The #indyref debate has been raging on Twitter since the referendum date was set almost two years ago.
And today an Edinburgh-based group of artists gave it a new (and mildly entertaining) twist on Twitter with their #YesBecause project.
Inspired by the #IndyReasons Twitter campaign, National Collective started the project to showcase the diversity of the Yes movement in the face of perceived negative press.
Members of the public seized the opportunity with both hands and soon the hashtag was one of the highest trending in the UK with 199 tweets per minute. Here’s some of the best contributions.
I'm #YesBecause I want to live in a country that believes in equality and fairness, not food banks or nuclear weapons.
— euan (@tweeteuan) August 21, 2014
I'm #YesBecause Scotland is not too poor, not too stupid, not too wee & certainly not too late to tell the big boys we can thrive alone!
— SO'N (@SJONeill88) August 21, 2014
I support #YesBecause we're much more than tartan & heather, we are a modern vibrant democracy that has given so much to enrich the world.
— Charles Auchterlonie🏴🇪🇺🇺🇦 (@Geniussssss) August 21, 2014
And of course the other side of the debate had to get onboard as they started up their #NoBecause line. Unfortunately, despite a good attempt, this didn’t quite reach the widespread coverage of the original. Here are a few key Tweets from the ‘No’ side.
I'm #NoBecause because the prize of a fairer and more equal Britain is bigger than independence
— Thomas Raine (@ThomasRaine4) August 21, 2014
#Nobecause we now have armed police wandering about Inverness on a Saturday night #cheersEck
— sean hepburn (@dunglassfinest) August 21, 2014
#UK_Together #NoBecause #bettertogether I'm supporting No because I'm a Scot in London & don't want to live in a diminished UK.
— Chris (@ChristopherMN8) August 21, 2014
And as their ill-fated attempt to replicate the trending #YesBecause faltered – it soon became a target for a satirical outlook from the ‘Yes’ side. Have a read of some of the better ones here.
#NoBecause We cannot all be masters of our own destiny you know. Somebody has to do what they are told. It is what the class system is for.
— Alan Knox (@alanknox) August 21, 2014
.I'm #nobecause our foodbanks are so well protected by trident #indyref #voteyes
— brigadoon braveheart (@Dickybeau) August 21, 2014
I'm #NoBecause Mel Gibson isn't even Scottish.
— Robbie (@RabTheKrab) August 21, 2014
https://twitter.com/Darkblue1965/status/502485492840288256