FIRST Minister John Swinney has been urged to put his “country before his party” and take part in an independence summit ahead of next year's Holyrood election.
Alba party leader Kenny MacAskill has called on the heads of all of the main pro-Scottish independence parties to unite and take part in his party's summit ahead of the All Under One Banner (AOUB) March in Glasgow on Saturday.
Earlier in April, Alba MSP Ash Regan called for a convention to be held a year out from the Holyrood elections, insisting that “energy” needs to be rebuilt if independence is to be a “realistic proposition” to voters.
However, the SNP sidestepped Alba’s call, and the Greens poured cold water on the proposal, saying the party has “significantly different visions about what an independent Scotland would look like”.
MacAskill has now written to the leaders of each of Scotland’s pro-independence parties urging them to reconsider their decision following Reform UK’s surge in the English local elections on Friday.
He added that by attending the summit, all parties involved can help create a clear way forward for demanding and achieving independence.
MacAskill (below) wrote: “Scotland is crying out for Independence as sky high energy costs and the threat posed to the poorest and weakest in our society from Westminster's benefit cuts clearly demonstrates.
“In the week when oil refining finally ended at Grangemouth with the loss of 400 jobs and it was revealed that 80,000 children in Scotland are living in severe poverty. And just yesterday, we witnessed the beginning of Farage's march to Downing Street. It is beyond doubt that Westminster rule is failing the people of Scotland.
“An urgent push for Independence is essential. The coming Holyrood election can be Scotland's Independence Election but it requires all pro-Independence parties to come together in a show of unity.
“We can disagree about the why of Independence but we can all agree on the urgent necessity of achieving Independence and begin to discuss and agree how we get there.”
AUOB organisers said they expect around 5000 people to join the demonstration this Saturday, which will begin in the city’s West End.
The march will set off from Kelvin Way at 11.30am, moving through the city centre before ending at Glasgow Green.
Organisers have encouraged demonstrators to bring banners, placards, megaphones, flags, pipes, and drums to create a lively and visible display of support for Scottish independence.
At the rally, Alba's MacAskill is expected to call on other party leaders to agree to join the independence summit, as he said unity amongst the parties would be the bedrock towards the cause.
MacAskill added: “That is why I am writing to John and the other pro-Independence party leaders asking them to commit to taking part in an Independence Summit.
“Independence offers a better way for Scotland but we need to work together to achieve it. An Independence Summit can be the first step in charting a clear and positive way forward.
“Unity is strength, and must be the bedrock of the Independence cause. Let us unite the movement and come together in a show of unity. If we unite we will win!”
