A SPECIAL event looking at how the Celtic Alliance can help boost Scottish independence is taking place next week.
The event, which is being held on Saturday in Edinburgh, will explore the benefits of having nationalist administrations in all three devolved UK nations following the May elections.
Titled "Will the Celtic Alliance help Scottish independence and EU membership?", the event is set to explore the impact of the alliance on aspirations for Scottish and Welsh independence, Irish unification, and EU membership.
Former SNP MP Philippa Whitford is set to speak at the event, where she will discuss what she learned while taking part in meetings with MEPs from European Union countries during a visit to Brussels in June.
There will also be a panel discussion and Q&A session facilitated by The National's digital, audience and content editor Laura Pollock, who also runs The Celtic Alliance Report newsletter.
Organisers have said the event is "timely" given Prime Minister Andy Burnham has ruled out both a second Scottish independence referendum and a reunification poll Ireland.
In a visit to Scotland in July, Burnham told First Minister John Swinney that another referendum is "off limits" because it would take the UK Government's focus "away from growing the economy and helping families with the cost of living".
And in a visit to Belfast, the Prime Minister told the media that a referendum on a united Ireland was "off the table ".
However, No 10 later rolled back and accepted that they would abide by the Good Friday Agreement, which says the UK Government "shall" call a referendum if it looks like voters would support Irish reunification.
Next weekend's event forms part of the Scotland in the EU project, which is a collaboration between Yes for EU, Europe for Scotland, and Scottish Independence Podcasts.
The event will take place on Saturday, September 12 between 2.30pm and 4pm at the Quaker Meeting House, Victoria Street, Edinburgh.
It is free to attend, with donations to Yes for EU welcome.
You can also join the event virtually.
Click here for more information and to reserve a ticket.
