IT’S amazing how, without the full information, people jump to defend the SNP at the expense of all others. I am also an SNP supporter and want so badly an independent Scotland, but you need to visit the Wings over Scotland website and read the whole set of facts first hand (and not a view tainted by the mainstream media or some disgruntled ex-politicians).
It is only by understanding the Scottish D’Hondt voting system (Which only yesterday the Wings site gave a very accurate and clear description of) that you will understand that a new “Wings” political party will not weaken the independence movement but actually strengthen it by potentially taking “list” seats that the Unionist parties normally scoop up, making the pro-independence group in Holyrood stronger. The target is NOT the SNP.
Now I understand that some people will always be against Stuart Campbell for personal reasons, but that should only be a smallish percentage. The rest of us should read/listen to what he says, study the D’Hondt voting system then make an informed decision, and if after that you still don’t support it, then fair enough, it’s a free country, I for one, think it’s a brilliant idea and he will get my second vote (SNP getting my first).
Some people are talking about a formal coalition of the Yes movement, but you need to ensure what is actually legal, and I believe formal arrangements BEFORE an election are illegal.
It is also very wrong to decry someone because of their personality and background who don’t follow the “normal” route into politics. There is no one “born” to be a politician, some of the worst ones are “career politicians” who have no experience of the real world. Not everyone is nice, honest and caring and that needs to be countered.
Just look at all the lies from ALL of the Unionist parties! Please remember the end game here, Scottish independence.
Colin McGinnis
Dundee
CLEVER political tactics can win, even against the odds, and an Indy List Coalition Party in 2021 is certainly worth considering if we don’t have our independence by then.
A version of this was floated last year by Grant Thoms of the Scots Independent newspaper and really just needs the agreement of the SNP not to stand in the list to be a runner, as SNP list votes would be needed to make this work.
It could be done very simply with a party constitution containing only one clause committing its members to independence. Everything else would be a matter for the individual list MSP elected under the indy banner to decide.
This would give total flexibility to the SNP, Green and SSP parties and Yes/indy candidates standing under the indy banner on all matters apart from indy.
It would accommodate the widest possible diversity of candidates with an indisputable mandate for indy, and let’s call it "Alba for Indy" so it is top of the voting paper!
What is there not to like? All that is needed is for all to put Scotland first!
Dave Thompson
Inverness
I’VE been reading the various articles on the potential for a new independence party from Stewart Campbell and I have to say it’s something I’ve been hoping for, for a long time. The SNP does not equal independence, and as such many of their policies I thoroughly disagree with. Having another major party that supports independence but may be more to the right of politics will aid in the overall numbers. Not every supporter of Scotland is a left-swinging voter.
But here is the thing – why wait until the next Scottish election!
How good would it be to get Phantom Power’s No to Yes into every home in Scotland for five minutes at a cost of only £5000! Surely that’s a bargain. Yes, you’d even get that on the BBC. How to achieve this? Well, put forward 10 nominations for election inside Scotland and you are entitled to a party election broadcast. Make sure that you only put nominations forward in areas of a very high SNP, to save any risk of people that actually vote for it splitting any indy vote, which the first-past-the-post system could do. With an independence referendum coming soon, those five minutes could be invaluable.
Kenneth Sutherland
Livingston
I’D describe my politics as environmentally left and so joined the Green Party. You can understand my horror though when I discovered the other day from Stuart Campbell’s comments that the Greens are an in fact an extreme left-wing party!!
I understand now the discussion at branch meetings to try to arrange litter picks were really coded plans to sabotage the infrastructure of the system and that the “graffiti watch” was in fact attempts at quelling free speech and to have only the words of the dear leader Patrick Harvie broadcast over loud speakers to the masses (Kevin McKenna said his words were not much more than that in his article in Wednesday’s National as he rushed to endorse Campbell in his plans to set up a new party).
I am extremely grateful for Stuart Campbell for opening my eyes to the true nature of the Greens, and Kevin McKenna for making me realise that Patrick Harvie’s words are just shouting in the wind. I can see it all clearly now. The master plan, as the Greens launch an extreme left-wing revolution and install Patrick Harvie as the dear leader!!
Crìsdean Mac Fhearghais
Prestonfield
IT comes as no surprise that the LibDems won’t back Corbyn’s plan to form a temporary government in order to call a General Election and second EU referendum. It seems Jo Swinson’s plan to work with anyone to block Brexit has failed at the first attempt. It makes you wonder what the LibDems are really planning?
Cllr Kenny MacLaren
Paisley
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