"It's time to put country before party" says MacAskill as he calls on Swinney to convene Independence summit
Alba Party Leader and former Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill will use the All Under One Banner (AOUB) March and Rally in Glasgow today (Saturday 3 May) to call on the Independence movement to put country before party and to take part in an "Independence Summit".
Mr MacAskill is writing to the Leaders of all of the main pro-Independence parties, the SNP, the Scottish Green Party, the Scottish Socialist Party and the Independence for Scotland Party proposing that they take part in an Independence Summit to chart a clear way forward for demanding and achieving Independence.
In a statement Mr MacAskill stated:
"Scotland is crying out for Independence as sky high energy costs and the threat posed to the poorest and weakest in our society from Westminster's benefit cuts clearly demonstrates.
"In the week when oil refining finally ended at Grangemouth with the loss of 400 jobs and it was revealed that 80,000 children in Scotland are living in severe poverty. And just yesterday, we witnessed the beginning of Farage's march to Downing Street. it is beyond doubt that Westminster rule is failing the people of Scotland.
"An urgent push for Independence is essential. The coming Holyrood election can be Scotland's Independence Election but it requires all pro-Independence parties to come together in a show of unity.
"We can disagree about the why of Independence but we can all agree on the urgent necessity of achieving Independence and begin to discuss and agree how we get there.
"That is why I am writing to John and the other pro-Independence party leaders asking them to commit to taking part in an Independence Summit to discuss how we make the next Holyrood Election a plebiscite election, by for example agreeing on a clear and unambiguous statement to be included in each of our parties manifestos.
"Independence offers a better way for Scotland but we need to work together to achieve it. An Independence Summit can be the first step in charting a clear and positive way forward. Unity is strength, and must be the bedrock of the Independence cause. Let us unite the movement and come together in a show of unity. If we unite we will win!"
Letter to the First Minister, John Swinney, is below:
