FORMER first minister Alex Salmond has called for a fresh independence campaign strategy after Boris Johnson confirmed his intent to stand down as Tory leader.
It is expected that Johnson will remain as a caretaker Prime Minister until the autumn, when a new Tory leader will be revealed around the time of the party conference.
Johnson has often been referred to as a “recruiting sergeant” for Scottish independence by those on the Yes side, due to his grim approval ratings north of the Border and perceived attitude towards the country.
Nicola Sturgeon and the SNP have often used Johnson’s name and image in their campaign materials, capitalising on his unpopularity and portraying him as a Trump-like figure opposed to Scotland exercising its right to democracy.
In a comment piece first published in Holyrood magazine, Salmond asks: “If Johnson was indeed a rallying figure for Scottish nationalism, then who will do the rallying in the post-Boris world?”
Salmond argues that Johnson’s insistence on sticking around in Number 10 is a “godsend for campaigning purposes”.
He calls on pro-independence politicians to capitalise on this, writing: “To be effective, people have to feel the outrage and have it illustrated by popular demonstration and parliamentary intervention.”
The former SNP leader added: “Johnson is now the lame duck presiding over a power vacuum at Westminster. That means power, influence and authority lies elsewhere.
“It’s time to use it before we lose it. The people have been pledged a poll on October 19, 2023. They could get pretty upset if it is not delivered, particularly in the apparent absence of a sustained campaign to secure one.”
In the article, Salmond also calls on the SNP to “lower expectations” in its referral of the Independence Referendum Bill to the Supreme Court – arguing that the idea of it giving Holyrood the green light to hold indyref2 without Westminster consent is “far-fetched”.
He adds that the definition of a de-facto referendum needs to be clearer, calling for there to be just one pro-independence candidate in every constituency rather than forcing the SNP, Greens, and Alba to work against each other.
Salmond previously called for an election pact with the other two pro-independence parties when the First Minister unveiled her route-map to indyref2.
Alba currently has just two MPs, both of whom were elected under the SNP banner at the 2019 General Election. The party had unsuccessful Holyrood election and local elections, returning no elected members.
Greens co-leader Patrick Harvie has already rejected the idea of putting forward one single Yes candidate per constituency, telling the BBC he would “expect” figures from his party to run across Scotland.
