MEMBERS of grassroots groups and independence parties have reacted to the First Minister's plan for the “immediate establishment” of a constitutional convention, with one telling The National it is a "new way of saying ‘keep us all in power’ that makes it about independence".
It comes after it was revealed that the SNP leader will ask party members to support the move in a motion put forward at the upcoming conference in Aberdeen in October.
Swinney has argued that the only time a referendum had been secured was after the SNP’s historic majority win in 2011, when it returned 69 MSPs, and so, he intends to set up a “Scottish constitutional convention” to “marshal support for Scotland’s right to decide through gathering support from the people of Scotland, civic bodies and international opinion”.
SNP depute leader Keith Brown, who has co-signed the motion, previously told the party’s conference in 2024 that he would support an independence convention that included other Yes-party representatives.
Brown said the move puts independence "at the very heart of the 2026 election campaign".
"I know how important the establishment of a civic convention will be for our movement –it has been pushed by some of our leading Yessers and The National newspaper itself.
"Together, we will deliver it and make this campaign a reality. That will be welcomed by activists across Scotland," Brown added.
A constantly-declining seriousness about the SNP
Robin McAlpine, founder of pro-independence think tank Common Weal reacted to the news by describing the announcement as an attempt at "saving political careers.".
"There is a recklessness about the way the SNP is exhausting what remains of the patience of independence supporters," he said, questioning: "Is there a committee that meets to come up with ways to say the same thing again and again using slightly different words?
"Wasn't there a new strategy two weeks ago? Will there be more? Shouldn't we just wait for the next one?"
McAlpine added: "The prospectus for independence remains full of holes and a serious constitutional convention could play an important role. That's not what this is. This is a plea for an uncritical fan club that the First Minister hopes will rescue his election campaign. There is to be no independent thought, no alternative opinions, just cheerleading.
"There is a constantly-declining seriousness about the [[SNP]] these days. I don't think anyone really believes any of this anymore. Tying independence inseparably to the Scottish Government isn't about progressing independence but saving political careers.
"Still, at this rate we'll only have to pretend to believe in this strategy for a few weeks until the next one comes along."
'Eyes on the prize'
Former SNP MP Tommy Sheppard told The National that if, in nine months time, there is any Scottish government formed other than one led by the SNP, "it is a major setback for the national movement," urging the party to keep the "eyes on the prize".
"It just makes it so very much harder to start talking about moving forward to independence. It doesn't mean a campaign stops, but will be a big blow, and we will lose the levers of government which can which could be deployed," Sheppard said.
When it comes to other pro-independence political parties on the ticket, Sheppard said if they were to get "even 3 or 4% of the vote each, all that means is that they don't get anybody elected, and neither does the SNP".
Sheppard added: "We need to make sure that those who resist or deny Scotland's right to self-determination are defeated, and that those who insist upon it are victorious."
Elsewhere, Alba leader Kenny MacAskill said the convention was to be welcomed, but it must be used as "the launch pad for a plebiscite election".
He also demanded that all pro-independence parties must be included, claiming that the referendum route proposed by Swinney is "doomed to fail", adding: "Otherwise it will be a blind alley leading to a political cul de sac".
“Holyrood 2026 must be Scotland’s independence election where the pro-independence parties seek a mandate for Independence and agree that a majority of votes cast for pro-independence parties, on the regional list, will constitute that mandate," MacAskill said.
“Alba have consistently called for action on independence. The SNP have an opportunity to make this convention more than symbolic, and instead ensure that it leads directly to a clear, democratic mandate for independence at the next election.”
Brown said he understood the frustration felt by the public, and called on Scotland use the "golden opportunity to change all of this" in 2026.
“There is a lot of frustration out there at the moment – people across the UK feel like they are working harder than ever, but their living standards aren’t improving, and their energy bills and food costs are going up. We were told to wait for a Labour government but now we have a government which is balancing the books on the backs of the poor, the disabled and the elderly.
“Next year, people in Scotland have a golden opportunity to change all of this – using the election to put ourselves in the driving seat of our own destiny.
“Westminster wins when we in the independence movement convince ourselves that we cannot – that has always been their objective. But the reality is that support for independence in Scotland has never been as consistently high as it is today, and the case for [[Westminster]] control of Scotland has never looked weaker.
"There is not a single question facing Scotland right now for which Westminster control provides the answer.
“The [[SNP]] is the party of Scottish independence – and over the next few months, we will lead a new debate for a new Scotland. We will set out an ambitious and radical vision for Scotland’s future – showing how we can use our immense energy wealth to raise living standards, power Scotland’s economy and transform public services".
