THE PEOPLES INDEPENDENCE MOVEMENT IS BACK

It has been great to see the last few weeks activities in the Independence movement.

It seems to me that we are starting to see the people being involved again after the last two years of us having our in person campaigning paused or limited.

This should excite all Independence supporters, as no matter what route you believe Independence is going to come from, the one common thing we can all agree is that it will be the people of Scotland that reclaim it.

ALL MOVEMENTS TO INDEPENDENCE POSITIVE

I will list below movements/groups that some might not fully agree are beneficial to the movement but I personally believe any movements/groups that have independence as there goal should always be afforded a hearing and we should keep an open mind to all.

That is not to say we can’t be questionable or critical, but we should do it in an open minded respectful manner and never shut the door fully on anyone who fights for our independence.

For example, If Scottish Labour were to come out tomorrow as “finally seeing the light” and realising there party can only be saved by supporting Independence, we would all be questionable of motive and critical of there previous but we wouldn’t shut the door on them.

And this is how I personally view any supporters of Independence., ask questions, be critical (if needed) but always stay open minded.

AUOB MARCHES

All Under One Banner held a march for Independence the week after the local elections which seen people of all parties and none come together. I never managed to make it down to the march but the feedback from those I spoke with was, while there were still not the numbers we seen pre 2020 there was certainly a higher number participating and a feeling that the momentum for people attending theses marches is coming back.

I certainly hope it does and would encourage anyone to attend future marches if they can.

Mass participation on the streets is a tactic everyone can play a part in to show the watching world the people of Scotland’s desire to be independent and when needed help us in gaining international recognition as an independent state.

SNP CONFERENCE 2022

I was delighted to see that the Snp conference will return to an in person conference.

While some might say why does the Snp conference bother me?

My answer to that would be, the Snp are the party of government and conferences are where part policies are decided so I am glad that the snp members will be back to having those all important in person meetings and debates that every party needs to be having.

I believe this will also be a month after the programme for government is set out in which the details of the 2023 referendum should be outlined and detailed

So I would hope that Snp members will attend in large numbers and create a carnival atmosphere that regenerates there activists, as well as other independence activists, into a winter and summer ahead that will be fully packed with campaigning activities leading up to that all important date in 2023.

WEE ALBA BOOK ROADSHOW

Again I was delighted to see the Wee Alba Book roadshow continuing after the election.

The first post election meeting held in Pollockshaws with a great guest list of Alex Salmond (Alba), Alex Niel (Snp), Robin McAlpine (Common Weal) and Kenny Mackaskil (Alba) taking part in some great discussions with a packed out hall.

These roadshows for me are just as important as conferences as they engage with the public on important topical issues of how an independent Scotland could look and are a reminder of how great our 100s of town hall and village hall meetings in 2014 were.

PROGRESS TO YES

I will be honest, I wasn't going to put this event in here as I have been disappointed at some of the comments posted by the organisers AIM (Aberdeen Independence Movement) where they have insinuated that an Independence supporting party was a “Dark Fridge” as well as “bigoted and exclusionary” which in my opinion is only adding fuel to the fire of the current “difference of opinions” within our movement.

Nonetheless this is a Independence supporting event and I believe it is a sell out, so the event itself deserves praise as the positive is there will be 300 odd people attending an in person event to discuss moves towards Independence.

SCOTTISH SOVEREIGN RESEARCH GROUP ROADSHOW

These roadshows this summer are looking great with public meetings across the country to talk of the SSRG’s 6 strategies for Independence including the Claim of Right option which seems to be gaining momentum and has recently launched its new website www.salvo.scot

It also has meetings about the future in an independent Scotland including (but not only) last nights currency meeting hosted by Dr Tim Rideout of The Scottish Currency Group who have done an incredible amount of work and research on our currency in an independent Scotland.

The SSRG also have an in person conference coming up at the end of July which again is an in person gathering discussing Independence.

MANNIEFEST

Last but certainly no means least is the exciting festival next weekend in the highlands.

Manniefest is an independence supporting gathering full of great musicians, fantastic speakers and an appearance from Saor Alba Pipe Band as well as the Yes Bikers.

This also has the added bonus of being on the jubilee weekend, so if you are looking to escape all the union jackery and sweet carolines get yourself along to Manniefest in Golspie for a gathering of like minded folk, celebrating all things Scottish Independence.

Tickets can be found at following link

www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/manniefest-golspie-tickets-312909509767

SUMMERY

As I mention in the opening, it is great to see all these in person events starting to take place again and there seems to be a rejuvenated momentum building towards our Independence.

We have been told there will be a referendum next year, no ifs, no buts, so I believe all these events are important to get ready for the campaign of our lives.

For those that don’t think a referendum will happen, it is just as important to build up the momentum and the movement, if there is no referendum in Septembers Scottish governments 2022/2023 plan of governance, then I believe a new strategy will be needed.

And for a new strategy to be successful there will need to be momentum and the movement must be ready.

So ALL independence supporters have a big challenge ahead in the next few months, but from the events above I think we are in a good starting position.

I should again note I know I likely haven’t listed all events that are or have happened but that should be seen as a positive as it means there's so many thing happening I just haven't been able to fit them in but they are just as important as those mentioned above.

COMMENT

I recently read a tweet that stated all those writing blogs should question whether it is a blog or an opinion piece,

I have a big amount of respect for all the bloggers that have been imperative in the Independence movement thus far, the time, effort and research they put in I am sure is more than a full time job and should be credited.

For me this is just an output to put my opinions onto paper so for that reason I have changed this to be an opinion piece rather than a blog.