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Radical Independence Campaign unveils people’s vow on devolution

Three thousand people cheered the announcement of a “people’s vow” at the Radical Independence Campaign (RIC) annual conference in Glasgow at the weekend.

In response to pledges of further devolution made by pro-union politicians in September’s independence referendum, the vow includes an anti-austerity “people’s budget” to protect public services from cuts, radical land reform and opposition to fracking and atomic weapons.

In a passionate speech at the closing plenary RIC co-founder Cat Boyd called for “direct action” to stop fracking, and “an intensive campaign of civil disobedience” against Trident.

Ms Boyd urged the Scottish government to “use the planning laws we have” to stop fracking and called on supporters to “engage in direct action against Ineos and Jim Ratcliffe.”

The boss of the Grangemouth-based petrochemical company has recently announced plans for massive shale gas extraction across central Scotland.

“We will no longer allow Nato to use Scotland as a dumping ground for nuclear weapons,” Ms Boyd said.

And she warned that any politicians who failed to support “positive action on gender equality” would be “punished.”

Ms Boyd told delegates “the movement for independence was the greatest self-education event in Scotland’s history” and called on them to “reach out to the 55 per cent who weren’t quite there yet.”

Scottish Greens convener Patrick Harvie MSP said his party welcomed the pledge.

“Whether it’s a living wage, renationalising public transport or reforming our feudal system of land ownership, a clear and overwhelming majority of people shares our belief that a better Scotland is possible,” he said.

Other participants at the event included Scottish Socialist Party convener Colin Fox, Red Pepper editor Hilary Wainwright, broadcaster Lesley Riddoch, former MP Bernadette McAliskey, writer Tariq Ali and PCS Scottish secretary Lynn Henderson.

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