AN SNP activist and long-time independence campaigner has called for an electoral pact between pro-independence parties ahead of the 2026 Holyrood election.
Toni Giugliano, the SNP’s former policy convener, urged the SNP, the Scottish Greens, Alba and other pro-independence forces to begin discussions on a coordinated electoral strategy to avoid splitting the vote.
The goal? To maximise the return of pro-independence MSPs, with the activist pointing to similar pre-election alliances in continental Europe and arguing there's no reason something similar can't work in Scotland.
“Both Votes SNP triumphed in 2011 in particular but we’re witnessing a major realignment in Scottish and UK politics,” he told The National.
“The tectonic plates are shifting beneath our feet. I'd like to see the party agree a strategy that reflects today’s reality – not yesterday’s – and that includes considering an electoral pact to ensure we don’t split the pro-independence vote.”
Giugliano (below) added: “Now is the time for unity, not division. We must put the cause of independence first. An electoral pact could be the key to delivering a rock-solid majority in 2026 and sending a clear message to Westminster that Scotland’s voice will not be ignored.
"Pre-election pacts are common in many European countries - I actually think it would show a level of maturity that Holyrood is moving in this direction. We have an incredibly sophisticated electorate which has embraced tactical voting in recent years - it's time for political parties to match that sophistication with strategic cooperation."
Recent polls have suggested a pro-independence majority could be on the cards, with The National’s survey pointing towards a huge pro-indy majority of 29 MSPs after next year's elections.
The survey, conducted by Find Out Now, predicted that the SNP would win 35% of the constituency share and 25% on the regional vote.
According to calculations by professor John Curtice, the full projected results would see 57 seats for the SNP, 14 for Labour, 15 for the Conservatives, 8 for Reform UK, 13 for the LibDems, 15 for the Greens, and 7 for Alba, if replicated in 2026.
This would lead to the three pro-independence parties securing an enormous 29-seat majority with a total of 79 MSPs, compared to just 50 MSPs between the four unionist parties.
The SNP, the Scottish Greens and Alba have been approached for comment.
