SENIOR SNP politicians have set out an alternative path to independence for debate at the party’s conference which includes withdrawing MPs from Westminster if a mandate is won but the UK Government refuses to take part in negotiations.
The provisional agenda for the meeting, which will take place in Aberdeen in October, includes a motion which states that a mandate for Scotland to become independent “with immediate effect” will be secured if the SNP and other pro-independence parties secure 50% plus one of votes in a national election.
But if the UK Government does not “meaningfully engage” with the Scottish Government over negotiations within 90 days, it says MPs will be withdrawn from Westminster and a National Assembly will take forward the establishment of Scotland as an independent nation.
However, if enough votes are not secured, it also proposes that opinions on Scottish independence will be “sought at the next national election”.
The plan has been backed by MPs including Douglas Chapman, Peter Wishart (below) and Joanna Cherry along with MSPs Colin Beattie and James Dornan.
It was also backed by the Almond and Earn, Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath branches.
The strategy set out by First Minister Humza Yousaf at a special conference in June this year suggested negotiations for independence would take place if the SNP won the most seats, rather than votes, in Scotland at the next general election.
Writing in the introduction to the draft agenda, Yousaf said he “fully intended” for his proposition to be debated at conference.
But he said had not yet put forward a motion on the issue as he was waiting to hear feedback from members on the idea.
He wrote: “I have also made it clear that we all need to reflect and respect the views of members which are being gathered by means of regional assemblies happening right across the country.
“I will therefore wait until those events have concluded before submitting a resolution for conference in my name so that feedback from all of these events, plus dialogue with members and branches and input from resolutions already submitted on the topic of independence, can inform the resolution I bring forward.”
Speaking at the regional assembly in Dumfries on yesterday, Yousaf said he was “not set” on what his motion would be.
He told the Sunday National: “If I was, I would have just submitted the motion and the whole purpose was to listen to the regional assemblies.
“I’ve been to a couple and no doubt will get feedback from every single one of them that is still to go.
“It will absolutely feed into the thoughts that I’ve got here today, and this was the same when I was in mid-Scotland and Fife, that actually in terms of the strategy people are weighing in behind it.”
He added: “I will publish a resolution – and that can be amended and people can come up with even further suggestions if they wish.
“I was really serious about being a leader who empowers the democratic voice of our party.”
Other motions on independence strategy in the draft agenda include from Inverness city branch which suggests contesting all future parliamentary elections – whether for Holyrood or Westminster – as a de facto referendum.
It suggests a majority would be based on combined votes for the SNP and any other parties it has reached a pro-independence agreement with.
A motion submitted by the East Kilbride branch calls for the party’s manifesto to outline that the SNP securing a majority of Scottish seats in the General Election will enable the Scottish Government to draw up a withdrawal agreement with the UK Government to prepare for Scottish Independence.
SNP policy development convener Toni Giugliano said the debate on independence at conference is expected to “surpass” the discussion over an independent Scotland joining Nato which has taken place in the party and will be a defining moment for the SNP.
“For the second year running we have a grassroots-led agenda – with almost every motion coming forward from a branch or an affiliate,” he said.
He added: “The independence resolutions in the provisional agenda reflect the breadth of opinion that exists among our membership.
“It will then be up to delegates to choose which of these will progress and of course all resolutions will be subject to amendments.”
