The Victoria Halls was full to capacity for a referendum question and answer session with Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon on Monday, August 18, after Jim Murphy MP took his 100 Streets in 100 Days Tour to the Burgh’s Colquhoun Square on Saturday.

More than 400 people turned up to see Ms Sturgeon take part in a ‘lively’ question and answer session with topics that included the future of Faslane and Coulport in an independent Scotland, protecting the NHS, pensions, and how an independent Scotland would champion free university tuition. Speaking to the Advertiser after the meeting, the Glasgow Southside MSP said: “Events like the one in Helensburgh confirm that across the length and breadth of Scotland, people are engaging with the referendum in unprecedented numbers and want to know what a Yes vote will mean for them.

“A Yes vote is our one opportunity to create more and better jobs for young people, fully protect our NHS from Westminster privatisation and build a society that works for the many, not just the few. People are waking up to the opportunities of what a Yes vote will mean for them – as witnessed by the significant gain in support for Yes in the most recent opinion polling.

“That is why events like the one in Helensburgh are so important and I am confident that they will help to convince people across Scotland to vote Yes in September.” This was the 14th and final public meeting organised by Yes Helensburgh and Lomond since January.

Two days prior, the Better Together campaign launched a new leaflet in Helensburgh, highlighting ‘the risks’ to naval jobs on the Clyde from a vote for independence.

Jim Murphy MP for East Renfrewshire, and Labour’s Shadow Minister for International Development, was accompanied by Jackie Baillie MSP for Dumbarton, Annabel Goldie MSP for West Scotland, and Alan Reid MP for Argyll and Bute.

Mr Murphy used a mobile stage of two Irn Bru crates and a public address system to outline to an audience of around 80 people the case for Scotland staying in the UK.

Mr Murphy told the Advertiser: “The Faslane naval base is the biggest single site employer in Scotland, providing jobs for 6,700 civilian and military personnel. That number is due to rise to 8,200 by 2022. All of those jobs will be put at risk if Scotland votes for separation in September.

“We need to remember the UK does not order complex warships from foreign countries. If Scotland votes to leave the UK then our shipyard won’t get access to UK defence contracts.” Jackie Baillie, who is a director of Better Together, added: “The SNP promise much but the truth is tucked away on page 239 of the White Paper. There will only be 2,000 jobs at the base post independence, so 4,700 hard working local people will be thrown on the scrapheap.”