The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Yes rally rues ‘dark day
Dundondians turned out in their hundreds last night in a show of support for independence after the Supreme Court ruled against Holyrood holding its own referendum.
Dundee registered the highest vote for independence in 2014, at 57% for Yes.
Eight years on, proindependence campaigners told how they were “angry, upset and disappointed” that there will not be a clear route to a second referendum in 2023.
At the rally in City Square, independence supporter Lee Mills said: “Today is the day democracy has died.
“It is a sad state of affairs when another country tells us how we should or shouldn’t feel.
“There will be a referendum whether they like it or not.”
Mike Strachan agreed, saying: “I feel this is a dark day for democracy.
“I am angry, upset and disappointed.
“The democratic will of the people of Scotland has been ignored. We voted for a pro-independence parliament and the UK Government doesn’t respect that.”
Councillor Lynne Short, who represents the SNP on Dundee City Council, said she was pleased to be able to see so many people that she met during the 2014 referendum campaign again, but added: “It just shows how unequal our union of equals is. We will be independent.”
Members of the Women for Independence group also came out to join the rally in City Square.
Jean Kemp, from the group, said: “I am just upset and bereft, just like I was back in 2014.”
Carol Mcgregor added: “The court proceedings were a complete waste of time and money.
“I am so angry and depressed which is why I came out here tonight.”
And Aimee Chalmers said: “The Supreme Court’s decision was a ludicrous one.
“To say we are not a colony but we can’t decide what we want doesn’t make any sense.”
There were a number of speeches given at the rally, including from city council leader John Alexander.
He said: “I am still clear on my ambition for my city and my nation.
“I studied law at Dundee University so I respect the judgment.
“But this focuses the minds on the political reality which is the UK is preventing democracy within these islands.
“The UK Government is running scared.”
Mr Alexander said that it was only right the question of Scottish independence is put to the people once more, as so much has changed in the past decade.
He continued: “This could be in an international context, a national context or even a personal context.
“If I think back to the last 10 years, I have become a father twice, I have got married and I have become leader of the council.
“My personal circumstances have changed and that will be true for all 5.5 million people in Scotland.
“I don’t understand the argument that we can’t ask the question again after that period of time, because it is even more relevant now.”
But pro-union campaigners yesterday insisted it was time for the issue of independence to be dropped.
Pamela Nash, chief executive of Scotland in Union, said: “We now have a clear verdict from the Supreme Court confirming that the SNP and the Greens cannot hold a referendum of their own accord.
“They must now listen to the vast majority of people in Scotland who do not want a divisive second referendum, and who want to vote on the issues that really matter in the next general election, such as addressing the cost of living crisis.
“It is time for the government to drop its obsession with breaking up our country and focus on the people’s priorities, not the SNP’S.”