THE last couple of weeks have really flown by. I’ve been travelling around quite a bit, with events in Edinburgh, Dundee and Glasgow, speaking to young independence supporters, trade unionists and new contributors as part of the Pass The Mic programme.
Last week at the STUC in Dundee, I was pleased to attend the SNP TUG’s event on how Scotland can use its powers better right now on issues like housing, social security and transport. While everyone on the panel backed independence, they wanted to see more action on the big issues before we get to that point. It was a super event, bringing together people from all parties and none, and prompting in-depth debate on topics like a land tax, how to run a good nationalised railway service and how to capture the vibrancy of the 2014 independence campaign to inspire the next generation towards Yes.
I was also in Edinburgh speaking to young SNP members and visitors from across Europe about the challenges for a pro-independence paper in the UK media landscape. I opened up on a story of how a certain Cabinet minister attacked me several times during a speech to a packed room of journalists and politicians during my first trip to Westminster – of course, nobody else was picked on. The lesson for all of us in that is if you’re freaking out powerful people to the extent that they need to address you SOLELY in a speech, then you’re probably doing something right.
Soon I’m back to London for another Westminster media event, so depending on how a certain Cabinet minister behaves you may be getting a rather targeted update from me next time. These kinds of Westminster trips are one of my least favourite things to do, and I am pleased to say I have successfully minimised my time there to less than 24 hours. It’s the only way to preserve your sanity.
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