Friendly debate as Courier Independence Referendum Roadshow rolls into Perthshire
ByRichard Burdge
Councillor Dave Doogan, who is in the Yes camp, and Councillor Dennis Melloy, who is in the No camp, enjoy some friendly rivalry.
Local politicians on both sides of the independence debate were on hand to field questions at Thursday’s Courier referendum roadshow.
SNP councillors Alan Grant and Dave Doogan talked up the Yes campaign while the Conservative councillor Dennis Melloy represented Better Together to the people of Coupar Angus.
Each group claimed to be winning the battle on the doorstep, with The Courier straw poll narrowly showing a preference for a Yes vote in the town.
“We remain confident but are taking nothing for granted,” Mr Doogan said.
Mr Melloy said the public had turned out in force to Better Together public meetings and he is hoping for a good turnout for the September referendum.
He said the campaigning on both sides had been “good-natured” which was illustrated when all sides pulled together to retrieve The Courier polling apparatus when a gust of wind scattered hundreds of balls across the square.
Earlier in the day the roadshow was in Balbeggie and Burrelton and today it will be in Burntisland (from 10am to noon) and Crossgates (from 2pm to 4pm).
