Believe in Scotland discusses three-point strategy to win Scottish independence

Led by the group’s founder Gordon MacIntyre-Kemp, the fringe event was chaired by SNP MSP Karen Adam.

Speaking at the event, MacIntyre-Kemp said it was important to “find a way to work together and agree common goals” to be successful. 

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“What I want to see happen is for a period of discussion in Scotland where the Scottish people are once again engaged in thinking outside political boxes and thinking about what are their hopes and dreams for a better Scotland,” he said.

The three-point plan included the following key points: 

1. A credible and competent political arm of the movement that is in government (SNP/Greens)
2. A well-funded, professional organised national campaigning body
3. A new national conversation to co-create a shared vision of a better Scotland (citizens’ convention)

MacIntyre-Kemp continued: “I’ve been criticised for talking about paradigm shifts. You know what, as the movement as a whole we’re in the business of changing the mindset of an entire nation.

“We better learn what paradigm shifts are and what the skillsets are to make them happen because we’re not currently doing it properly.”

On the topic of a citizens’ convention, MacIntyre-Kemp added: “We need a national convention, a national conversation, a citizens’ convention where we challenge the people of Scotland to think outside of political tribalism about what sort of country they want to live in. 

“And if we have that conversation, they will come to the realisation that the country they want to live in can only be delivered through independence.”

He later explained: “The key thing to remember is it’s not an independence convention. I’ve spoken to the leading groups in Scotland, the big civic organisations. 

“If it’s about Scotland’s future in general to talk about everything, then they’ll all join. That’s how you get them involved.”

Karen Adam reaction

Speaking to The National after the event, Adam, who is the MSP for Banffshire and Buchan Coast, said you “can’t put a price” on the opportunity to engage with the grassroots movement at conference. 

Asked why she felt support for independence has remained steady despite the losses suffered by the SNP at the recent General Election, Adam said: “I don’t think there has been a fall in support for the SNP due to any independence focus, I think it was a Westminster election and people were focused on booting out the Tories. 

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“I think in regards of independence a lot of our membership want independence up there as a priority. 

“It’s hard to juggle that when you have the cost of living crisis, you have the Brexit issues and you have austerity that people were prioritising above independence so we’ve got that task of ensuring that independence is seen as an antidote to these things.”

However, she added she wants to see independence “front and centre” and that conference was about having an “open, honest discussion” about what the membership want to see from the party on independence going forwards. 

Adam (above) continued: “It’s difficult to hear the harsh truths from people, sometimes they’re hard to take in because we often feel we’re doing a really good job, working incredibly hard. 

“But sometimes you need people to refocus you and your efforts as well but at the end of the day it’s about working smarter and the more engagement we have, the more we get our focus right and the more we target those ideas.”