PRO-INDEPENDENCE candidates standing for Holyrood have been urged to endorse a new campaign calling for unity across the movement.
Liberate Scotland, an umbrella group representing a number of pro-independence organisations, has urged candidates to join their steering committee, with the aim of electing a Yes majority to Holyrood.
Candidates have also been encouraged to endorsee the Liberate Scotland declaration, which includes a call to support Liberation Scotland’s push to have the country “decolonised” by the United Nations.
The declaration is as follows:
- As associate members of Liberate Scotland we unite in common cause to liberate Scotland and achieve independence through decolonisation in a cross-party non-partisan political strategy for the Holyrood 2026 election
- We will work together to co-ordinate and agree the Scotland as One campaign approach to the Scottish Parliamentary elections in 2026
Liberate Scotland is made up of Liberation Scotland/Salvo, the Independence Scotland Party, Independence Forum Scotland, the Scottish Sovereignty Research Group and Independents 4 Independence.
Sara Salyers, director of Liberation Scotland and Salvo, said the organisations would not be standing any candidates in next year’s election but said the campaigns would welcome anyone working “to liberate Scotland from the fraudulent Union with England and achieve independence through decolonisation in a cross-party non-partisan strategy and approach to the Holyrood 2026 election”.
She added: “With the UK Government continuing to block the legal and inalienable right of Scots to self-determination, and with successive elected majorities of nationalist politicians in Scotland having failed to deliver independence for our nation, Liberation Scotland intends to end the colonial exploitation and domination of Scotland and its people by the Anglo-British state.”
Colette Walker (below), of the Independence Scotland Party (ISP), said she backed the campaign as part of her party’s goal to move Scotland to a “direct democracy” system and for MSPs to swear an oath “to the sovereign people not a monarch from another country”.
She added: “To make the essential changes , we need candidates standing on a ‘Scotland As One‘ ticket and work together with other parties, non-partisan, liberation supporting groups/organisations with the same values and principles, that is why, ISP is delighted to work under the ‘Liberate Scotland’ umbrella.”
John Brown secretary of the Independence Forum Scotland, said: “A primary aim of the Independence Forum Scotland is to unite the independence movement and to develop a shared vision for a future Scotland by enabling pro-independence people to work together on a non-party political basis with the aim of securing independence.
“The 26 national and regional member organisations of the Independence Forum, many of whom are active campaign groups, are now being consulted on the Liberate Scotland proposals for a cross-party non-partisan political strategy for the Holyrood 2026 election.”
Scottish Sovereignty Research Group’s director David Henry said: "As a non-partisan think tank who researches policies and Scotland’s constitutional future, we welcome the development of Scottish groups working together to help build a better future and wish all those involved much success.”
Eva Comrie, from Independents 4 Independence, said: “At this critical juncture in our nation’s history, unity of purpose among all those who believe in Scotland’s right to self-determination is not only welcome, it is essential.”
Responding to the call, an Alba spokesperson said: "As a political party we have always advocated for greater unity across the independence movement, because only by working together will we achieve Scotland’s self-determination.
"Our enduring strategy is to maximise independence representation in the Scottish Parliament by standing candidates on the list only.
"As a member-led party, decisions regarding our electoral strategy are determined by our members through the appropriate internal processes and will be announced in due course.”
The SNP and the Scottish Greens were approached for comment.
