SCOTTISH Greens say the time is right for a new independence campaign and work should start now on the policies and movement necessary to ensure the next referendum is won.
The comments come from party co-conveners Maggie Chapman and Patrick Harvie, who will both address the Scottish Independence Convention (SIC) in Glasgow today.
Chapman said the need for independence was becoming clearer every day. She said: “For me and for many others, the 2014 referendum vote was the most significant event in our political lives.
“By making the case for radical change we captured the imagination of thousands of Scots. Greens brought our distinctive values to this, arguing for a more democratic country with real social security through a citizen’s income and a re-industrialisation based on renewables that appealed well beyond the traditional supporters of independence.
“As the creaking British state lurches from crisis to crisis, the need for independence becomes clearer and clearer.
“It is time to start building the independence movement again so that when the next referendum comes we are in a place to convince thousands more Scots that another, and better, Scotland is possible.”
Harvie said now is the time to put into practice the lessons learned from the 2014 poll.
“Independence supporters must build a strong case if we’re to convince everyone who voted Yes to do so again, as well as the many No voters who don’t want Scotland to be dragged along with the UK’s self-destructive Brexit process,” he said. “The diversity of political views on the pro-independence side, as is shown by today’s convention, is a strength and we should make the most of it.
“Greens know that supporting independence doesn’t mean backing the SNP on other issues, and we’ll continue to make a distinctive Green case for an independent Scotland that moves beyond fossil fuel economics and shares the wealth of our society more fairly.”
Harvie added that an independent Scotland would be able to convince people that change in the world can be “for the better”.
In a year that had seen Donald Trump’s victory in the US presidential race, Vladimir Putin flexing Russia’s muscles and the rise of radical nationalists it was vital that Scotland was seen to be an example of progressive reform, both domestically and internationally. He told the CommonSpace website: “It’s hard to look around at the way things have turned out and not feel insecurity. But we mustn’t forget that it was the political mainstream which brought us to this situation and the political mainstream which gave us an economy that doesn’t represent us.
“Let us never forget that there is so much we can do to shift the tide away from fear. We can rekindle the belief in the ability to change the world for the better.”
He said it was important that Scotland implemented progressive measures before and after independence, after the rise of populists such as Trump and French National Front leader Marine Le Pen on a wave of disillusionment and inequality.
“Look at Austria, where a Green candidate defeated a fascist. That’s what happens when you give people a progressive choice and set of policies,” he said.
Former SNP leader and First Minister Alex Salmond addressed the SIC relaunch last year. He said ahead of today’s event: “Successful campaigns are based on organisation and therefore the Build conference is an important start to that process.
“We are on a political timetable to a possible referendum within two years’ time and therefore the Independence Convention are right to lay the groundwork now to ensure victory in indyref2.”
Actress and comedienne Elaine C Smith, the SIC convener, will open today’s event, which will also hear from Equalities Secretary Angela Constance, former Holyrood minister Jim Mather, SNP MP Tommy Sheppard and The National’s founder and consultant editor, Richard Walker.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel