Scottish Independence Convention relaunches

Tuesday, 03 April 2012 14:32

By a Newsnet reporter

The Scottish Independence Convention (SIC) has relaunched with a new website and programme to contribute to the referendum debate. SIC was founded in 2005 as an independent organisation to encourage cross-party and no-party participation in the campaign for Scottish independence.

The group first campaigned for a referendum, but now that the referendum is due to take place, SIC has relaunched with a new focus, campaigning for a Yes vote in 2014.

The group is chaired by the actress and activist Elaine C Smith, and is backed by a number of noted Scottish figures, including poet and playwright Liz Lochhead, the novelist Iain Banks, and actor Sean Connery.

SIC says that the independence movement is broader and deeper than any single political party, and includes many thousands of ordinary Scots who want to transform the country, not just to tinker with its governance. The SIC describes itself as the place for those who back independence but are not members of any political party, or who support any of the pro-independence parties, to collaborate and work together for a Yes vote in the historic referendum.

Chair of SIC, Elaine C Smith said:

“The role of the Scottish Independence Convention has changed. We were founded to deliver a referendum. That battle’s now been won. Our role now is to be creative and engage as wide an audience as possible in the discussion about the future of our country and what we mean by sovereignty.”

Mike Small, secretary of the SIC said:

“Voting YES for independence gives us the chance to never have Tory rule again in Scotland. It gives us the chance to rid our land of Weapons of Mass Destruction. It gives us the chance to decide what our foreign policy priorities are and not be dragged into illegal wars. No other constitutional settlement offers these opportunities. This is a historic chance to gain control of decision-making.”

SIC believes that the coming three years will be one of the most exciting and important periods in Scottish history. SIC is inviting supporters of independence to join them in order to build a strong and effective movement to gain democratic control over Scotland’s future.

Website: www.scottishindependenceconvention.org
Facebook: www.facebook.com/ScotIndependenceConvention
Twitter @ScotIndConv

Comments

# UpSpake 2012-04-03 17:54

Try signing up and the e-mail aborts. Glitches in the system obviously !.

# edinburgh quine 2012-04-03 18:18

You’re not wrong there. Maybe someone who speaks computer could make sense of the error message. I certainly couldn’t

# lumilumi 2012-04-03 19:40

I believe Iain Banks is quite computer savvy but maybe he’s not at the office. 😉

# lumilumi 2012-04-03 19:59

On a more serious note, I’m glad that non-party, non-political groups are speaking for the cause.

It is important to get the message across that independence for Scotland and the SNP are two different things.

Supporting independence does not mean that you have to support the SNP in all perpetuity (or even now!) An independent Scotland would have full, free, and hopefully PR, elections. You could even vote Tory, Lab or Lib, or their equivalents, or any party in an independent Scotland. (Murdo Fraser’s already working on this, he secretly believes in independence, not that he’d want it, but facing up to political realities. Once the Tories get rid of the Westminster shackles, he’ll emerge as the right-of-centre party founder and leader.)

Independence is such an important thing that it shouldn’t be left to politicians.

Oh, and I’m a fan of Iain Banks’s. My favourites are The Crow Road, Complicity and The Steep Approach to Garbadale.

# Aplinal 2012-04-03 22:10

On a small note: If this is “non-party” then why does Mike Small, secretary of the SIC say:

“Voting YES for independence gives us the chance to never have Tory rule again in Scotland.”

I am not a Tory voter, never have been, but in an independent Scotland, we really don’t know how the political map will play out, and there may well be some old, “one-nation Tories” who might also be independence supporters. We need ALL pro-independence voices to get past the finishing line.

# lumilumi 2012-04-03 22:23

Yes, you’re quite right, Aplinal. That particular piece also made me go hmmm…? Maybe he was thinking of London/SE England Tories? Not the home-grown variety?

The truth is that an independent Scotland needs several political parties of different persuasions. Right – centre – left, to use the traditional grouping. But who’s to say that new, more modern groupings won’t emerge?

It’s a sad thing for Scottish democracy that right now there’s only one party to be taken seriously in Holyrood. The Scottish people deserve better.

# Ben Power 2012-04-04 00:21

Hmmmm– Then again a goodly number would agree with a view that most Scots Tory’s currently would seem to be hand puppets of London Tory rulers.
It would be good to have a sensible right wing party with members thinking for Scots people and environment instead of UK privileges and that was in no way connected to London Tory rulers.
Cannot see it happening any time soon though.

# fynesider 2012-04-03 22:29

Quite agree Aplinal – the last thing we’ll need is a one-party state in a new, free, independent Scotland!

A bit of reasoned opposition in the chamber at the moment would be no bad thing for a start!

# Am Fògarrach 2012-04-04 02:36

lumilumi 2012-04-03 19:59 –

The Scottish Democratic Alliance (SDA)is a political party registered with the Electoral Commission (Edinburgh 9/07/09).

The SDA is slightly right of centre. We are committed to full independence for Scotland. We believe the SNP is the only credible political party in Scotland at this stage and we will fully support the SNP until independence is assured.

Meantime we are developing and proposing policies which we believe will be appropriate for independent Scotland. Manay of these are posted on scottishdemocra ticalliance.org.

# proudscot 2012-04-03 21:09

Maybe Michael Forsyth will return to found and lead a very extreme far right party, and George Foulkes will come back to found and lead one campaigning for cheap booze, while Wallace, Moore and Alexander will form a new LoonyLibDumb party for those who haven’t a clue what they want.

# lumilumi 2012-04-03 21:25

Right. Thanks a lot, proudscot.

Now I’ll have nightmares of the Lords FFF and the rest slowly moving the lids off their stone coffins (cue grating, screeching sound here) and jerkily rising…

What’s the deterrent? Can you wear haggis around your neck and brandish a silver saltire?

# Edna Caine 2012-04-03 22:02

LL –

These nightmarish creatures are obviously the Brollachan. Haggis and silver saltires are no defence against them. According to some accounts you have to hide in a millar’s peck and chant “May the Lord preserve me” all night (but this seems singularly inappropriate to me).

One description of the Brollachan (Happle Tea) reads –

“the brollachan: a strange monster from Scottish lore that is sort of undefined in its appearance. In all the stories pertaining to the creature, this is one fact that remains unchanged. It somehow hasn’t got a shape of its own. Some stories tell of how it takes the shape of whatever you fear the most”

Dictionary definition –
encyclopedia.com/…/…

Well spotted!

# lumilumi 2012-04-03 22:26

Thanks, Edna, now I really will have nightmares… A formless unionist blob will smother me in my sleep…

# fynesider 2012-04-03 22:32

“Maybe Michael Forsyth will return to found and lead a very extreme far right party,…”

The man does have the courage of his convictions, even if it does make me feel sick listening to him.

# scottish_skier 2012-04-04 11:34

Och he’s just worried about losing his lordship. He’ll be a nobody post independence.

# edinburgh quine 2012-04-03 23:43

I’m emigrating

# Hing em high 2012-04-03 21:41

I had no idea Iain Banks was an indy supporter!

I guess that is him off the BBC lists then and critical slatings coming his way in the MSM now!

# MAcandroid 2012-04-03 22:52

Good to see the new SIC website up and running.

“Vote Yes to change Scotland for good !”

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Scottish Independence Convention relaunches

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