Victoria (V) Pearson

Victoria Pearson is a writer and mum of four who lives behind a keyboard in Bedfordshire, England.

Having always wanted to be a writer, V started to think it was an achievable dream when she wrote and edited a feature for the Guardian when she was 17. Following that, she appeared live on the Richard and Judy show to discuss factors that influence teenage pregnancy rates in the Uk.

V has worked as a peer mentor to help reduce teenage pregnancy rates and educate young people about drug and alcohol misuse, and moved on from that to working as a Learning Support Assistant for children with Special Educational Needs. With a keen interest in communication in all forms, V specialised in working with children on the Autistic spectrum and supporting them to stay in mainstream education.

V was politicised at an early age by her Socialist grandfather, who she used to bond with over "fat men arguing" (PMQs), but she became more active following the birth of her third child, who was born with Congenital Heart Defects. Having received world class health care for herself and her son, V was horrified to discover that in countries without universal health care, people who couldn't afford $100,000 for the life saving operation her son had received for free were being forced to abort their much wanted children. She has made it her personal mission to try and stop NHS privatisation, believing it to be the UK's proudest achievement.

Following the Brexit vote, V joined the Labour party, hoping to help protect human rights and workers rights. She is hopeful that with Jeremy Corbyn leading the party, socialism will cease to be seen as a dirty word and we will begin to move toward greater equality, protected free healthcare and Universal Basic Income.

V writes strange fiction (which you can find here), and poetry as well as fantasy, sci-fi and dystopian novels. She is rumoured to be 106, but is far too tired to find out if that's true.

You can follow V's political ramblings on twitter - @vspearson85

Or find out more about her writing on her blog and website or on Facebook.

Allan Grogan

 Allan Grogan was the founder and National Spokesperson of Labour for Independence - a pro independence organisation which campaigned from within the Labour Party from 2012-2014. 

A lifelong Labour supporter and member for over ten years. Allan left the party in September 2014 and joined the Scottish Socialist Party being elected to the National Executive Committee in May 2015. He has since left the SSP over electoral strategy and overall long term vision.

A graduate of Dundee University where he gained an honours degree in Politics and International Relations. Allan now works as a school teacher, having previously taught in South Korea and travelled Asia extensively. A socialist and Scottish independence supporter, Allan continues as an activist in his local area and within the pro yes and left wing movements in Scotland.

You can read more about Allan on his website
Or follow him on twitter @allangrogan

Red Raiph

After his mysterious arrival on Twitter in 2012, tenteen-year-old Red Raiph, set out to change the world for the better — one tweet at a time.

Passionate about politics, equality and independence for Scotland, he uses his own brand of humour to entertain and inform  both young and old alike.

A published author and prolific artist, his paintings have been displayed during the Edinburgh Fringe. But he is perhaps more well known for his books, often described as so hilarious that they should come with a health warning.

Raiph dreams of having his infamous livetweets transformed into stage performances, and to one day see his political satire have its own space in a national newspaper.

Always happy to showcase the beauty of the Scots language, his frequently misspelled utterances can be found on his Twitter timeline. Do follow @raiphsays, and as he would say himself, whit cin go rang?

You can find his books here

Or find out more on his website 

Or visit his shop

Podcast Schedule

If you want to contribute to the podcast, you'll need to get your recordings to Neil Scott by the dates listed here:

#Yes2, the International Butterflies and the Screams of the Traditional Media!

"Two Furra Pound"

Our new podcast!

Over caffeinated conversation on IndependenceLive.net HERE (mentioned by @nwsocialist and Chuck Hamilton on thepodcast)
Music by:


Hand of Dog
The Blackheart Orchestra
The Unholy A-Men
The Tuts
Joe Solo
Steve White and the Protest Family
The Wakes
The Hurriers
The Cundeez

The Band is back thegither...