WESTMINSTER is likely recognising that independence is inevitable, with polls late last year showing support for independence is above 70% amongst 16-24 year olds.
However independence activists are at a loss on how to involve this generation in campaigning.
Young people are largely absent from street stalls, Yes meetings, event organising and days of action. To get insight into the age group who weren’t old enough to vote in 2014, we spoke to two under 21 year olds involved in Yes and Scottish politics.
'Sooner rather than later, but it's not do or die'
Jacob Ross, 19, was 11 when Scotland rejected independence.
He said: “I remember sitting at the end of my parent’s bed, watching TV at like eight o'clock in the morning. I think I didn't understand the full repercussions obviously but thought it would be quite cool - the change.”
Growing up in Dunfermline and Aberdeen, with most of his family living in England, Ross was brought up in a primarily Conservative-supporting constituency and household, and has swayed several in his family to Yes.
His interest in politics was sparked by a school project. He said: “In modern studies at high school after the vote, we were given the chance to do a group project, to do something we were interested in – and we did Scottish independence. So that was my first bit of research and look into it.”
The business student says his friends at university are diverse in their politics and joke “tongue in cheek” about their individual views. Ross says those who are conservative or No supporters understand his views, as he does their's, and that the conversations they have are a more modern way to debate independence with “two-way respect”.
When asked if he feels the urgency of the movement, he said: “I think sooner rather than later in my head but [independence] it's not do or die. Each person probably feels different, older members and voters might feel that because they have fought for it for so long – but for me, I have hopefully, at least 70 years left so I don’t feel that. I hope I have it for my kids at least.”
The Gen Z Campaign
Looking ahead to an indyref2 campaign, Ross argues that the movement must put a concise spotlight on the interlinks between economics, climate change, independence, and human rights to get young people passionate enought to campaign.
He also said the current appeal to the younger crowd by SNP in particular is not working and that getting on TikTok isn’t the way to go for grassroots Yes activists.
Ross said: “It feels like SNP and Yes need a bit more organisation to mobilise members and appeal to a younger crowd. The way the Scottish Government is releasing the white papers about economics - I don't think it's accessible to younger people.
“It’s been said already but 15, 16, 17-year-olds, they can't be asked to go and read a 50-page document about the European convention – graphics are out there to explain that. For young people to be more involved in politics, it must be understood.”
When it comes to TikTok, Ross isn’t convinced it’s the best campaign tactic for Yes activists to take up by themselves.
He puts forward that TikTok is for fun, and the political side is more to make a joke or meme about current issues, as well having increasingly complex and changeable algorithms.
Ross adds: “I don't think TikTok is the right platform for activists to use, the only correct options would probably be Instagram or Twitter. Even then, I think it would only work when you’ve got young people who understand the brand on your side to make a proper impact.”
And how do we get young people on our side?
Dionne Hossack was filmed on the steps at Buchannan Street giving an impassioned speech arguing that the once in a generation argument was long out of date – using herself as living proof.
She was 12 in 2014, and the referendum shaped her path to university where she is studying politics and international relations.
Hossack reflected: “The reason I got into politics was the independence referendum – when I was in primary seven, our teacher set us a task to go and research what independence meant, what it would mean for Scotland, and then we had to create a presentation on why we would’ve voted Yes or No – so it was a really insightful task.”
From there Hossack, who grew up in Blantyre, spoke with her family who were Labour leaning, and all involved in trade unions at some point. When the family engaged in conversation, they did their own research and realised they too would be Yes voters.
Hossack said her mum encouraged the new interest, not pushing anything on her, and took her to indyref marches, as “participating that way was really the only thing” Hossack could do at 12 years old.
She describes herself as “gutted” on the morning a No result came through.
Hossack feels it’s hard for any young person not to be plugged into politics since 2014 with Brexit, Trump, Boris, Covid, the cost-of-living and much more affecting their daily lives.
She said: “So much has taken up our lives and taken parts of our lives. Like Brexit and the Erasmus scheme - I have a friend who her visa process can’t go ahead because of Brexit and now, she can’t go on a year abroad.
“It’s hard for us not to care and we’re not given enough credit to understand what’s going on.”
The 20-year-old works part time for her local MSP, is a part-time cleaner, volunteers, is drummer in the band Verces, and studies full time. She describes herself as “lucky” having politics be a central point in her life, knowing that it isn’t the case for everyone.
Hossack points to two broad aspects that restrict young people from getting involved – vague group explanations and accessibility issues caused by the cost of living crisis.
A shift or a Yes event?
“It helps massively in elections to have young people involved for numbers, but I think there are barriers outwith those cycles – especially during the cost of living crisis, people might not be able to make it to events cause of transport costs or strikes.”
Older people have more flexibility in retirement or security of a home, argues Hossack, and describes that as a “luxury” that should be recognised by groups when trying to organise things.
She said: “When it comes to young people and the cost of living crisis – if they’re picking between a shift or going to a political meeting, sometimes it’s a make or break if they can get involved.
“I’m not saying older activists don’t have worries, there are just less barriers.”
Accessibility of knowledge is another key to the lack of young people engaging. Echoing Ross’s point on tailoring information for activists and members to easily mobilise and get involved, Hossack confesses that activists’ roles are not clear to her, even now.
She says: “For me – I still don’t fully understand how branch or Yes group hierarchy works or what everyone’s roles are, and if you don’t have someone to guide you or introduce you to it then its really hard to know where to go with it. Sometimes its hard balancing different views too – more branch or group awareness would help in navigating inter-generational conversations.
“Even in youth groups, there’s a lot to it.”
On the other hand, Hossack states there could be complacency amongst her generation after seeing SNP be in government for most of their lives.
She continued: “When you see something like SNP be so successful, and then put Yes with SNP – you can just sit back and think ‘it’s going pretty well, what can I add?’”
Hossack also believes Yes need a proper strategy for social media as “algorithms are everything right now” and activists must make sure what is being put out is factual.
