A NEW pro-independence party has launched with plans to run for regional list seats at next year’s Holyrood election.
The Independence For Scotland Party (ISP) will be run by Colette Walker, who last year ran for the SNP women’s convener position.
The position was won by Glasgow councillor Rhiannon Spear who signed the Out For Independence pledge, while Walker signed an alternative Women’s Pledge.
The disability rights activist’s new party made an announcement on Twitter this afternoon.
The team’s plans were revealed by pro-indy Twitter account @daTARTANSPARTAN.
She said: “Hi guys, I am so excited to share some good news with you. A few of us have been working one establishing a new Scottish independence party since last autumn.
Announcement on behalf of @ColetteWalker12 the leader of the Independence for Scotland Party (ISP), @daTARTANSPARTAN and the rest of the team. pic.twitter.com/kwi6DVOk3m
— IndependenceForScotlandParty (@IndyScotParty) May 9, 2020
“And I am delighted to announce that we have been formally approved by the Electoral Commission.
“Please bear with us over the next few weeks as we navigate how to launch a new party in these times of coronavirus.
“And please have patience while we get our website up and running.”
She said the group would do their best to answer people’s questions in the meantime.
On Twitter, Walker posted: “Just for the record, we are not going against the SNP, we are only putting candidates forward for regional list seats, I would seriously hope Nicola and I would want a majority of Indy MSP’s in Holyrood in 2021.”
Just for the record , we are not going against the snp, we are only putting candidates forward for regional list seats , I would seriously hope Nicola and I would want a majority of Indy MSP’s in holyrood in 2021 https://t.co/osasSKlfmb
— Colette Walker (@ColetteWalker12) May 9, 2020
A recent YouGov poll suggested the SNP are on track to gain a majority at the Scottish Parliament election next year, with 54% of people saying they plan to vote for Nicola Sturgeon’s party as their first vote, and 45% said they’d back them in the regional list vote.
Disagreements within the SNP over the indyref2 strategy and (currently postponed) GRA reform proposals have led some to suggest new a new pro-independence party could join the Greens in Holyrood as a challenger.
The ISP announcement comes after blogger Wings Over Scotland last year announced his plans to create a new political party to challenge the SNP at Holyrood.
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