This was the week that John Swinney decided to issue the latest SNP ‘plan’ for independence. Cutbacks seem to have affected the SNP with this latest plan. The last time they gave us an independence ‘plan’ it was the Mike Russell 11- point plan, do you remember that one?

As time dragged on, and of course, nothing happened, and you dared to ask Mike, “what number are we at on the plan?” It got you blocked! As soon as that particular election was over it was back to the raison d’etre of the SNP, men in dresses and in women’s changing rooms!

This week, John’s conning plan (no, it is not a typo) was not even an upgrade on the last one. John started off his plan with a slight variation on the SNP delay tactic of converting soft Nos! Now, he wants to see a campaign to build “the highest levels of support possible for independence.” The first red herring, every opinion poll for the past 3 years has had YES ahead of No. There is already a majority in the country for independence. It is just awaiting the politicos to catch up and man up! Imagine just how high it would go with an actual independence plan!

He reiterated how Westminster was bad, indeed very bad, and that independence would be better. However, to quickly try to shift the blame from the SNP’s inaction John said that he wants to build “public pressure around Scotland’s fundamental national rights.” We already have the right, John, the people know about their Claim of Right. You are the only roadblock in us attaining our destiny!

Elsewhere in his grand plan, Swinney confirms that an “agreed democratic referendum” is the only route to independence. In other words, a Section 30 Referendum! What part of F@@@ OFF! is it that John Swinney and the SNP do not understand?

Since 2014, Theresa May, Boris Johnson, Liz Truss, Rishi Sunak, Keir Starmer, Anas Sarwar, Ian Murray, Nigel Farage, Kemi Badenoch, and not forgetting The English Supreme Court have all made it crystal clear a Section 30 Independence Referendum is never going to happen! The SNP could win every seat and every vote, and still England will say no!

However, John Swinney finishes with a flurry, an “emphatic” SNP win in next year’s Holyrood election would help the ultimate cause of the party! In other words, SNP 1-2 and SNP as the largest party at Holyrood with a new nandate to ignore. Note the last five words in John’s plan “the ultimate cause of the party.”

Therein lies the key to everything, what is the ultimate cause now of the SNP? It sure as hell is not independence. Is it the SNP version of ‘equality?’ Is it Devo Max and FFA? Is it just another 5 years at the Holyrood trough?

There is nothing new in John’s plan, in fact, it is all regurgitated carrots, meaningless managerial speak. “One more mandate” is the cry! There is a reason why Independence support is at 50%+ while the SNP languishes in the low 30%.

This is the main topic in today’s Through A Scottish Prism Podcast. My panel of Eva Comrie, Allan Petrie, Phil Boswell and Lloyd Quinan give their views on SNP’s latest election hook!

There is an alternative, and it is one that Liberate Scotland is promoting. Unite the entire Yes Movement, declare the Holyrood 2026 Election an independence plebiscite,win 50%+1 of the seats and votes, and make a unilateral declaration of independence (UDI) at a pre-determined location and time.

The most important element in such action is international recognition. This week, we saw the results of a YouGov Poll taken in the EU countries. It showed overwhelming support by the nations of the EU in welcoming Scotland into that organisation. Not a position this blog supports, we are very much in the EFTA camp. Single market and customs union but no more. We should also have agreements with BRICS, RCEP, MERCOSUR, to name just three more.That is another reason to be independent. We get to choose who we trade with and how we trade. England’s worldview is completely different from the Scottish worldview.

The Scottish people are ready for independence. The nations of the world are ready to welcome us. Sadly, the SNP is only ready for 5 more years of devolved gravy slurping!

Elsewhere,  Rachel in accounts has decided to take away any restrictions on the financiers of the City of London. Safeguards that were put in place after the 2008 property crash! They are also encouraging lending at 4.5 x income to encourage first-time buyers back into the market.

Like John’s rehashed plan, Rachel is up to the same nonsense. We know what happened last time, and we are still paying the price with 15 years of austerity and counting, all to pay for the City of Londons greed. The bankers were bailed out, and the wee folk were made to pick up the bill. Here it comes again!

We couldn’t let this week pass without discussing the latest machinations at the Sandi Peggie tribunal. If any SNP supporter wonders why their party is missing 20%+ of the pro-independence vote, they only need to follow this event and listen to the words of John Swinney and Neil Gray regarding the incompetent lawbreakers that are the NHS Fife management board!

A few weeks ago, we were planning to take a summer break as soon as Holyrood broke up for summer. Playing on Keynes theme of “When the facts change, I change my mind” we at Prism changed our mind when certain political events changed. I suggest Swinney and Reeves do similar.

That said, this will be the last TASP for a couple of weeks at least. My three youngest grandchildren are arriving tomorrow to spend a few weeks with me. That, my friends, is my priority for now. Viewers that are themselves grandparents will fully understand. Those that have not yet been blessed with grandchildren will one day find out exactly why it is my priority!

So unless some political or global bombshell happens, we will see you in a few weeks. In the meantime, enjoy yourselves and take care!