Grassroots campaign launches to win over wavering voters to Yes

A new pro-independence civic campaign body will be launched in Edinburgh today aimed at winning over undecided people to vote Yes.

Voices for Scotland is to be headed up by long-term independence supporter Chris Hegarty who has previously worked in the non-governmental organisation sector.

Elaine C Smith will sit on its board, which will be chaired by former Nationalist MSP Dave Thompson.

The launch comes a day after First Minister Nicola Sturgeon set out her plans at Holyrood for a second independence referendum by 2021.

It has been set up by the Scottish Independence Convention (SIC) after a fund-raising drive last year. A small team 0 Elaine C Smith will be on the new body’s board

will be hired to develop and run campaigns, carry out research and support other grassroots independence organisations across Scotland.

It will be formally launched at the Scottish Storytelling centre on the Royal Mile this morning.

Ms Smith, who chairs the SIC, said: “We’re all about opening conversations with the third of people who are in the middle, who are undecided or are doubting their previous opinions.”

Although pro-independence, the body describes itself as non-political and will seek to generate “big, open conversations” with the aim of winning over wavering people in Scotland to vote Yes.

Mr Hegarty said: “It’s a genuine privilege to be involved in a grassroots organisation that’s all about listening to the aspirations and concerns of the people of Scotland, and especially one that’s committed to having these open conversations in such a respectful way.

“I look forward to hearing many of those conversations, and to working with such a talented and committed group of people as those involved in Voices for Scotland.”