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The Scottish Socialist Party will hold a meeting next week in Kilwinning in an attempt to encourage people to vote ‘Yes’ on September 18.

As the referendum campaign enters its final few weeks, the SSP said it was intensifying its efforts to contribute to the final push of Yes Scotland campaigners.

The first in a series of party public meetings will take place on Monday, August 18 at Cranberry Moss Community Centre, starting at 7.30pm.

According to a recent Survation poll, support for independence has fallen following the televised debate last week between First Minister Alex Salmond and head of the Better Together campaign, Alistair Darling.

Excluding undecided voters, support for independence stood at 43 percent against 57 percent in favour of the union.

A recent YouGov survey added pressure to the pro-independence campaign, finding support for the union at 55 per cent and 35 per cent planning to vote for independence. Undecided voters accounted for ten per cent.

But despite what many see as a bad week for Mr Salmond and the Yes campaign, supporters of independence are optimistic that they can turn the tide around.

SSP regional organiser, Richie Venton, said this week: “With just five weeks to go, and increasing numbers declaring themselves undecided, the SSP is determined to let local people hear the socialist case for independence.

“We are the socialist wing of the Yes campaign. We don’t want to just swap flags, but to change utterly the conditions the working class majority population of Scotland live under.

“Mother and carer Louise Cameron will address the issues women especially seek clarity on at our public meeting.

“Local UNISON trade union chairman Colin Turbett will also explain why working people have most to gain from independence.

“And I will be explaining why a Yes vote is not only the quickest escape route from vicious Tory dictatorship over Scotland, but also the golden opportunity to shape our future and build for a socialist majority Scottish government.

“This meeting will answer questions that are left unanswered by the TV debates, so all are warmly welcome with their questions and opinions.”

Many on the left are keen to push the message that the independence referendum is not a vote for Alex Salmond.

But with the First Minister set for a second televised debate with Mr Darling on Monday, August 25, Yes supporters will be counting on a robust performance if the campaign is to succeed in five weeks’ time.