The success of our Final Say petition shows the value of newspapers campaigning for important causes

When The Independent launched its Final Say campaign in July, we hoped and believed that it would gain significant traction. But we could not know that just three months later a million people would have signed our petition; and that 700,000 would have turned out for a march to demand a further vote over Britain’s future relationship with the EU.

Passing the million milestone on our Final Say petition on Saturday was a remarkable moment, which will further increase pressure on the prime minister to put whatever Brexit deal she negotiates with Brussels – if any – to the public. Equally, it is reminder that there is still much to do to ensure that demands for a Final Say are heard and acted on. There will certainly be no let-up in The Independent’s campaign.

Some people question why newspapers involve themselves in campaigning at all. We should, it is occasionally argued, do nothing more than report the news and allow readers to do what they choose with the information they obtain thereby.

Yet that is a dereliction of the journalistic role, which is not only to report but also to analyse – and, where appropriate, to act on that analysis. From the Daily Mail campaigning to bring the killers of Stephen Lawrence to justice, to The Guardian’s campaign for an end to female genital mutilation, there is a strong tradition in the UK of newspapers not just reporting, but also acting.

The Independent campaigned against the Iraq War; we also highlighted the dangers of global warming earlier than most; and in 2015 we argued that the government should take in more refugees from Syria. The Final Say campaign continues that proud heritage.

From time to time, I’m asked why a title called The Independent should take a view on any subject, let alone campaign on it. But being independent is not synonymous with being neutral. Rather, it means that we are free to make judgements on the basis of an open-minded analysis by our well-informed journalists and editors. We will continue to report and to interpret; and to seek change when we believe it is right to do so.

Yours,

Will Gore
Executive editor