Delivering Independence
Economic recovery. The Climate Crisis. Scotland's shameful poverty. Building 21st century infrastructure. The welfare state Scots deserve. The health service they need. Lively cities, vibrant towns, a flourishing countryside. A better democracy. A future for our young. Work people can be proud of. And, at the heart of it all, a warm, comfortable home for everyone – that they can afford.
This is what matters most.
And this is why Scotland needs independence with urgency.
Yes, the Scottish Parliament could have done more with the powers it has and yes, it still can. ALBA will do everything in its power to shake up the cosy politics of Holyrood to get it using those powers.
But it won't be enough.
No economic recovery without economic power.
No Green New Deal without financial power.
No end to poverty without welfare powers.
No investment without taxation powers.
Independence isn't a distraction from recovery. 'Leave it to London' is a crazy strategy. Scotland needs change, change needs power, to get power we need to step up now. ALBA will be the independence movement's voice in Parliament to make sure that no more cans are kicked down the road.
We will work with all political parties showing the urgency that is necessary, but we will exert intense pressure on any which do not. We believe that means:
- Immediately the new Scottish Government is formed it should begin to negotiate with Westminster on both the delivery of a referendum and the terms of independence. ALBA will lay a motion in Parliament to deliver this instruction. Our belief is that challenged, not by a single political party, but by a supermajority of independence supporting MSPs, will fundamentally alter the power balance between Scotland and Westminster. Framing this debate, not as party against party, First Minister against Prime Minister, but as Tory Prime Minister against Scotland’s Parliament representing Scotland’s people, are the circumstances most likely to force concessions from Westminster.
- The Scottish negotiating position should include, but not be restricted to, a formal demand for a Section 30 Order.
- Immediately the new Scottish Government is formed, it must set up a National Commission for Scotland's Independence to build a robust and fully-formed plan for how an independent Scotland will be built – and to make sure the independence movement is equipped with strong, convincing arguments to each and every question it will be asked.
- The Commission will report to a special committee of the Scottish Parliament and to a standing convention of all Scottish parliamentarians meeting, when Covid allows, in the Royal High School chamber.
If a Section 30 Order is refused, then the Scottish Government must pass a Referendum Bill with urgency and be ready to fight it through the Courts if need be. A range of other tactics should be employed including diplomatic pressure and international legal action, and the mobilisation of the Scottish people through popular and peaceful demonstration and direct action.
Throughout, the Scottish Government should work with a wide canvass of partners to constantly increase the pressure on London to concede that the Scottish people are sovereign, those people have elected a government to deliver, and it is not for London to overrule them.
