STARTED by Yes Highland and taken on by Yes Edinburgh and Lothians, it seems that hub groups across the country are taking up the cudgels of the Yes movement and seeking answers from their local SNP politicians.
The National has been sent a copy of a letter sent to local SNP MPs and MSPs by Central4indy, the hub with sizeable representation from the many and varied grassroots groups working for independence in central Scotland.
They wrote: “As a result of Zoom meetings and interaction on social media, we are agreed that the biggest risk to achieving our goal is the widespread frustration felt by both SNP members and the wider independence movement that our progress is at a standstill.
“The apparent divisions and disagreements, so eagerly reported by the Unionist media, are a direct result of this. No matter how great a majority of seats and/or votes independence parties win at the next Holyrood election, Boris Johnson will not concede a Section 30, as by then he will have enacted legislation that gives Westminster full powers to overrule Holyrood. Time, therefore, is too short to leave all action on our part on hold.
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“First and foremost, we need to listen more and try to bring dissenters onside instead of trying to close down debate. If, therefore, we are to overcome the present divisions, we need to know that, should the above scenario pertain after December 31, there is at least one other pathway to achieve our goal. We cannot wait until next May in hope of a Section 30 agreement.
“We fully accept that it is right for our First Minister and her senior ministers to concentrate their efforts at the moment on combatting the coronavirus, as she and they are the SNP members elected to run the country. It is also right that they do not politicise this crisis.
“The party membership and supporters, however, are different, not part of government, but in fact a separate entity, the troops on the ground. We see no reason why these troops should not be continuing to work, non-aggressively, for independence. This is where we need the leaders of the party, as opposed to the government, to provide positive leadership, a route map and all possible active support right now.”
The letter proposes that the Scottish Government takes action in law to stop the Internal Market Bill and also puts through a bill ensuring that Scotland’s NHS cannot be part of any trade deal.
They say these bills would put Unionists on the back foot, “and their subsequent response would highlight their arrogance and contempt and could provide a huge boost to our support”.
The Yes DIY page has only one comment – can we and Central4indy get some answers, please? We’ll be happy to print them.
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