The People United: Cross-border campaign to raise support for independence

The People United, which launches today, involves people and organisations from across the UK who it says will build support for the independence movement, while in Scotland they – in return – will build solidarity for struggles in those places.

Support has come from across Europe, including the Catalan and Basque independence movements, all of whom want to set in motion a democratic alternative to the failed political and economic status quo.

A 30-strong steering group embodies the diversity of the campaign and what it is setting out to achieve: Costas Lapavitsas (below) was elected to the Greek parliament for the left-wing Syriza party in 2015 and is a professor of economics at the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London; as well as helping organise the anti-war protests seen around the world in 2003, London-based Lyndsey German is also involved in the Stop the War Coalition and People’s Assembly; Jane Shallice, a trade unionist and writer, supported the Yes campaign in 2014; and Eulalia Reguant has been a councillor in Barcelona and Catalan MP for the left-wing CUP.

Closer to home there are a number of weel-kent Scots on the steering group, including former SNP MSP Jean Urquhart who, as well as being a lifelong peace campaigner, has been a strident supporter of challenges against xenophobia, Nato and nuclear weapons.

The National columnist and former SNP MP, George Kerevan, is also there, along with current SNP MP for Glasgow South West, Chris Stephens.

The People United is a concerted effort to raise the profile of and gain support for Scotland’s independence aspirations, amid frustration at the ever-growing “democratic deficit” Scots have had to endure, despite the pro-independence majority in the Scottish Parliament.

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“After a decade of Tory austerity, the grave social and economic consequences of the Covid-19 pandemic, and as we face the challenge of the climate crisis it is vital that independence delivers real change for millions of working-class Scots,” the group say.

“We are a campaign that seeks to reflect the diversity of Scotland, standing against all forms of oppression.

“Democracy must prevail. That means building for a referendum and challenging the British state, which is intent on impeding Scotland’s right to decide.”

The People United said it aims to develop an organising model that can make a contribution towards “leaving a legacy of renewed political agency and education” for Scotland’s working class communities. Internationally it aims to build relationships between movements fighting for economic justice and democracy.

Economic and political sovereignty will be part of the campaign to transform Scotland. At the centre of that will be future relations with the European Union, which it said should be decided by the people after independence is secured.

And their opposition to the Trident nuclear “deterrent” indicates its support for building alliances for peace, and not militarism.

However, the group said it also recognised the harm Scotland did as part of the British Empire and, wanted to engage and unite people across the world to “repair the ongoing legacy of colonialism, slavery and racism”.     

A campaign spokesperson told The National: “The Scottish Parliament has a clear mandate for a referendum on independence.

“Despite this it is more than likely that we will see a Tory government – which Scots did not vote for – stand in the way of democracy. This cannot and will not pass without a serious extra-parliamentary challenge.

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“That is why in order to maximise the movement for self-determination and independence, we are developing a campaign to build a cross-border movement involving progressives and democrats from across the UK.

“Working with trade unionists, academics, economists and campaigners we will argue that independence offers a democratic challenge to the British state that can open up the potential of progressive change not just in Scotland, but across the rest of the UK.

“Indeed, we will work with people and organisations across Europe who are fighting for an alternative to a failed status quo.

“As such, we are building links with the movement in Catalonia to support their democratic and civil rights and to develop a framework for popular sovereignty in the 21st century.

“The possibilities for international co-ordination are both exciting and necessary – now and in the future.”

SNP MP for Glasgow South West, Chris Stephens

The People United said they would be prepared to take part in demonstrations, peaceful displays of civil disobedience, along with exchanges, forums and debates at local, national and international levels.

Members of the steering group see the new campaign as “positive contribution” to the indy movement and say real change is needed as we come out of the pandemic.

“We hope this will be welcomed as a positive contribution to the independence movement as a whole as we take the message out to communities in Scotland and beyond,” said the spokesperson.

“We plan to conduct educational events, forums, debates and conferences as well as building up our campaigning capacities through skill shares and activist training. And we will work towards a strategy that links the local, the national and the international.

“As we emerge from the pandemic, we see a society scarred by poverty, inequality and a decade of austerity.

“We need real change – and that means we need political and economic control. Across the world people are on the march demanding justice. An independent Scotland can play a role internationally as we rise to meet the huge challenges that lie ahead.”