Eddie Barnes: All aboard, though not everybody can agree

Published on 23/09/2012 00:34

FROM dyed-in-the-woad Nationalist campaigners carrying their banners and flags, to supporters from Belgium, Italy and Spain, to grandmothers on a day out, to parents pushing their babies in smart buggies, the 5,000 people who enjoyed a late burst of Edinburgh sunshine yesterday presented a divergent (if very white) face to the world.

Inevitably, with such a mix, there was the odd jarring note for some. In his speech, Guido Moons of the VVB, the Flemish People’s Movement, compared Robert the Bruce’s victory over the English at Bannockburn to the modern day “battle” for independence. “Let the spirit of the great William Wallace inspire you. Long live an independent Scotland. Long live an independent Flanders,” he shouted. That prompted one trendy SNP politician to shudder, “It’s not our gig,” at such a display of overt Braveheartery. Meanwhile, from Scottish speakers, while the tone was overwhelmingly left-wing, policy differences between various nationalist supporters were evident – as is inevitable at an event which provides a microphone for Margo MacDonald.

However, campaign organisers also note that the discord is inevitable and welcome – forget the routes which people take, they argue, the destination is all. The organiser of yesterday’s rally, Jeff Duncan, had said his aim was simply to bring people together in the hope of forming ties for the two-year campaign ahead. The 5,000 turnout was always going to look small in contrast to the extraordinary displays in Catalonia two weeks ago when the streets of Barcelona were rammed with people demanding independence. It shows up what Nationalists acknowledge – that while the movement in Scotland has political direction on the bridge, it has yet to find enough enthusiastic passengers who are willing to jump on board.

Driving up this grassroots movement is the job of the YesScotland campaign over the coming two years. A similar event will take place again next September, with organisers promising higher numbers. How much higher will be telling.