Scottish Independence Convention

The Scottish Independence Convention brought together some of the movement’s leading ‘thinkers’ together with local activists to focus on what should lead the manifestos of the indy parties in the 2026 election. Some strong themes emerged around which there was much consensus and one area of difference. So, political parties, please listen. First – what is wrong in the performance of the Scottish Government. Of course there is awareness that government is difficult and constantly demanding. Events can overtake the best intentions. But there was a widespread feeling that there has been little evidence for some years of a clear direction of change. Irrespective ofRead More →

What policy initiatives can best create the ground for independence? 2026 will be an important year for Scotland.  The Holyrood elections can give us a majority supporting or opposing independence.  But a paper majority is not enough.  We need to see policy programmes in the independence parties manifestos which will help to build the foundations for independence within the limitations of existing powers. There are two respects in which we can build these foundations.  We need policies which create confidence in Scotland’s ability to improve our quality of life.  We need policies which can help build the pathways to independence. The conference which will beRead More →

The Scottish Independence Convention will ask candidates for the 2026 Holyrood elections to signpersonally the following Declaration. ON THIS WE AGREE Scotland has been recognised as a distinct nation for over a thousand years Scotland has internationally recognised borders Scotland has long-established social, administrative and cultural institutions Scotland is resource-rich Scotland has a highly-educated population Scotland has an established legislature with significant but limited powers We believe that the people of Scotland have the democratic right to vote for independence at a time of their choosing We believe that Scotland can be a successful independent nation There may be things on which we disagree butRead More →

Conference and Ceilidh Tickets Major International Conference in Edinburgh, 5th October. On 5 October Scotland will host a major international conference which will, for the first time, bring 15 of Europe’s autonomy and independence movements together in Edinburgh to map out a future for Europe based on decentralisation and greater democracy. Independence campaigners from around the continent have this unique opportunity to get together, make connections, plan and learn from each other. Among the nations and regions attending are Greenland, the Faros, Scotland, Wales, Ireland, Flanders, the Veneto, Sardinia, Sicily, South Tyrol, Catalonia, the Basque Country, Corsica and the North of England. The conference isRead More →

The Scottish Independence Convention (SIC), would like to send its wholehearted congratulations to the SNP and the Scottish Green Party for their successes at the Holyrood elections.  We now have an even larger majority of Independence supporting MSPs and the mandate for a new referendum is renewed and strengthened.   We are particularly proud that Maggie Chapman, Co-convenor of the Convention and SNP convention member Emma Harper, were elected and re-elected respectively, and wish them well in this most important of parliamentary sessions.    We would also like to congratulate all those involved in the democratic process in Scotland which saw a record turn out,Read More →

In Setting up a Scottish Banking System, the fourth paper in the Scottish Independence Convention’s Transition series, finance expert Peter Ryan presents the case for banking reforms in the transition period leading to independence and explains the processes needed to set this up. Author: Peter Ryan Peter Ryan is married and lives in Ayr. He has worked in financial services for over 30 years. He has contributed to payment policy both in the UK and the European Union working with the European Banking Authority on real time Euro payments and Open Banking. His support for Scottish independence came from the injustice of the vote toRead More →

It is imperative that Scotland is fully aware of its own rights and responsibilities and it must take the time now, well before a decision to become independent takes place, to plan and prepare. Otherwise, we may find ourselves repeating the mistakes of Brexit and being forced into a disadvantageous deal due to a lack of understanding of what we already have and what we need and want. 5k Version 1k Version Author: Dr Craig Dalzell Dr Craig Dalzell is the Head of Policy & Research at the “think and do tank” Common Weal. His background is in laser physics but through a strange seriesRead More →

First part in a collection of papers being produced by SIC on the transition to independence. Full document and further reading here. “We must think of self-governing Scotland as an independent legal jurisdiction which has internationally recognised legal boundaries. A Customs officer at an immobile Customs Station, in an open-borders 21st Century European community, has very little impact and demonstrates how Unionists miss the point, whilst further; successfully confusing our electorate by claiming “hard borders” are a show-stopper when in fact they are very largely irrelevant.”   1 Introduction and Background This paper is written at the invitation of Scottish Independence Convention. The author’s practitionerRead More →