AN independence party hoping to increase pro-Yes seats in Holyrood is to register with the Election Commission tomorrow, allowing it to field candidates.
Alliance for Independence (AFI) will submit the name of its leading interim team as well as a copy of its constitution and financial papers.
It will also be submitting the name under which it will be campaigning and its logo – which will be the letters AFI over an image of a Saltire. Former SNP MSP Dave Thompson will be named on the documents as the party’s interim leader. The party leader will be formally elected by members at the party’s conference in September.
AFI has now set up a Facebook page and Twitter account to try and spread its message to Yes supporters.
“We are planning to launch our application with the Electoral Commission on Wednesday,” said Thompson.
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“That will be our formal application to be registered as a political party so we can stand at election.”
Yesterday it emerged that the party is being backed by another former SNP politician.
John Wilson said he pledged his support for the new Alliance for Independence campaign after seeing so many “wasted” votes on Holyrood’s two-tier voting system.
Wilson was an SNP MSP under Alex Salmond from 2007 in the Central Scotland region, but left the party after the 2014 referendum and sat as an independent MSP until 2016. He stood unsuccessfully as a Green candidate in the Coatbridge and Chryston constituency at the 2016 Scottish Parliament election and then as an independent candidate in the 2017 Scottish local elections.
Polls suggest the SNP are likely to clear up in the first-past-the-post constituencies again next May, which could leave the party with only a handful of proportionately elected regional seats.
Wilson told the Record: “In 2016, the overwhelming majority of second SNP votes produced little or nothing for the independence movement. In Central, the SNP took every seat and the second vote became a wasted vote.”
He continued: “I don’t think it causes confusion. My view is voters are looking to maximise their vote, they’re the ones who want to drive home the argument for independence. Quite rightly AFI won’t stand constituency candidates because they understand the SNP will want to field them everywhere.
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“This is an opportunity for other political figures to be involved. The reality is we need to get as many MSPs to show there is a clear majority in 2021 that indicates Scotland’s desire for independence.” Wilson said no decision has been taken on whether to stand on the list. He suggested a single-issue independence party would be more likely to attract SNP voters on the regional list.
Discussion is ongoing about the merits or not for the cause of independence of a second independence party fielding candidates on the list.
Over the weekend, Nicola Sturgeon said she would be calling for voters to back the SNP on both the constituency and regional parts of the Holyrood ballot next May, pointing out the party had achieved its only majority in 2011 when it maximised both votes.
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