A DEBATE on a "Plan B" for independence will mean "Scotland's democratic voice" is heard, according to one of those campaigning for an alternative route out of the Union.
Chris McEleny, the leader of the SNP group on Inverclyde Council, said he agrees with SNP MP Pete Wishart's call for clarity on the plan.
The councillor, together with SNP MP Angus MacNeil, has been pushing for the party to adopt a “Plan B” – an alternative way of winning independence if Westminster continues to block the Scottish Government’s demands for another vote.
They had hoped the issue would be debated at the SNP conference in June, but with this now postponed indefinitely due to the virus the pair have put their proposals on hold.
Wishart, who represents Perth and North Perthshire, wrote on his blog: "My little bit of advice to my good friends in the ‘Plan B movement’ is to at least come up with some sort of concrete proposal so we can have some idea what it is we are supposed to debate."
READ MORE: Pete Wishart: Indy Plan B could see Scotland in 'hellish limbo' like Catalonia
A poll earlier this month found a clear majority of Scots (63%) think the SNP and Greens should consider putting independence – not just a referendum – on the ballot paper in an election if a UK prime minister continues to reject requests for a Section 30 Order.
READ MORE: Sensational new poll reveals most Scots want an indyref2 Plan B
McEleny said: “I welcome that Pete Wishart MP agrees that there must be a debate on an independence Plan B. An overwhelming majority of the independence movement want a Plan B. A majority of Scots opposed to Scotland being dragged out of the EU want a Plan B, and nearly half of Labour Party voters even agree that there should be a Plan B.
“We have the mandates to give the people of Scotland a choice on their own future already. Scotland’s Democratic voice will be heard whether Boris Johnson likes it or not."
Wishart agreed that a debate should be held at conference to put the matter "to bed".
Pete, you’re proving my point that we need a debate. Maybe I’m wrong, maybe the independence movement don’t agree. Why don’t we find out.
— Christopher McEleny (@ChrisMcEleny) June 21, 2020
Next Thursday Night. A debate on does the SNP need a Plan B? Yes or No.
I’ll sort the platform. Can I count on you to take part?
He also said following a "Plan B" route could see Scotland in "the sort of hellish limbo currently endured by the people of Catalonia".
He added: "‘Just doing it anyway’ means we would be doing something broadly similar to what Catalonia did when they ‘won’ their uncontested referendum – without actually winning a referendum! This would in effect mean we would be declaring some sort of Unilateral Declaration of Independence (UDI).
"The consequences of that could not be more serious. Almost certain to be one of the first things to happen is that we would have all of this immediately ruled illegal and be disenfranchised from the entire international community. We would be left in the sort of hellish limbo currently endured by the people of Catalonia."
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel