Carluke and Lanark Gazette Independence Hustings 2014

THE Gazette is staging its own Scottish Independence hustings debate in Lanark Memorial Hall on Monday, May 26, from 7-9pm.
Hedging her  bets...Gazette Editor Julie Currie is hoping the Carluke and Lanark Gazette's Scottish Independence Hustings on Monday, May 26, in Lanark Memorial Hall will help make up her mind (Picture by Bobby Kidd)Hedging her  bets...Gazette Editor Julie Currie is hoping the Carluke and Lanark Gazette's Scottish Independence Hustings on Monday, May 26, in Lanark Memorial Hall will help make up her mind (Picture by Bobby Kidd)
Hedging her bets...Gazette Editor Julie Currie is hoping the Carluke and Lanark Gazette's Scottish Independence Hustings on Monday, May 26, in Lanark Memorial Hall will help make up her mind (Picture by Bobby Kidd)

And if, like me, you are as yet undecided we need you to come along!

We’ve teamed up with Yes Clydesdale and Better Together Clydesdale to ensure readers are armed with all the information they need for September 18.

Now, all we need is YOU to attend.

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Yes Clydesdale will be represented by Robin McAlpine, director of the Jimmy Reid Foundation and editor of the Scottish Left Review, along with Clydesdale MSP Aileen Campbell.

And Better Together Clydesdale is fielding Professor Adam Tompkins, John Millar, Chair of Public Law at the University of Glasgow, along with Clydesdale MP David Mundell.

Following an introduction and welcome by yours truly, Johnston Press Scotland managing director Stuart Birkett will chair the debate.

Yes and Better Together Clydesdale’s campaigners and local politicians are now all looking forward to the Memo Hall battle on May 26.

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Ian McAllan, of Yes Clydesdale, said: “There are less than five months to go until the biggest democratic decision this country has ever made – so there is no better time for the people of Clydesdale to hear both sides of the debate.

“Those attending are guaranteed a fantastic evening, full of passion as well as rigorous argument.

“We are delighted that the YES side will represented by Biggar’s own Robin McAlpine and Aileen Campbell.

“Readers should mark their diaries for what promises to be one of Clydesdale’s political events of the year.”

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And David Mundell said: “This debate provides local people with an important opportunity to put their questions to both sides.

“I am determined to make sure local issues take centre stage and ensure that key arguments like currency, our membership of the EU and pensions are addressed from a more local perspective.

“For too long Yes Scotland have chosen to ignore many of the outstanding questions that people living in our area have about what independence would mean for them and their families.

“Hopefully, this debate will see these big questions answered.”

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The Gazette’s hustings meeting at the Memorial Hall in Lanark will be chaired by Johnston Press Scotland managing director Stuart Birkett.

Stuart is delighted to be chairing and is very much looking forward to the debate.

He said: “As an Eastern Borderer, though one who is based just the other side of the Tweed, I have a good insight into what’s probably on peoples’ minds in the lead up to the referendum.

“However, being based in Northumberland and without a vote, I promise not to take sides and look forward to a robust and constructive debate about the issues that matter, both locally and nationally.”

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For my part (Editor), I’m hoping that the hustings will attract people who, like me, have yet to make up their minds.

And I’m asking readers to submit questions they would like to raise at the debate.

Please send your question, with your name, age and home town or village, to Julie Currie, Editor, Carluke and Lanark Gazette, 3 High Street, Carluke, ML8 4AL, or email [email protected]

And if you’d like to pose your question on the night, please clearly state that.

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This is the biggest decision Scotland has had to make in centuries. It is only right, therefore, that your local paper debates the issue.

So please keep Monday, May 26, free in your diary and come along to the Memorial Hall in Lanark for 7pm sharp.

And watch this space for further information on all our speakers and about the event itself in the countdown to the big day.