WITH the release of the Alba Party’s General Election manifesto on Wednesday, questions about the future of independence post-July 4 have begun to float around more.
It’s no surprise that independence is at the forefront of Alba’s campaign, with the party insisting that every single national election should be used to seek a mandate to initiate independence negotiations and “not yet another mandate for a referendum”.
This comes after John Swinney appeared to row back on the SNP’s pledge to start independence negotiations if the party wins a majority of seats in Scotland.
But where does this leave the case for independence? What happens if the SNP don’t win most seats, as many polls predict?
Alba say the answer lies two years down the line, with the next Holyrood election.
In a message to voters, Alba Party leader Alex Salmond said: “The Alba Party are clear that it is the Scottish Parliament election in 2026 that remains our strategic priority.”
He continued: “In the five years since the last UK election there has been a global pandemic, three prime ministers and a cost of living crisis.
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“During this period an ill-fated venture to the UK Supreme Court also blocked off the referendum route to independence for now.
“That is why at this election the Alba Party seeks to introduce the argument that it will still be at the ballot box that Scotland secures our independence but with each and every election fought on that mandate.
“Alba believe that in 2026 this campaign will sweep the country.”
It’s an interesting approach, and one that appears to accept that the results of July 4 will not reveal huge support for Scottish parties.
The 2026 election seems like the next best option, as Keir Starmer has already made it clear he will not enter negotiations with the SNP.
It’s almost inevitable that we’ll be heading for a Labour majority government, but grassroots campaigners might be feeling understandably frustrated with there being no clear plan for continuing to advocate for independence if – or more realistically, when – this happens.
Perhaps it’s time we ask them what the future of the independence movement should look like.
We reached out to the SNP for comment but did not receive a response.
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