THE SNP and the Scottish Greens have been urged to unite with a new Westminster strategy with the sole aim of achieving independence.
Pro-independence activists have marked 12 years since the 2014 referendum by writing to First Minister John Swinney, leader of the SNP, and Scottish Greens co-leaders Ross Greer and Gillian Mackay.
They have called on the party leaders to make various commitments, including by working together to put forward a single slate of pro-independence candidates at the next UK General Election, set to take place in 2029.
It comes after former SNP MP Steven Bonnar – who now sits as an MSP in Holyrood – urged his party to consider abstaining from Westminster if the UK Government continues to block a second independence referendum.
In response, the SNP said that "for as long as decisions are taken by Westminster that impact people in Scotland, SNP MPs will be there to stand up for Scotland at every turn".
A coalition of pro-independence groups have signed the letter, including the Independence Forum Scotland, Salvo Scotland, the Scottish Currency Group, All Under One Banner and Pensioners for Independence.
They have made three demands, including that the SNP and the Greens "agree a single slate of candidates for the next Westminster Parliament, to stand on the platform of delivering Scottish independence".
The groups also call on both parties to "ensure all candidates have a shared vision of an independent Scotland which includes control of all political and economic levers for the benefit of the people of Scotland".
Finally, the letter urges the party leaders to "assist and participate in a constitutional convention" to begin preparing "the legal entities and instruments necessary to manage the transition to an independent Scotland".
See the full list of signatories to the letter below:
- William Duguid (Convener, Independence Forum Scotland)
- Brian Allan (Salvo Scotland)
- Iain Bruce, Leah Gunn Barrett (Co-Conveners, Respect Scottish Sovereignty)
- Kevin Gibney (Independence Live)
- John Hutchison (Chair, Constitution For Scotland)
- Carole Inglis (Yes Highlands & Islands)
- Diarmid Jamieson (Secretary, Liberation Scotland Committee)
- Peter Jeal (The Scotland Channel)
- Chris Johnstone (NHS For Yes)
- Julia Laurie (Pensioners For Independence)
- Patrick McCarthy (Decentralised Democracy Scotland)
- Gordon McCrae (All Under One Banner)
- John Proctor (Energy Scotland Group)
- Tim Rideout (Scottish Currency Group)
- Julian Smith (Fife Plus For Independence)
- Tommy Sheridan (Hope Over Fear)
- Dave Thompson (Christians For Independence)
- David Younger (Scotland Decides)
An SNP spokesperson said: "Since the SNP’s landslide victory in May, John Swinney has been working to ensure the people of Scotland have the right to decide their own future, not out of touch Westminster politicians.
“The First Minister is intent on delivering the mandate won from the people of Scotland, working closely with the leaders of Wales and Northern Ireland who are equally committed to ensuring their nation’s people have the right to decide, and has been in discussion with SNP members the length and breadth of Scotland."
