Public Meeting - Kemnay

Although impartial to the debate, Kemnay Parish Church kindly hosted the Yes Aberdeenshire Public Meeting this evening. Flora Douglas chaired the meeting and was joined by speakers Bob Ingram of the Scottish Democratic Alliance and Gillian Martin from Women for Independence. There was a good turn out from the local community. Yes supporters seemed to make up the majority however both undecided and no voters were welcomed and their contributions to the meeting appreciated. Local counsellor for West Garioch, Allison Grant was also present at the meeting, overseeing the evening.

Bob Ingram, engineer and businessman, spoke mainly about the current financial set up of the United Kingdom at present and then moved on to explain the proposed outlines of how a sovereign Scotland would work in regards to taxes and banking. Gillian Martin, lecturer at North East Scotland College discussed how an independent Scotland would benefit women, especially those with families wishing to continue their careers.

Question time saw topics such as Europe, benefits, shipbuilding, immigration and defense as well as a few others come up. The audience engaged in informative discussion and had the opportunity to have queries answered by the speakers.

I spoke to a member of the audience who told me he wanted an independent Scotland for his grandchildren to grow up in. Aged 80, he had been standing up for independence since around 1957 and hopes that this year will be the year that independence for Scotland in the outcome of the referendum.