HUMZA Yousaf has set out his plans for the SNP’s independence strategy for the upcoming General Election.
Speaking at the party’s Independence Convention at the Caird Hall in Dundee, the First Minister pledged that independence would be front and centre of the campaign.
He proposed that the party should present a manifesto for independence at the next election, and if the SNP win, seek negotiations with the UK Government on how to give “democratic effect” to securing independence.
The proposals put the ball in the UK Government's court, with Yousaf challenging Westminster to "prove" that the Union is voluntary.
Yousaf did not clarify the definition of an SNP win, but it is understood that a majority of SNP seats would be enough to trigger those negotiations.
He told attendees: “I believe that in this election, the SNP should offer the people of Scotland a manifesto for an independent Scotland.
"A manifesto bursting with ideas about how Scotland can harness our potential through the powers of independence.”
He continued: “So whether that democratic effect is a referendum or simply the general election itself, that is for them to answer. They told Scotland that this is a voluntary union. Prove it."
The First Minister confirmed in the event the SNP wins the election: “We will take that mandate from the people and ensure we as a government are ready to negotiate our independence."
Delegates to the convention will be discussing the proposals throughout the day.
Yousaf set out the details of the plan to the Dundee event.
In the event of an SNP win in 2024, he said the party would put together a detailed document, titled “Withdrawal from Westminster – A New Partnership Agreement”.
This would include a draft legal text on the transfer of powers from Westminster to the Scottish Parliament “necessary to prepare for independence”.
It would set out how assets would be divided between Scotland and the rest of the UK.
At this stage, Yousaf says the Government would also conduct a “nationwide, open, and inclusive consultation on a draft interim constitution, the founding document of our newly-independent state”.
