A PRO-independence party set up by the late former SNP MSP Chic Brodie is set to continue its work following his death, its co-founder has said.
Scotia Future nominating officer Andy Doig said he wants to keep the party going, insisting he wants it to be part of shifting the focus “onto policies and not just personalities” within the independence debate.
Brodie and Doig launched Scotia Future in 2020 as a party for “real independence and a Scotland of equals”.
Both of them ran under the banner in the Scottish Parliament elections last year for their constituencies of Ayr and Renfrewshire South, while the party also appeared on the regional list for West of Scotland and South Scotland.
Alongside campaigning for an independent Scotland, Scotia Future’s main policies included leaving the EU but forming a Swiss-style relationship within the European Free Trade Association (Efta).
Brodie, who was a South of Scotland representative at Holyrood from 2011 to 2016, died on Saturday at the age of 78 after a short illness.
While it is unclear who will step into Brodie’s role as party leader, Doig believes there is room for plenty of voices in the independence debate as a planned referendum approaches in October next year.
He told The National he wants to see the party carry on its campaigning, particularly as it never got a “proper launch” during a strict lockdown in 2020.
He said: “I think in the short to medium term I’m minded to try and continue [with Scotia Future].
“I think there are two important points around the independence debate at the moment, one is that we need to shift the focus onto policies rather than personalities, and the second is we need a monopoly of views.
Sorry to hear this sad news. Chic was a real character who always enlivened political debate whether you agreed with him or not. My condolences to Mary and all his loved ones. https://t.co/oHyseRA4p4
— Nicola Sturgeon (@NicolaSturgeon) September 25, 2022
“There’s room for quite a lot of voices in the independence debate. The SNP have to be respected for flying the flag for 80 years but there are a lot of people who would like to vote for independence but not necessarily the SNP’s model of that.
“We launched in October 2020 right in the dark days of lockdown and we could not have meetings or properly launch in the way we wanted to, so I think in the short term we are happy to continue, especially with the Scottish elections a while away yet which is what we feel are the priority for us.
“I think the more voices we have in the debate the better.
“We will need to regroup and talk amongst ourselves about how we should continue, but I spoke to Chic before he died and he really believed in the ideas we had.”
When they launched Scotia Future’s 12-page manifesto last year, Doig and Brodie revealed plans for ferries to Norway, drop-in centres for people with alcoholism and Highlands and Islands repopulation.
Its plan included an outline for a federal system of government in an independent Scotland and the establishment of a central bank and Scots pound.
Doig paid tribute to Brodie following his passing, after First Minister Nicola Sturgeon described him as a “real character” who “enlivened” political debate.
Doig said: “This will be a severe blow to Chic’s partner, Mary, and his wider family, and it has been a very difficult time for them these past few months.
“His many friends will miss him yet I am glad he is no longer suffering. I will dearly miss his friendship, his political counsel, and the humour we used to share while out and about on the campaign trail.
“Regardless of which party label Chic was standing under the core principles of his political life were unchanging: challenging patronage and vested interests, promoting social justice, and last but not least using his vast business experience to help self-employed and small business people thrive.
“Chic will be remembered as a giant of Scottish politics who had friends right across the political spectrum and as someone who always fought for the common good of Scotland.”
