A National Assembly

The future is bright, the future is a national assembly. The Independence Forum Scotland is organising a National Convention for Scotland’s Future. It will take place on St. Andrew’s Day, 30 November 2024. For details contact@independenceforum.scot – John Brown, IFS Secretary.

Convener Ian Grant said: “The chosen date, ten years on from the referendum on Scottish independence, will add significance to the vitally important discussions that are critical to defining Scotland’s future.

There is an urgent need to address the future governance of Scotland, political rights, sovereignty and decentralised forms of democracy.

“IFS has formed small teams, from member organisations, to put arrangements in place for the National Convention. This will include two further planning assemblies, in June and September, and a preliminary meeting of convention members will be held in October.”

Their key tasks are Governance, Membership, Organisation & Structure, along with Finance & Funding, Media & Communications and Engagement with Civic & Civil Organisations.”

The rationale

Secretary John Brown said: “There is no clear political consensus on the future governance of Scotland, but there is broad agreement that devolution as it stands is not working. The key topics, including Sovereignty and the Constitution, the Common Good, Industrial Strategy, Land Reform, Health and Wellbeing were agreed at the first planning assembly. We will be calling upon expert opinion where appropriate, but also engaging with the wider public and civic and civil organisations, which is key to ensuring the convention is successful in achieving its aims.”

Forum committee member Joan Duncan added: “We need to capture passion within the independence movement by resolving conflict, reducing duplication and encouraging a focus on positive action for meaningful change. This is a key element of the Forum’s work. A shared vision for a future Scotland as an independent nation will come about by enabling pro-independence people to work together on a non-party political basis.”

Advisory committee

An advisory committee is being established comprising leading members of the independence movement, and it will be in place by the end of the month. Members will be drawn from around Scotland to represent the interests of all Scotland’s people.

Current Members All Under One Banner; Christians for Independence; Constitution for Scotland; Independence Letter Writers Group; Fife Plus for Independence; Liberation Scotland / SNC Steering Group; NHS for Yes; Peoples Assembly Scotland; Pensioners for Indy;Perth & Kinross Hub; Salvo Scotland;Scottish Currency Group; Scottish Independence Foundation; Scottish Sovereignty Research Group; Vive Ecosse; SNP Trade Union Group; Yes Edinburgh & Lothians; Yes for EU; Yes Highlands & Islands; Yes North East; Associate members; National Yes Registry.

NOTES

*******************************************************