A new daily newspaper for Scotland which explicitly supports independence is being trialled from today.
The National, a new 32-page tabloid, went on sale this morning priced 50p and is aimed at the 1.6m Scots who voted to leave the Union in September’s referendum.
The trial is being carried out by the Glasgow-based Herald & Times Group, part of Newsquest, which also publishes the Herald and Sunday Herald.
It launch follows the success earlier this year of the Sunday Herald which posted a 111pc year-on-year sales increase after becoming the only Scottish daily or Sunday title to back the independence campaign.
Editor Richard Walker pictured with the new paper
The new title was formally unveiled by editor Richard walker at a rally of Scottish National Party supporters organised by new First Minister Nicola Sturgeon on Saturday.
Richard, who also edits the Sunday Herald, said: “We lost the referendum but the political momentum behind independence is growing by the day, evidenced by the doubling of membership of the SNP, and the ongoing debate about extra powers for the Scottish Parliament.”
Managing director Tim Blott added: “The National is an exciting opportunity to meet the needs of a very politically-engaged section of the Scottish population. We recognise that launching a newspaper in 2014 is to some extent counter-intuitive but we consistently argue for the power of great journalism and informed opinion.
“We will trial the new title in its proposed format for a week and if, as anticipated, it takes off then it will become a new and dynamic fixture in Scottish publishing.”
News of the impending launch had emerged on Friday after the Herald & Times group sent out a letter to newsagents about it.
The letter, written by group head of circulation Malcolm Macdonald, says the launch is “a response to reader requests for a daily title which supports independence.”
Although September’s referendum resulted in an overall ‘no’ vote to independence, voters in the Herald & Times group’s Glasgow heartland voted yes by a wide margin.
Since the referendum, membership of the Scottish National Party has passed 80,000 and its new leader Ms Sturgeon has become Scotland’s first female First Minister.
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Sad to see but not surprising. An American-based company sees no harm in encouraging the break-up of Britain for profit. Pass the sickbag.
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Haven’t they missed the boat… thought Scotland was with the UK for the foreseeable.
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Likewise, there must be a market for a paper to support UKIP.
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Surely the creation of a new daily title when others are dropping like flies is something to be applauded.
And not necessarily missing the boat. Depending on the outcome of the Smith Commission, not to mention next year’s general election and 2016’s Holyrood elections, which both predict the SNP to make big gains, a fresh referendum could be on the cards a lot sooner than you might think.
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At least they are upfront about it. Not like sneaky editors down south who give free space for Tory propaganda with no balance from other parties.
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Will it be subbed in Wales?
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For “subbed” read “thrown together.”
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No-one does wallowing in defeat like us Scots. Laughable actually. A once-great newspaper (The Herald) who now cut staff year on year are now throwing money at a brand new publication that supports Independence two months after the majority of Scotland … voted against Independence. A bright spark’s money-making plan aimed to tap into the gullible and frustrated 45 (44.7?) who cannot accept the democratic will of the nation. What ever happened to healing the wounds and working together post-referendum? That lasted a while eh?
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Who is writing and subbing it? I don’t recall them hiring any new staff. Think I know the answer…
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Better to have had a go than die wondering, haters.
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