**GREAT NEWS** The Yes campaign today welcomed the news that the President of the National Union of Students in Scotland has decided to back independence. Speaking in a personal capacity, Gordon Maloney said he wanted education to be “free, fair and funded for everyone” and to see Scotland built on values such as social justice, solidarity, equality and an international outlook. He added: “Crucially, partly as the son of immigrants but mostly as just someone whos not a racist, I cant sit back and let the UK Government keep treating international students and immigrants the way they are. “An independent Scotland offers us the chance to build a country that welcomes people from all over the world with open arms. “A No vote is a vote for further austerity, the snubbing of our need for immigration and a market fundamentalism that wants to privatise everything. When oil executives and big bankers make threats, I have no doubt which side Im on. “Im voting Yes out of confidence in the people on the streets making it happen.” Welcoming the endorsement, Education Secretary Michael Russell said: “This is a very welcome endorsement – perfectly highlighting the opportunities of a Yes vote for our young people in contrast to a No campaign which has nothing to offer but yet more austerity from the Westminster establishment. “These comments are another example of how the scaremongering of the Westminster establishment which David Cameron has co-ordinated in the last few days has backfired spectacularly on the No camp. Young people in Scotland can see through these blatant attempts at intimidation from the Westminster establishment “The opportunity to protect free education is just one of the reasons why more and more young people are switching from No to Yes – and I’m confident that Scotland’s young people will grasp the incredible opportunity of independence with both hands on Thursday.” Toni Giugliano, Yes Scotland groups adviser, said: “We’re delighted to have the support of Gordon Maloney. He is saying what many Scottish students are thinking - that Westminster’s policies on immigration and education are regressive and damaging. “The UK government’s decision to block post-study work visas for non-EU students has caused great harm, making it very difficult indeed for students from countries such as India to come here. That deprives them of a high quality Scottish education, our universities of income and our country of their cultural and educational contribution to our society.” He continued: “Only a vote for Yes will guarantee the free education which is so important to Gordon Maloney and all Scottish students. Going to university should be a right, not a privilege, and based on the ability to learn, not the ability to pay. “Independence will ensure that is safeguarded.”
Posted on: Fri, 12 Sep 2014 22:11:03 +0000