Actor Brian Cox launches ‘Spirit of Independence’ in Dundee

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Monday, 11 August 2014 20:11

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  Campaigning in Dundee today, Hollywood actor Brian Cox called on traditional Labour voters to look beyond party politics and embrace the once in a lifetime opportunity presented by a Yes vote to put Scotland on a path to greater success.
 
The Rector of Dundee University was back in his native city to help launch the ‘Spirit of Independence’, a restored 1950s Green Goddess, as it embarks on a colourful campaigning tour to take the Yes message across Scotland.

Chris Law, the creator and driver of the renovated fire engine will be explaining his reasons for voting Yes, including the removal of weapons of mass destruction and improving living standards.

Driver and events speaker Chris has been actively engaged in the independence debate for over three years.  He has a breadth of life and business experience from film, to leading Himalayan expeditions on motorcycles to currently working in financial services. Chris has closed down his own business for 3 months in order to encourage and support people to get out there and campaign for Scottish Independence.

He said: “Our plan is to carry as diverse a range of independence campaign material  – so that people who interact with Scotland’s Goddess will be presented with information which is appropriate for their needs and aspirations.  Our job is to offer a range of information from across the spectrum of the YES movement and direct those we engage with to information tailored to ‘their’ needs.”

The first part of his journey began today when Chris was waved off by Brian Cox and Dundee Yes supporters.

Brian Cox told a gathered crowd of supporters and onlookers that a Yes vote offers Scotland the chance to use its ‘vast wealth’ in a way that ‘works for the many’ and not just the few.

Mr Cox said: “It is increasingly clear that Westminster isn’t working for the people of Scotland. Earlier this year it was revealed by the Financial Times that Scotland is one of the top 20 wealthiest nations on the planet. We are wealthier per head than France, the UK and even Japan.
 
“And yet, for far too many of us, it doesn’t feel as though we live in one of the very wealthiest nations on the planet. That’s because the majority of people don’t feel the full benefit of Scotland’s vast wealth.
 
“One figure that lays bare the failing of the Westminster system is the fact that 70 per cent of people own just 25 per cent of the wealth. It is clear that Westminster only works for the few, whereas with a Yes we can make sure Scotland’s vast wealth works for the many.
 
“With a Yes we can ensure that Scotland’s wealth, resources and talent are put to work for the benefit of the people who live here. For the first time ever we will have economic and social policy designed in Scotland and for Scotland and that means we can deliver much more for people across our country.
 
“This is one of the biggest gains for people from a Yes vote. We can make Scotland’s wealth work better for the people who live here and that is too good an opportunity to miss, especially for those thousands of Scots who are traditional Labour voters.
 
“That is why I would urge all those who remain loyal to Labour in Scotland to look beyond politics as usual and to seize this historic moment for our nation.
 
“With a Yes, we can protect those elements of our society that we value most, like our NHS and a fair and comprehensive welfare state. In particular, we can make sure that the financial fall out from Westminster’s privatisation agenda can’t damage Scotland’s precious health service.
 
“For those of us who hold firm to Labour values and believe in a society that has at its very heart a sense of collective responsibility, a Yes is now the only real choice.”

Brian starred in The Bourne Identity, Braveheart, Troy, X-Men 2 and Bob Servant Independent.  He is also the voice of the aminated cartoon character ‘Duggy Dug’.