St Andrew’s Day to see first meeting of our new independence convention

It’s not the only “convention” that has been mooted since the judgment of the UK Supreme Court two years ago but it is the first one that is happening. The name is not important but the purpose of our gathering certainly is.

It is to bring people together from all over Scotland, free from party politics, to discuss matters of critical importance to the nation and reach consensus on how we might deal with them to our advantage in an independent Scotland.

It is to identify the huge opportunities awaiting Scotland as we proceed towards self-determination, as well as perceived obstacles to independence and how they can be circumvented.

In recent weeks, many have taken the opportunity to reflect on the independence referendum 10 years on, and the reasons why the Yes campaign failed to win.

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It seems clear we need to build the confidence of the electorate, not just in the independence cause, but also in our ability to make independence work. To win in the future, we need to explain not only why we need independence, but also how we regain our independence – both are essential.

In addition, we will need to convince the electorate that we have the experts and plans in place to deliver. Given the nonchalant ease with which the Brexiteers won their referendum, this may seem excessive, but overcoming our national lack of self-confidence after 300 years of a quasi-colonial union really requires this level of argument and engagement.

For our first gathering, the Independence Forum has prepared three key subjects which will form the focus of the day’s discussions:

• The future of our land, our greatest resource besides our people.
• Our energy future – how we must do better than energy riches with fuel poverty.
• Our democratic future – direct democracy, decentralisation and a second chamber?

These are all positive areas where with independence we can start to make a difference and bring huge benefits to Scotland.

We expect future gatherings to address perceived obstacles (borders, trade, pensions etc), just as the Scottish Currency Group, a member group of the forum, has done so successfully with currency

We see our role as facilitating the setting up of the convention and intend that its membership will decide the topics for future events, fully utilising the body of research that already exists in many topic areas and building on it wherever gaps exist. Each gathering will produce discussion papers, statements and resolutions expressing the views of the convention. In many cases specialist groups will be formed to carry on the work started at the convention.

At the inaugural St Andrew’s Day event, the afternoon discussions will be in “world cafe” format, with all participants involved, rather than in lecture style. This will provide an opportunity for everyone to make their views known.

You can view the programme for St Andrew’s Day, and apply to be an individual participant in the convention, at independenceforum.scot/national-convention

At this first gathering, numbers will be restricted to 120, so early application is advisable. Our aim is to have representatives from a’ the airts, all parts of Scotland.

We envisage this convention as the start of a process that will continue until all issues critical to Scotland’s future are addressed.

While not all members of the public will necessarily read the detail of its output, we hope that the convention’s work will promote a general confidence that the necessary work is being done and plans are in place.