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Daily Record
Daily Record
National
Jack Thomson

Elected members to debate whether Renfrewshire Council is pro-independence

Elected members will debate whether Renfrewshire Council is pro-independence days after the First Minister set a date for a second referendum.

A motion, put forward by councillors Robert Innes and Michelle Campbell, is expected to spark a fiery discussion at Thursday's full council meeting.

The motion requests that the local authority recognise the local government election in May delivered a majority of pro-independence members — 21 SNP politicians and independent Andy Doig — in Renfrewshire.

It also asks the council to "welcome a referendum on Scotland's independence", which Nicola Sturgeon said should be held on October 19, 2023.

The Supreme Court has been asked to consider whether the Scottish Government has the power to hold a vote without UK Government permission, but Sturgeon has reiterated to the Prime Minister she is willing to negotiate the terms of section 30 order.

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Councillor Innes believes the matter of Scottish independence should be discussed by the council in the lead up to the planned referendum — adding that "debate is healthy in a democracy".

He said: "The Scottish Government has a mandate for an independence referendum after overwhelmingly gaining the support of the Scottish electorate in 2021 with a manifesto commitment to hold a referendum.

"The United Kingdom that we voted to remain a part of in 2014 does not exist anymore.

"We heard from our First Minister Nicola Sturgeon that a referendum is set to take place on October 19, 2023.

"This is the Scottish Government taking action on a clear mandate from the people of Scotland and is welcomed across all communities in Renfrewshire.

"Debate is healthy in a democracy. Renfrewshire just went to the polls in May and delivered a majority of pro-independence supporting councillors.

"We are fighting through the serious impacts of a cost of living crisis while we recover from a global pandemic.

"All elected members are seeing an increased caseload of people struggling — it is devastating and angering to see people across our communities struggle and in many cases, be pushed further into poverty.

"It is unacceptable and we will not stay silent on this failure to protect those that need it the most in our society.

"I believe the Scottish Government in an independent Scotland are better placed to steer us through this crisis than the crooks in Westminster."

Councillor Campbell added: "Both nationally and locally we are seeing mitigations from the Scottish Parliament and local authorities in an attempt to protect those at greatest harm of austerity inflicted by this UK Government.

"This is being eroded by the shoddy, selfish and irresponsible ignorance of the Tory government ministers towards our Scottish elected representatives.

"There is a toxic culture which is dismissive of our concerns and needs for our communities. Scotland deserves better and as an independent nation we have the opportunity to thrive."

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