who said she is looking forward to speaking with “those who feel that Westminster is a busted flush, corrupt to the core and unable to change”.

The MP is the SNP’s constitutional spokesperson and said it is wrong that Scotland is not able to express whether it would like to leave the UK via another referendum, after the country voted to stay in the UK in 2014.

It follows the UK Supreme Court’s ruling on Wednesday that the Scottish Government does not have the legal right to set up a referendum without the consent of the UK-wide government, led by prime minister Rishi Sunak.

Labour’s leader in Scotland, Anas Sarwar, says the SNP should now focus on the problems facing the country, and that there is an appetite for change to be delivered by a Labour government across the country.

The event at Edinburgh University will be held on Thursday 1 December at 1pm in Pleasance Cabaret Bar.

Tommy Sheppard MP said:

“Rising prices, soaring poverty, crisis in our public services, climate catastrophe, Tory Brexit Britain increasingly isolated in the world. It doesn’t have to be like this. Independence allows Scotland to press the reset button.

“We know that those aged 16-34 overwhelmingly support Scotland becoming a self-governing nation. To drive independence forward, it’s vital that we engage young people in the debate around Scotland’s constitutional future.

“I’m more convinced than ever that with enthusiasm and dogged determination, we can build a new country where success is measured by people’s well-being, not corporate profit. A new country where we marshal our vast renewable energy resources for a sustainable future and where we have a strong society which celebrates our diversity.

“Join us on Thursday 1 December at Pleasance Cabaret Bar and find out how you can get involved in the campaign for Scottish independence.”

Lesley Riddoch said: “Why should young people care about Scotland’s future? The clue is in the sentence. It is your future, not ours.

“And for those who feel that Westminster is a busted flush, corrupt to the core and unable to change – even under Labour – you need to be the generation with the courage to believe in better. This means believing in yourself and your own capacity to run a country for the benefit of everyone.

“Look around and take inspiration from our Nordic neighbours, with fewer resources and far better outcomes. That’s something you can achieve and it’s exciting. Why wouldn’t you want to be at the forefront of this change?”

The Edinburgh University Students Association (EUSA) has been approached for comment on this story, and the University of Edinburgh has declined to comment. 

Featured image: Overlay via YouTube.

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