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The National (Scotland)
The National (Scotland)
National
Craig Meighan

Unionist group starts fundraiser to stop de facto referendum and target 20 SNP seats

A PRO-UNION campaign group has launched a fundraiser to take on 20 SNP seats at the next General Election.

Scotland in Union, which was established after the 2014 independence referendum, said it has launched the campaign "to ensure the people of Scotland's priorities are heard".

The group said it will use the cash to target 20 key SNP seats at the next election where they say the party can be defeated.

The "20 for 20" campaign has so far raised more than £8000 with a target of £10,000.

The fundraiser reads: "Scotland in Union are campaigning to ensure that the people of Scotland's priorities are heard, not the SNP's.

"The SNP are ignoring the majority of Scotland and continuing to promote their unwanted and divisive 'de facto referendum'.

"They say they want to treat the next election as a referendum, when in reality people in Scotland will want to vote on many more issues like the cost of living crisis.

"With your help, Scotland in Union can campaign in the areas where we can make the most difference. We want to support politicians who aren't obsessed with division."

The National: Scotland in Union wants to target 20 key SNP seats at the next General Election Scotland in Union wants to target 20 key SNP seats at the next General Election

The Aberdeen Independence Movement (AIM) accused the group of being "complicit in the denial of Scottish democracy".

Co-founder, Josh Mennie said: “Perhaps Scotland in Union would have a shred of credibility for their efforts if they instead supported the very basis of Scottish democracy.

“Instead, they have become complicit in the denial of Scottish democracy and the will of the people of Scotland, along with their colleagues in the UK Government.

“AIM are shifting up a gear in our efforts and will be doing everything in our gift to ensure we fight and win the general election which will be a de-facto referendum on Scottish independence.

“If you would like to contribute toward turning Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire to a Yes majority, join us as a member or donate on our website.

"Every penny raised will be spent on securing the democratic will of the people of Scotland and ultimately gaining our independence. Donations: AIM.scot.”

The National: Independence is likely to be a key issue at the next election Independence is likely to be a key issue at the next election

All Under One Banner organiser Neil Mackay said: "This pathetic fundraiser shows that Scotland in Union are panicking because they know that the supreme court's ruling has been massively counterproductive for the British state, as it has categorically shown that Scotland is not in a voluntary union of equals with England.

"This week the situation has materially changed, with everyone now knowing that the people of Scotland will win our freedom at a plebiscite election.

"The fight for independence is on."

It comes after a survey found that half of Scots would vote SNP at the next general election if a victory for the party could lead to independence.

The snap poll of 1006 Scottish voters was carried out by Find Out Now for Channel 4 News on Wednesday after the UK Supreme Court ruled another independence referendum cannot be held without the backing of Westminster.

Of those asked, 412 of whom voted SNP in the last general election, 50% said they would vote SNP at the next general election if a victory for them could lead to Scotland leaving the UK.

A third (33%) said they would not, while the remainder said they do not know or prefer not to say.

Meanwhile, just over half (51%) said they would vote SNP at the next general election if their vote would be used as a mandate to negotiate independence with the UK Government, while a third said they would not.

Asked what was most important to them, just over a quarter (26%) said Scottish independence, while 61% said the Scottish economy and public services, while 13% said they do not know or prefer not to say.

Judges at the UK’s highest court announced their unanimous ruling on Wednesday, making clear the Scottish Parliament “does not have the power to legislate for a referendum on Scottish independence”.

Following the judgment, Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon vowed to continuing pushing for independence, saying: “As long as there is breath in my body, I refuse to give up on the basic principle of democracy.”

She said a special SNP conference will be held in the new year “to discuss and agree the detail of a proposed de facto referendum”, using the next UK election.

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