Welcome to the latest news from the SIC. Every month, we will bring you updates from the SIC (what we’ve been up to, what we are planning, news from our members) and information from across the independence movement! We want to share your news and events too: please do get in touch and let us know what you would like to see in this newsletter.
Scotland’s Right to Choose
There have been lots of different discussions in different places about how we get another independence referendum, as well as when that should be. It seems clear that the UK Government has little interest in repeating the process that delivered the 2014 independence vote. However, polls now consistently show a majority of people in Scotland are in favour of independence.
We believe that any country should have the right to self-determination, and with the polling increasingly in favour of independence, the democratic demand for another referendum is obvious. The SIC is looking to work with other organisations, groups and individuals to build the pressure for another referendum. If you would like to be involved in this, please do get in touch.
In addition to this campaign planning, the SIC has also been facilitating a body of work that maps out the activities and processes that will be needed to create an independent country once we win an independence referendum vote. If you are interested in this work, please let us know.
Voices for Scotland Update
Last year the SIC launched Voices for Scotland to be the campaign organisation focused on reaching out beyond the independence movement to listen and speak to those still unsure about independence. After a period of furlough during lockdown, the VfS Campaign staff are back, and are facilitating weekly online conversations on various themes. These “Get Togethers” are spaces where people from all over the country can come together to chat about their experiences, opinions, hopes and dreams for Scotland’s future. They are designed to generate wider discussion, beyond the constraints of party politics, and to give more people the space to have their voices heard.
The next Get Together is this Thursday, 30th July, from 6pm, and it will focus on jobs, the economy and planning for the future. Can we afford to remain in the UK? Can we afford to leave the UK? What are the possibilities with the different paths? What do we want to do in the future? How can we best get these things done?
If you are interested in sharing your thoughts on these issues, or want to hear what others have to say, do join the Voices team. You can register for the event here, or find out more about this and future Get Togethers on the Voices for Scotland Facebook and Twitter accounts, or email them at info@voicesforscotland.scot.
Voices for Scotland is also keen to be a resource for campaigners and groups across the country. You might also be interested in the resources they have developed or gathered so far, but if you have any other resources you’d like to share with the wider movement, do let them know.
Resilient Scotland: how to deliver a better future for Scotland
The coronavirus pandemic and lockdown over the last few months have shown just what kinds of transformations might be possible with political will and collective action. Common Weal has spent lockdown developing their plan to deliver a better future for Scotland: Resilient Scotland. This plan describes how we can achieve good jobs, economic equality, environmental sustainability, social cohesion, and more. Part One covers the time between now and the Holyrood elections in May 2021; Part Two covers the four-year term of that parliament; and Part Three covers the longer-term shift into a Green New Deal. Do have a read of this plan, and let Common Weal know if you have any questions or would like them to speak about this work at an event near you.
SIC Member in focus: Christians for Independence
SIC is a member-led organisation, and we want to help spread information about our members with the wider independence movement. This month, we feature Christians for Independence.
Christians for Independence (CFI) was founded in 2009 and was launched as a Yes group in 2014 to take part in the first independence referendum campaign. Its members come from all over Scotland and from many different churches; they are not affiliated to any political party.
CFI’s importance as a sectoral Yes group lies in the fact that research has shown that many church-goers voted No in the 2014 referendum, and presumably might do so again. Its aim is to persuade Christians that independence is entirely compatible with Christianity and indeed that only with independence can Scotland be the kind of country where Christian values can be put fully into practice. This includes fair and compassionate policies in all aspects of government, respect for the environment, welcoming refugees and the removal of nuclear weapons. To bring this about, Scotland needs control over its economy, and to be free to make its own decisions.
CFI also hopes to bring the influence of these values to bear on the establishment of the independent Scottish state and its constitution, and see church and state working together for the good of all.
CFI campaigns for independence in many ways. It posts regularly on social media on relevant current affairs topics, and has a following of over 8000 on Facebook. It holds talks and services as Fringe events at SNP conferences, and takes part in independence marches. It holds regular meetings for all its members, recently via Zoom, and also keeps them informed by newsletter. It is just completing a booklet entitled Scotland the Nation – a Christian Case for Independence, which will be sent out to the clergy of all Scottish churches and which will also be available to individuals and to Yes groups.For more information see the CFI website or email them at christiansforindependence@gmail.com.
Events for your diary
We know that there are lots of different things happening across Scotland, organised by campaign groups and others. If you would like your events featured in this newsletter, please let us know! Keep an eye on the SIC Facebook page where events we think are of interest will be shared.
You might be interested in the following upcoming events organised by SIC members:
- Why women are key to winning independence, Monday 3rd August, organised by Aberdeen Independence Movement
- The Future of Tourism: sustainability and success post-COVID, Wednesday 5th August, organised by Common Weal
We want to hear from you!
That’s it for this month. If you have anything you’d like to share with the wider independence movement, please do let us know. And do let us know what you think about this newsletter, and how we can make it better!
Thanks all.
Take care, and stay well.
The SIC Comms team
The Scottish Independence Convention
e: info@theconvention.scot f: facebook.com/ScotConvention t: twitter.com/ScotConvention w: independenceconvention.scot