A NEW Yes party launches today – 50 days before polls open for the Scottish Parliament elections.

Restore Scotland advocates for independence outside of the European Union and was founded on the 700th anniversary of the Declaration of Arbroath last year. Based in Fife and ready to stand candidates in May, it is the fourth fledgling party set to enter that contest on a pro-independence ticket.

The others are the Independence for Scotland Party, Action for Independence and Scotia Future.

Restore Scotland says it stands for “the defence of individual liberty, the value and integrity of the family, the sanctity of human life and the health and wellbeing of the nation”.

Interim leader David McHutchon will set out its plans at an online launch this afternoon. He’s running for election in the Banffshire and Buchan Coast constituency as SNP incumbent Stewart Stevenson MSP steps down.

READ MORE: David McHutchon: Leaving the UK should not lead us to joining another in union in Europe

Ahead of the launch, McHutchon criticised the SNP’s pro-Brussels stance and the Scottish Government’s new hate crime legislation, which passed last week despite serious controversy about its aims and implementation. He said: “A new space has opened up in Scottish politics for a party which believes in true independence.

“There is currently no voice in Scotland for those who wish to come out of Westminster and stay out of the European Union. The parties at Holyrood offer an illusion of choice.”

McHutchon went on: “While we affirm the right of our people to individual autonomy and self-government, we also represent the mainstream on many domestic issues which is broadly in line with the common-sense instincts of ordinary Scots.

Our commitment to, for example, individual liberty stands against the authoritarianism of legislation like the Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Act and our commitment to public health will counter policies that have failed vulnerable drug users across Scotland.”

Restore Scotland’s interim deputy leader is Donald Morrison, who begins the endeavour after 54 years of SNP membership. The 73-year-old said: “I have been a passionate advocate of Scottish independence for over half a century. I joined the SNP in 1966 and have been a lifelong supporter but became increasingly exasperated by the party’s insistence on re-joining the European Union.

“What is the point of gaining independence from Westminster only to surrender it to Brussels? It is illogical and when canvassing prior to Covid-19 on doorsteps in Aberdeenshire it was a question I was consistently asked and completely unable to answer.

“Over one million Scots voted to leave the EU, many of whom are supporters of Scottish independence, but the SNP has shut them up and shut them out. Now they have a choice.”