Yes East Kilbride was brought to life by members of the local community and representation from various political parties under the banner of ‘All parties and none’. This would be the town’s primary grassroots campaign group ahead of the announced Scottish Independence referendum to take place in September 2014. From its small, humble beginnings Yes East Kilbride would attract members of the community from all demographics, the majority of which had little or no previous experience of campaigning political or otherwise. The wide range of skills and experience, coupled with endless hard work created a special family feeling of everyone pulling in the same direction regardless of other differences. The campaign saw so many fantastic talented speakers from a wide range of backgrounds attend community halls the length and breadth of the town, and provided an essential opportunity for all people of the town to raise their own questions ahead of the historic vote.
Every activist at Yes East Kilbride understood the enormity of the task in hand, particularly in a town which had generally been a stronghold for the main party behind the better together campaign for many years, of which many of our activists had indeed been Labour voters in previous elections. This did not deter, but may actually fuelled the campaigning which went into overdrive in the final 6 months prior to the vote, a period that saw our active membership skyrocket.
Alas, the national result was not fall in our favour, However there was a different chapter of history being played out in East Kilbride. Regardless if was attributed to the vibrant, engaging, public events, or the late night organising of leaflet drops etc. or the many worn out shoes and trainers, the support by local businesses, or every conversation that was had at the doorsteps or on the street stall, it was against the odds the people of East Kilbride cast their vote in favour of Scottish Independence. With 51.9% of the vote the people of the town had spoken, and declared East Kilbride join the ranks of the Yes towns and cities across the country.
The result of course was not embraced with celebration of which we had hoped, but still continues to make us extremely proud of the selfless enduring hard work and spirit of the town’s communities and her people. The campaign laid down the foundation stone in our continuing journey towards our goal of Independence for our Nation.
Please take a walk down memory lane and review some of the aspects of our campaign as it happened.
