THE SNP have set out their key independence motion ahead of the forthcoming annual party conference.
Signed by First Minister Humza Yousaf and seconded by SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn, the motion – to be debated by party members next month – sets out the party's independence strategy going into the next UK General Election.
Just as Yousaf set out at a special conference in June this year, the motion states that negotiations for independence are to take place if the SNP win the most seats, rather than votes, in Scotland at the next General Election.
The motion also outlines next steps, including publishing a document, "Withdrawal from Westminster – a New Partnership Agreement", which would set out detailed terms the SNP would seek in discussions with the UK Government.
The document would also include draft legal text on the transfer of powers from Westminster to the Scottish Parliament necessary to prepare for independence.
The motion also puts forward that a nationwide consultation on a draft interim constitution should be conducted, which would then be the founding document of an independent Scotland.
Finally, it suggests establishing an EU envoy position in Brussels. Taken up by a representative of the Scottish Government, they would prepare the ground for Scotland to become an independent member state of the EU.
The full motion was drafted following a series of eight regional assemblies over the summer, and is to be considered by members in advance of the annual conference in October.
It reads: “Conference believes that the next UK General Election should be used as an opportunity to advance the cause of independence, and to demonstrate how the powers of independence would enable us to take action on Scotland’s priorities – from tackling the Westminster-made cost of living crisis, to protecting our public services, eradicating poverty and building a fairer economy that works for us all.
“Conference believes that Scotland is facing a ‘Cost of Westminster Crisis’; one that is making life increasingly challenging for people across the country and makes the case for independence even more urgent.
“Conference notes that the UK Government continues to unjustly block a democratic referendum, thereby denying the people of Scotland the opportunity to express their support for independence.
“Conference therefore supports using the next UK General Election as a means to offer that opportunity, and advance the cause of Scotland’s independence; and further notes that this approach has been debated at Regional Assemblies across Scotland, with widespread support as a means to move Scotland forward to achieving independence.
“Conference agrees that the SNP manifesto for the UK General Election should state on page one, line one, the following simple and powerful statement: Vote SNP for Scotland to become an independent country.
“Conference further agrees that the SNP manifesto and campaign should highlight the direct link between Westminster rule and the many challenges we are facing as a country, and demonstrate the opportunities of independence across the board on the issues that matter most to the people of Scotland.
“Conference believes that if the SNP subsequently wins the most seats at the General Election in Scotland, the Scottish Government is empowered to begin immediate negotiations with the UK Government to give democratic effect to Scotland becoming an independent country; and to take the following actions as part of preparations for Scotland’s independence:
“Publish ‘Withdrawal from Westminster – a New Partnership Agreement’, which would set out the detailed terms we would seek in discussions with the UK Government for Scotland becoming an independent country and include draft legal text on the transfer of powers from Westminster to the Scottish Parliament necessary to prepare for independence.
“Conduct a nationwide consultation on a draft interim constitution, which would be the founding document of an independent Scotland.
“Prepare the ground for Scotland to become an independent member state of the EU, by establishing an envoy position, who would be a representative of the Scottish Government in Brussels.”
The resolution is open to amendments, although they must be submitted by 9am on September 27.
Alba react to SNP motion
Alex Salmond, who has been calling for pro-independence parties to opt for a "Scotland United" approach at the next election, was unimpressed with the proposals.
Under Alba's plan, which has not been endorsed by Yousaf, each constituency would stand just one pro-independence candidate.
In a statement, Salmond said: “It seems from the leadership motion that they have decided on a 'go-it-alone approach' which will achieve nothing, instead of a Scotland United for Independence strategy.
“No one seriously believes that proposing a majority of seats as an independence mandate is at all credible. Given that Westminster have been allowed over repeated elections to dismiss a majority of SNP seats as a mandate for a mere referendum, why on earth would they concede it as a mandate for negotiating independence itself?
“And the leadership motion is tellingly and devastatingly silent on what democratic mechanisms should be used to bend Westminster to the will of the people."
Salmond claimed that Flynn and Yousaf want to talk about independence "to protect them" from the impatient party grassroots, or because it's a "realisable and urgent goal".
He added: "If the latter, then they are required to propose a real strategy or lose all credibility.”
