Two Letters

Published 4 October 2024

Dear Leadership of the SNP,

I write to you as a loyal and long-standing member of this party. I have voted for the SNP since I was 18 years old, and I believe in our party as the legitimate government of Scotland. My commitment to this party has been unwavering for decades. However, as deeply as I support the SNP, my loyalty to you comes second to my loyalty to Scottish independence. It is this loyalty to the independence movement that compels me to speak to you today.

Independence must be at the heart of every decision, strategy, and agenda set forth by the SNP. If party hegemony becomes the driving force behind our existence, we risk losing sight of the very purpose for which the SNP was conceived—the independence of Scotland. If we allow the preservation of the party to supersede the goal of independence, we may never achieve independence under your leadership. In time, the party I have devoted so much to will become something unrecognisable, distanced from its founding principles.

I ask that you consider the benefits of having more pro-independence seats in Holyrood, not just for the SNP but for the movement as a whole. In 2021, 1.1 million list votes were cast for the SNP, delivering only two list seats. That outcome should give us pause and lead us to rethink our strategy. The call for "both votes SNP," which was communicated to us, particularly via a party member in a pre-election Zoom call, was flawed in its execution. I called attention to this then, and I stand by it today.

For those uncertain about how the list vote is calculated, the Holyrood website offers a valuable tool that clearly explains the process. This explanation stands in stark contrast to the presentation given to us by the party during the 2021 campaign. I am not criticising the party as a whole, but I am critical of our stance on failing to collaborate with the wider independence movement. The grassroots movement is eager and ready to help transform Holyrood into a true Scottish Parliament, yet the SNP has remained isolated in its approach.

While we may not yet have the power to call a legally binding referendum, we do have the power to elect a majority pro-independence Parliament. We can push unionist voices to the margins and create a pro-Scottish government and opposition in Holyrood. Imagine the impact: a Parliament where the unionist agenda is drowned out by an abundance of pro-independence voices.

There are 250,000 SNP supporters who stayed at home during the last UK general election. A clear and energised pro-independence stance could motivate these voters to return to the polls. If we adopt this strategy, not only could we re-engage those who have felt disconnected, but we could also attract voters from other pro-independence parties. They would see in us a party that is committed to the movement above all else.

However, achieving this would require a significant leap of faith. Here is what I propose: withdraw all SNP candidates from the regional list. Allow our members to vote for other pro-independence candidates on the list. This would, without a doubt, deliver around 30 more pro-Scottish MSPs into Holyrood. By stepping back from the list, we would send a powerful signal that we are willing to collaborate and that independence is our ultimate goal.

I believe this move would encourage other pro-independence parties to return the gesture by not placing candidates in the constituencies. This way, in the 2026 election, we would face the unionist parties alone, but with the added backing of other pro-Scottish parties supporting our constituency efforts.

This approach would help us win Holyrood for the people of Scotland and reignite electoral faith in the SNP. It would demonstrate that Holyrood is truly a pro-Scotland Parliament and not a mouthpiece for the Union.

By writing this letter, I recognise that I may risk losing my party membership. If this letter leads to that outcome, I will understand that party hegemony has indeed become more important than independence. However, I hope that will not be the case. Even if the SNP were to find itself in a minority government, you would still have 30 more pro-independence MSPs with whom to negotiate, and far fewer unionist voices.

If the SNP is truly serious about independence and not just about protecting the party, then I believe this strategy will advance the movement faster than any actions we can take alone.

Yours for Scotland,
Mo



Dear friends and esteemed leaders of Alba, The ISP, and the Scottish Greens,

I write to you today with a message of unity, hope, and strategic foresight as we approach a crucial juncture in Scotland’s journey toward independence. The 2026 Holyrood elections present us with a unique opportunity, one that must be grasped with both wisdom and clear intent if we are to advance the cause that binds us all together, the sovereignty of our nation.

It is imperative that we see 2026 as more than just another election. It is our chance to build a strong, pro-independence opposition in Holyrood through the list vote. But, as we all know, convincing entrenched SNP voters to shift their support will not be an easy task. For years, they have placed their trust in the SNP as the flagbearer of independence, and any attempt to move them towards other pro-independence options must be done with care, diplomacy, and a positive approach.

To achieve this, we must focus on winning hearts and minds. Less “SNP bad” rhetoric, more collaboration and reassurance. We should express a stance that demonstrates we are not a threat to the SNP's constituency votes, nor should we aim to be. In fact, we should make a public statement, loud and clear, that our collective parties will not field candidates in the constituencies.

By doing so, we demonstrate a genuine intention to support the overall independence movement and to build a large, united pro-independence opposition through the list vote.

This strategy will aim to disarm any defensive action from the SNP regarding the election. By displaying a non-threatening posture from both party and activists, we allow the SNP to continue their efforts in the constituencies while we focus on where we can make the most impact—through the list. Let them govern, but let us ensure that no unionist opposition stands in the way of our ultimate goal: a fully independent Scotland.

We don’t have to be friends with the SNP to make this work; in fact, it’s not about them at all. Our focus should remain steadfast on the benefits of a pro-independence opposition in Holyrood, one that can push out the unionist presence that has no place in our parliament. After all, why should we allow unionists to hold sway in a Scottish Parliament when our goal is self-governance? Holyrood should be a beacon for pro-Scottish voices, dedicated to the future of our country, not beholden to the interests of the union.

This is why I urge you to lead by example. Let us move away from unnecessary internal conflicts, ignore the distractions, and concentrate on selling the benefits of a powerful pro-independence opposition. Together, we can break the hegemony mindset, shift the focus to the list vote, and deliver for Scotland in a way that strengthens the cause of independence from all sides.

Finally, let us be educators, not just politicians. The electorate must understand that pro-independence representation in Holyrood, at every level, is better for Scotland than unionist voices that seek to maintain the status quo. We don’t need to be critical of the SNP to win this argument, we simply need to present a compelling vision for a future where every seat in Holyrood serves the interest of a sovereign Scotland.

We need move forward, united and strategic, to build the Scotland we know is possible.

Let us lead by example and not with critisism. Rising above the finger pointing and pushing for what is best for Scotland.

Because if we don’t, and continue down the present path, the list seats will be out of our reach and we too become a hegemonic set of voices in the wilderness of the Independence movement.

If this happens the only losers will be future generations of Scots.

Yours for Scotland,
Mo