No more waiting – it's time to let the people decide

September 18, 2014, was a day that electrified our country. For two years leading up to that empowered 15 hours, Scotland was alive with democratic engagement as 84% of eligible voters came forward to answer a single, profound question: “Should Scotland be an independent country?”

That question, though answered “no”– evident from the first result from the Scottish political bellwether Clackmannanshire’s declaration – sparked a movement that remains alive today.

In the years since, Scotland has shown unyielding resilience and hunger to shape our future. The almost two-year campaign revealed a simple truth: when the people of Scotland are asked to determine our destiny, we rise to the occasion.

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Reflecting on the last decade, I am reminded that the energy of 2014 did not dissipate – it transformed. Independent think tanks like the Common Weal have led the way in policy development, pushing forward ideas that resonate across the political spectrum, from a Green New Deal to a National Care Service. These efforts have been crucial in preparing Scotland for independence and proving that self-determination is possible and preferable for our best future.

The work of the Scottish Currency Group (SCG) is a testament to the importance of preparation. The currency question – a perceived weakness in the 2014 campaign – is being rigorously addressed.

I was honoured to help chair their recent conference in Dunfermline, where global experts came together to chart a course for a stable financial future for an independent Scotland. This forward thinking ensures we are ready to take on the challenges and opportunities of independence and prepare for when the time comes.

Despite this progress, we still face opposition. Some politicians in Holyrood and Westminster seem intent on silencing the people’s will, reluctant to allow Scotland to revisit the question of independence.

This week, my amendment to let the people of Scotland use the 2026 Scottish Parliament election list vote as a clear and decisive plebiscite on independence was rejected by 125 votes to 1.

My motion amendment was a simple one: let the people choose. It read: “10 years on from the Scottish independence referendum, the next democratic opportunity must be set, with a commitment to use the Scottish Parliament election list vote as a plebiscite for the people of Scotland to demonstrate their constitutional choice for independence.”

Yet the principles of democracy demand that the people’s voices be heard. This refusal to embrace democratic choice only delays the inevitable and undermines the authority we are entrusted with as elected representatives.

The Scottish Parliament, as the cornerstone of our democracy, plays a crucial role in the independence process. It was established to represent the will of the Scottish people, give us control over our affairs, and offer a platform for debate, ideas, and solutions.

(Image: PA)

As MSPs, it is our duty to provide the people with a clear, informed choice regarding their future. To deny them choice on the fundamental question of who governs them is to deny the very essence of democracy.

Scotland’s future must be decided by the people who live here, work here, and contribute to our communities. Whether you support independence or prefer to remain in the Union, your voice should be heard in a transparent, respectful, and empowering process.

The debate must not be feared; it should be embraced. It is our differences and the discussions that arise from them that create the solutions and innovations that move us forward.

The “Groundhog Day” cycle of asking Westminster for permission to hold an independence referendum must end. Scotland is not a subsidiary of another government; we are a nation in our own right.

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When the time comes for Scotland to decide its future again, it will not be decided in London. It will be decided here – by the people of Scotland. We are ready for that decision and must push forward with courage and conviction.

The 2026 Scottish Parliament election provides us with the perfect opportunity to break this constitutional deadlock. By allowing the people to explicitly instruct their representatives through the list ballot – by choosing independence or union – we can offer the clarity and authority this debate requires.

Democracy must always have a clear path to expression, and I am calling on all politicians to trust the electorate to make the right choice for them and Scotland.

Scotland’s constitutional conversation is far from over – it is just the end of the beginning. Our task is not to shy away from it but to engage with it wholeheartedly. It is our duty as elected representatives to create the space for this conversation and, ultimately, to trust the people with the power to shape our own future.

The next chapter in Scotland’s journey has yet to be written. But I believe, with every ounce of conviction, that when the people of Scotland are given the chance to determine our future, we will choose the path of self-determination.

The energy of the 2014 campaign has not faded – it is alive and growing. Together, we can harness that energy to create a fairer, more just, and more prosperous Scotland for all.

Scotland’s future is in our hands – and it’s time to let the people decide.