By Bob Duncan
Labour For Independence (LFI) has kicked off their communities-based campaign in the Labour heartland of Pollok in Glasgow, the parliamentary constituency of Scottish Labour leader Johann Lamont MSP.
This follows the commitment from the group’s first conference, which was attended last month by over 90 delegates, to move the campaign from a solely social media phenomenon to a ‘boots on ground’ approach.
Labour For Independence was set up by Scottish Labour Party member Allan Grogan, who became frustrated at the continual refusal of party bosses to acknowledge support among a sizeable number of Labour party supporters for independence.
The campaigning, in conjuncture with the YES Glasgow group, saw LFI engage with the public during what was seen as a very successful event, in which a number of independence declarations were signed.
At the event, LFI founder Allan Grogan joined West Coast Co-ordinator Alex Bell and other LFI ambassadors to discuss with the public the benefits of independence for the people of Scotland. At the event there were four Labour party members within the group.
This event follows a successful branch debate on independence for LFI at the Strathkelvin Labour branch.
Labour for Independence is a rapidly growing group within the Labour party. It began life on social media sites where it already has over 1500 Facebook likes, over 1000 twitter followers and has enjoyed in excess of 25,000 hits on the campaign website.
Labour for Independence will continue to campaign through social media but they also have many more campaign events planned in the New Year.
The group has also begun to recruit ambassadors around the country which is already expanding the groups reach in communities. They set up this ambassador programme to ensure an LFI presence within every Labour region of Scotland
“It’s a great way to start our grass roots campaign,” said Mr Grogan. “We are delighted to begin in such a strong Labour area. I think it’s really important that we are here offering the people of Pollok a positive message for their future. Something which their current MSP fails to do.”