Scotland’s independence movement looking to copy ‘seriously impressive’ YesCymru

For the past decade and more Welsh nationalists have looked to Scotland with envy and for inspiration, as the national movement there has gone from strength to strength.

However, the success of Yes Cymru, which has doubled its membership in three weeks, means that Scottish nationalists are now pointing to Wales as the model to follow.

Hundreds of campaigners joined an online conference over the weekend to discuss the next steps towards independence, including the setting up of a national membership organisation similar to Yes Cymru by next year.

Andrew Wilson, of AUOB, told the National newspaper that one aim of the day was to have a “serious discussion” about the achievements of YesCymru – the non-political party independence group in Wales.

“A number of people here today are very impressed with what Yes Cymru is achieving in Wales and that has prompted the discussions about a similar national membership organisation here,” he said.

“Today is an opportunity for the Yes movement to have a discussion about such an organisation, what it should look like and how it will be run.”

‘Drivers’

Organisers told the National newspaper that more than 1200 people had signed up for the event, with at least 400 taking part, which was a “temporary replacement in the time of Covid” for the usual marches in the streets of towns and cities across Scotland.

Speakers included National columnist Lesley Riddoch, who said it was extraordinary to see so many people attending the event, and backed the idea of a membership-led movement such as YesCymru.

“There has been in my mind a disproportionate belief in parties as the salvation, parties as somehow the kind of drivers of ideas,” she said.

Speakers also included SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford, who told campaigners September next year would be a “reasonable” expectation for indyref2 to take place.

He added if campaigners were in favour of this plan, further meetings would be held with a view to setting up such an organisation by 2021.