by Frances Watt
We don't know what's going on with Alba, Through A Scottish Prism, the 'Indy1st' idea, or anything else much. So we'll be tuning in to today's TASP to see if it sheds any light.
The following tweets raise more questions than they answer but are worth considering all the same.
One thing's for sure - the independence movement appears to be fractured like never before. Many thousands of veteran campaigners and activists have abandoned the SNP and are ready to support a cohesive party or group which can lay out a clear way forward - essential for many of them is an unequivocal commitment to women and girls' rights.
'A woman is an adult human female' and it should not be difficult for anyone who agrees with that statement to confirm as much. Any movement or party trying to avoid the question or declining to underscore the obvious answer does not deserve mass support.
So far as we can tell, that's what's behind the latest schism and there's no good reason why it can't be clarified.
Barrhead Boy, in a tweet yesterday, replying to someone who asked him what is going on, said 'It's darkest before the dawn'.
That's sure enough, but today many independence supporters are in despair, asking 'how dark does it have to get?'
For Sarah
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INDY1st. A New Movement in Scottish Politics
Barrheadboy
2nd Mar
Empowering Independent Independence: INDY1st. A New Movement in Scottish Politics
In the ever-evolving landscape of Scottish politics, a dedicated group of Scottish Independence supporters has emerged with a bold vision and a clear mission. Frustrated by the perceived limitations of traditional political parties in advancing the cause of independence, they have taken matters into their own hands by establishing an organisation aimed at promoting Independent Independence candidates and campaigns throughout Scotland.
This grassroots movement is driven by a shared belief that the political establishment has failed to adequately represent the aspirations and interests of those who yearn for an independent Scotland. While the Scottish National Party (SNP) has long been seen as the primary standard-bearer for independence, many supporters feel disillusioned by what they perceive as a lack of progress and boldness in advancing the cause.
Enter the new organization,Indy1st. Led by a diverse coalition of activists, strategists, and technologists, Indy1st aims to inject fresh energy and innovation into the independence movement by championing independent candidates who are committed to the cause but not necessarily aligned with any particular political party.
At the heart of the Indy1st approach lies a recognition of the power of technology and grassroots organising. Leveraging social media, data analytics, and community outreach strategies, the organisation intends to identify and support promising independent candidates who may have previously been overlooked by the mainstream political establishment. By harnessing the power of digital tools and platforms, Indy1st seeks to level the playing field and amplify the voices of grassroots activists who are passionate about securing Scotland’s independence.
Crucially, Indy1st mission goes beyond simply advocating for independence; it also aims to promote a more inclusive and participatory form of democracy. By supporting independent candidates who are not bound by the constraints of party politics, the organisation hopes to foster a political culture that prioritises dialogue, collaboration, and consensus-building over partisan division.
In recent years, Scotland has witnessed a surge in grassroots activism and civic engagement, fueled in part by the momentum generated by the 2014 independence referendum. Indy1st seeks to harness this energy and channel it into meaningful political action, offering a platform for ordinary citizens to play a direct role in shaping the future of their country.
Of course, the road ahead will not be without its challenges. Building a viable alternative to the established political parties will require sustained effort, resources, and strategic planning. Moreover, Indy1st will need to navigate the complex landscape of Scottish politics, which is characterised by competing interests, ideological differences and historical grievances.
Nevertheless, the emergence of the Independent Independence Movement represents a significant development in Scotland’s political landscape. By empowering independent candidates and campaigns, the organization offers a promising new avenue for those who believe that Scotland’s future should be determined by its people, free from the constraints of party politics.
As the movement gathers momentum and attracts support from across Scotland, it has the potential to reinvigorate the independence movement and chart a bold new course for Scottish politics. In a time of uncertainty and upheaval, the Independents for Independence Movement stands as a beacon of hope and possibility, reminding us that real change is possible when ordinary citizens come together to pursue a shared vision of a better future.
Indy1st intends to be an active organisation not just a talking shop.Activities they will run include voter registration, street stalls, town hall meetings, canvassing opinions in the street and on the doorstep. Dialogue, inclusion and solidarity with the people not at the people they believe is the key to Independence.
Liz @ 6:00 pm
“Does this fit in with Colonialist Theory.”
Postcolonial theory tells us that national parties in the colonies tend to model themselves on political parties in the mother country. Hence they focus heavily on organisation and structures and on developing a wide range of policy priorities. This is a mistake in that it diverts the party focus and resources away from the main cause. In addition, policy decisions on this and that can easily split the party and the movement.
This from 2021 on ‘ALBA’s conformity’ strategy may be of interest: https://grousebeater.wordpress.com/2021/11/19/the-case-for-freedom-2/
“ALBA appear to be going about setting up its organisational structure in much the same way as that of traditional political parties. We see created a ‘youth’ wing, a ‘woman’s’ wing, and an ‘ethnic/Asian minorities’ wing. Whilst admittedly this represents an important feature of today’s politics, we should not forget that independence is fundamentally about the liberation of an entire oppressed minority ethnic group and nation – that is, the Scots and Scotland – a people currently constrained within the context of a ruling British state and Anglophone hegemony.
The SNP has previously gone down the route of prioritising, elevating and legislating for the ‘rights’ of numerous minority interest groups, and we see where that has gone – shifting the independence movement in a very long diversion away from the core aim, and arguably resulting in the replacement of that core aim, in addition to often questionable legislation being brought forward to ‘protect’ the interests of minority groups (and lobby groups!).
The next part of ALBA’s development strategy is to contest local government elections. Whilst again this is a normal feature of traditional political parties, the reality is that no matter how many ALBA councillors may be elected this will not secure independence either. Some may say the experience as councillors stands people in good stead to become career politicians, but do we really want or need career politicians to secure independence?
The ALBA strategy and structure therefore appears similar to the development process of any other mainstream political party. However, securing national independence is not about mainstream party politics, nor is it about political ideologies of left or right. Independence is far more important than this, being primarily about the national liberation of an entire people. The quest for independence therefore requires and depends on a different approach to the standard party political strategy or organisational structure.”
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