I SUSPECT many readers of The National will be able to pinpoint the moment when they became pro-independence. Upon hearing a barnstorming speech, perhaps, or reading a powerful polemic. Many perhaps imagine the “don’t know” voters of Scotland can be swayed to the same position, if only they could have the same kind of transformative experience.
But in truth, most Scots are not waiting for such a moment. Many, even post-2014, profess not to be interested in politics at all. And if they are to become politicised it won’t be through learning about constitutional affairs or pondering democrat deficits. It will be because they identify something specific that’s wrong in society and decide they want to change it. And if they find they cannot change it because of Scotland’s relationship with the rest of the UK, that will be the point where they reassess their views about the Union.
The launch this week of Citizen Girl – a campaign aimed at empowering young women to “make their voices heard at every level of government and in all areas of public life” – is to be warmly welcomed…
