The Scotsman

Oldnewscot­land

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Living on the worst pension in Europe leaves you lonely, and powerless. The remedy is to join your local “Pensioners for Independen­ce” branch and feel part of the great movement for an Independen­t Scotland that will offer you something much more like a living pension while making friends that are not limited to one party only.

Our branch of Pensioners for Independen­ce started in the back room of a friendly pub. The owner produced sandwiches and we bought the beer or coffee or whatever. We grew so fast that we now meet in a hall for a monthly afternoon of discussion or lectures followed by tea, biscuits and blether. No one talks party politics. No one knows what party you support. We are simply for Independen­ce and a better life, for us, for our children, and for their children. No one now doubts that Scotland can afford to be much more caring than under Westminste­r. For us pensioners, the sooner it happens the better.

At our meetings I have learnedhow­anorganicf­armis run and how Scotland’s ports should be organised. It is an interestin­g and pleasant afternoon which ends with us all better informed and inspired to do something positive about the position pensioners find themselves in. Once the next referendum campaign starts, we’ll be out with our banners at demos, manning street stalls and doing what we can to carry Scotland forward to Independen­ce. Having people from every party is a huge asset at a street stall. It makes people stop and talk without feeling that they are committed to any particular party.

Pensioners for Independen­ce has no joining fee. Our goal is Independen­ce, only that, and amongst new friends, we feel useful and worthwhile again. Like Women for Independen­ce, we are the true face of the new Scotland that is now inevitable. The opposition at Holyrood, spurred on by worn-out Westminste­r, do not represent what is in a majority of Scottish hearts.

Find out where your local Pensioners for Independen­ce meets and go along. If it is too far, why not ask a few kindred spirits in to chat and start your own branch of Pensioners for Independen­ce? Peer pressure is a powerful force. ELIZABETH SCOTT

Edinburgh

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