The ALBA Party NEC meeting today accepted a proposal from the MP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Angus Brendan MacNeil, for joint working as part of an independence alliance.
Mr MacNeil earlier this week had written publicly to both First Minister Humza Yousaf and former First Minister and ALBA leader, Alex Salmond, advocating such an approach which would see one agreed pro-independence candidate in each constituency in the General Election.
Today, after discussion at the ALBA NEC, Alex Salmond replied positively and expressed the hope that First Minister Humza Yousaf will change direction on his current go-it-alone approach saying that “forthcoming and immediate political events, and perhaps the intervention of the SNP Conference next month, will provoke a change of heart on these crucial matters.
The proposal is that the independence parties and candidates agree on one candidate in each constituency standing on a platform to seek and implement a mandate to negotiate independence backed by a majority of votes cast for independence. Similar sentiments have been expressed in some grassroots resolutions to the SNP Conference.
In his reply to Angus MacNeil Mr Salmond said:
“Thus I put the matter to the ALBA National Executive Committee today who have accepted your proposal to work together. We are prepared to support your candidacy as an independent alliance candidate in Na h-Eileanan an Iar and Neale Hanvey MP, as our Parliamentary leader, will be in touch to discuss practical measures to promote independence in the current Westminster Parliament.”
Full Text of letter sent from Alex Salmond to Angus MacNeil MP
Dear Angus,
Thank you for your letter of 27th September.
Your proposals are similar to those I have put to the First Minister. Unfortunately, as yet I have had no response. However, I stand ready to meet or discuss these matters with him as they are very much in Scotland’s interests.
This is a great pity because whatever result the SNP hope to achieve in next year’s election it would be a great deal better with independence parties, and perhaps other independent candidates, standing under a Scotland United for Independence alliance with a clear strategy in seeking and implementing a mandate for independence negotiations. I believe it would also result in far more SNP MPs being returned.
I have therefore also copied this response to your letter to Humza in the hope that forthcoming and immediate political events, and perhaps the intervention of the SNP Conference next month, will provoke a change of heart on these crucial matters. However, I see no reason why ALBA or your good self should await these developments.
Thus I put the matter to the ALBA National Executive Committee today who have accepted your proposal to work together. We are prepared to support your candidacy as an independent alliance candidate in Na h-Eileanan an Iar and Neale Hanvey MP, as our Parliamentary leader, will be in touch to discuss practical measures to promote independence in the current Westminster Parliament.
I will release this letter publicly after allowing time for your receipt. Best wishes as always.
Yours for Scotland
The Rt Hon Alex Salmond Leader of the Alba Party
cc Humza Yousaf, First Minister
The plotical activists are realigning. The utter collapse in SNP membership and the little or no participation by remaining SNP members tells you that.
But the exodus of voters dissollusioned with the SNP also tells you that.
And together ex SNP members, ex SNP voters and nationalists supporting independence are realigning.
And on Thursday the SNP who settled in, troughed for Scotland whilst squandering mandate after mandate in the pursuit of personnel gravy are in for a huge shock.
Voters who can now no longer vote for the SNP are not going to stay at home. Nor are they going to vote for unionist Labour Party every bit as much Tory as the Tories.
No, I think they are going to come out and vote for a straightforward independence candidate Collette Walker.
Standing on a very straightforward ticket voters having nothing to lose, and everything to gaim, by voting for Collette and sending a huge message that folks want change, and will vote for change.
And Collette Walker is that change.
….. please let it be so !!! …. if Unionists (Tories, Labour & Lib Dems) can, and did in 2014, unite to promote NO to the Scottish electorate, then the SNP, ALBA, ISP, Greens (I hae ma doubts, prove me wrong !!) & Independents like Angus MacNeil, can unify around Scotland United … we can do this.