Salmond: Independence parties must stand under one banner at General Election

FORMER FIRST MINISTER ALEX SALMOND has called on independence supporting parties to all stand under one banner at the General Election.

The ALBA Party leader added that the national movement should declare independence from any one political party “ to engage in the thinking, the activism, the policy work, and the international initiatives to prepare Scotland for independence.”

Salmond believes that the independence movement should instruct all Pro-Indy parties to stand for the Westminster election next year “All Under One Banner” - to field one single independence supporting candidate in each constituency with the first line in each parties manifesto stating that they are “seeking a mandate to negotiate independence for Scotland”.

The ALBA Party leader says that the rational for such a tactic is obvious as “ the SNP brand is damaged but the independence ideal is not.” said Salmond. He continued “ It’s time to down play Party interest and to emphasise the national interest in independence. The reservoir of support born in 2014 is still alive, kicking and waiting to be led.”

Salmond’s remarks were made on Saturday as he joined a march of tens of thousands of independence supporters in advance of addressing the All Under One Banner Rally in Glasgow Green.

ALEX SALMOND’S SPEECH TO GLASGOW GREEN RALLY, SATURDAY 6TH MAY

Today it is a tale of two cities and two futures

For the subjects in London, they are expected to swear allegiance to a king.

For the citizens in Glasgow, we choose to offer an oath of loyalty to Scotland.

I’m told that the “homage of the people” is now to be a silent affair - afraid to speak its very name. In Glasgow our pledge to Scotland will be loud and proud.

Countries can either move forwards or backwards.

In mediaeval Scotland, the King of Scots swore loyalty to the people, to the Community of the Realm. In 21st century England, the people were meant to swear fealty to the King - at least until the establishment were rumbled and blamed the poor old Archbishop of Canterbury ! That’s a country moving backwards.

For 20 years from 1997, Scotland was a country moving forwards - the only question was how far we could move in improving social cohesion and how fast would we reach our objective of independence.

But nothing stays still, and when you are not moving forward you get taken backwards. That is what is happening now to Scotland.

We are the nation which invented universal education, but where qualified youngsters are shut out of our own universities

We are proud of our universal health service, but now we have people paying for health treatment abroad because Scots can’t wait any longer in pain at home.

We are the energy capital of Europe, a powerhouse of clean Green energy, but one where our people can’t afford to heat their homes.

And on progress to independence?

First from London it was “Now is not the time”. Then it was just “No”.

Now it is “Get Stuffed Scotland”.

SO WHAT IS TO BE DONE?

First look around and understand our strength;

In ancient times the city of Sparta had no walls. They had no need of them. The people were the walls of Sparta. They provided the city’s protection and strength.

Right now you - every single one of you - are the walls of Scotland. You are part of the most powerful force in Scottish politics - the Scottish National Movement.

Firstly, this Movement must declare its own independence from any one political party. The Movement needs to engage in the thinking, the activism, the policy work, the international initiatives to prepare the nation for independence. And to prepare ourselves, and the people, for that moment when we are approaching our objective, and for the democratic struggle which will be necessary to wrest our independence from Westminster.

Secondly, this Movement should instruct all of the independence parties to stand for the Westminster election next year, All Under One Banner - to field one single candidate in each constituency, and pledge as the first line in each manifesto that we seek a mandate to negotiate independence for Scotland.

The reasons are obvious - the SNP brand is damaged but the independence ideal is not. It’s time to downplay Party interest and to emphasise the national interest in independence. The reservoir of support born in 2014 is still alive, kicking and waiting to be led.

Do not underrate the scale of our task. For the first time in thirty years, the Westminster establishment is laughing at Scotland - they think it’s all over - they think we will go back to playing the political tartan fool.

Well let us send a message from this great rally, that we want our Independence and that Scotland wants it Now.

Once more so all of Glasgow can hear us.

One last time for the benefit of those gathered in Westminster Abbey.

Independence and independence Now.