Humza Yousaf promises pro-independence workshops and ‘debunking ministry’

The Health Secretary has promised that if he replaces Nicola Sturgeon at Bute House, he will set up grassroots workshops within his first three months as SNP leader.

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The independence seminars are available to all SNP members and are conducted in collaboration with key parliamentarians, activists and SNP headquarters.

Mr. Yousaf will also hold an online Q&A session available to all members in his first few weeks as party leader – and confirms he will provide monthly electronic updates thereafter, on which members will have an opportunity to provide feedback.

The candidate will also oversee the establishment of a “24/7 refutation service,” which he said will respond quickly to any misleading claims against the Yes campaign.

Mr. Yousaf said: “I am a son of the SNP family and was practically born into the movement when my father joined the movement in 1974 as one of the first Asian members.

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“Our success over the last few decades is due to the hard work and transplant of our high profile campaigners who paved the way for an independent Scotland that is now seen as inevitable.

“I’ve said time and again that independence is won at the doorstep, so we have a duty as a party to ensure activists are equipped with the tools they need.”

He added: “As your SNP leader, I am committed to an overhaul of the current Yes Scotland campaign – by offering our members in-person and online workshops led by some of our party’s key figures.

“I will be rolling out fundamental improvements to our independence resources to 2014 levels and making sure our SNP members have the information to convert no voters to yes voters at the push of a button.”

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“I will ensure that we as a party are equipped with the resources needed to have a 24/7 refutation service – ready to deal with disinformation and opposition attacks in minutes rather than days or weeks.”

Mr Yousaf has pledged to “enhance leadership accountability” by providing monthly updates on the SNP’s progress towards independence.

He claimed the move will allow party members “to tell me directly their views on how to achieve our common goal.”

Mr Yousaf added that under his leadership he will “enable our members to lead from the front so we can speak to voters again about where Scottish independence is won”.