NATIONAL columnist David Pratt’s article arguing that the SNP’s current silence on independence is “deafening” has sparked reaction online, with backing from the party’s MP Joanna Cherry.
In this week’s column, Foreign Affairs Editor Pratt said launching a new campaign is a “matter of urgency”, and warned leaders within the SNP that the patience of those seeking independence is “not endless”.
“There were a lot of promises made during the May election in Scotland, not least by the SNP on that elusive second independence referendum,” wrote Pratt. “Maybe it’s just me, but since then hasn’t it all gone curiously quiet on that front?”
READ MORE: David Pratt: Post-election silence on independence from SNP is deafening
The columnist argued that while patience and timing are crucial to achieving independence, there is also a need for “situational awareness when circumstances shift significantly”.
He went on: “It’s now long overdue for the FM and those SNP MSPs and MPS to go on the political offensive. Should they fail to do so, then don’t add insult to injury by feigning surprise or grumbling when others within the indy movement take up the baton.”
Pratt’s article has been the best-read piece on The National website this morning and generated wide discussion on social media.
Cherry QC, the MP for Edinburgh South West, thanked Pratt for writing the column. “It contains advice my party would do well to heed,” she tweeted. “Given your standing I hope it will be listened to & not met with the shoot the messenger approach with which some of us are all too familiar.”
Fellow National contributor Pat Kane wrote that he agreed with Pratt, arguing there is a place for being “super-sensible” as well as a need to be “radical & transformatory”.
Other readers disagreed, arguing that the SNP are being deliberately strategic. “The silence is making way for the noise coming from Westminster & Cummings so that we can all hear and see what's going on & how badly they've handled things,” suggested Martin Kelly. “They have made the case for independence even stronger without anyone in Scotland having to say anything!”
“It’s been just over a month,” added Michael Gill. “They’ve only just agreed the committee membership for the new Parliament. The strategy was clear, we need to get through Covid first, specifically now vaccinations. I don’t get this continual undermining of the leadership.”
READ MORE: Release secret independence polling or face fresh court action, SNP tell Tories
In the run up to the Scottish Parliament election, former SNP leader Alex Salmond announced he would be leading Alba – arguing that his ex-party needed to prioritise seeking independence, and if they did not he would do so.
He called for independence negotiations to be launched immediately after the May 6 vote, but this was dismissed by the SNP. Speaking in April, Nicola Sturgeon said she did not think "we should propose a referendum right at this moment".
Two former SNP MPs left to join the party, though it did not have a successful election and failed to secure any seats in Holyrood.
Neale Hanvey and Kenny Macaskill continue to represent Alba at Westminster and want to push the independence agenda, but the pair have been replaced by SNP representatives on the Commons committees they sat on.
Alba also intend to fight next year’s local elections and have representation on councils across Scotland, as councillors defected to join during its Holyrood campaign.
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