The Independence Forum Scotland (IFS) was formally inaugurated in June 2023, as a democratically constituted network of 21 regional and national member organisations having existed as a loose gathering of pro-independence groups since August 2021. The intention was to unite the movement which appeared to be fracturing into multiple groupings. That remains a key aim of IFS, despite an unsuccessful effort to bring several key groupings with us into the formal inauguration. We are continuing to have positive conversations with, amongst others, the Scottish Independence Convention and Common Weal, while our Vice Convener Carole Inglis has met with Believe in Scotland.
Alongside this overarching aim, two key objectives of IFS are to produce a new, fresh prospectus for an independent Scotland and to establish a National Convention on the Future of Scotland.
The prospectus would help make the case for independence, demonstrating why it is essential for a successful future for the country. It would identify the key issues: the perceived obstacles to independence ( currency, borders, Europe, pensions etc) and how they can be tackled, as well as the opportunities for a future Scotland with the full powers of a sovereign state. It would also tackle how independence might be achieved; essential as without the route to independence being set out, the question remains hypothetical.
Papers have been produced on our European future, the Economy, and Pensions, all to be published soon, while work on Energy, Land reform and Governance will follow the first meeting of the Convention. One of our member organisations, the Scottish Currency group has produced detailed plans for a new Scottish currency, which we commend to members. Another member group, Constitution for Scotland, has developed an interactive website, which could be pivotal in creating a constitution for an independent Scotland. So, steady progress is being made, even if perhaps not as quickly as we would like.
Most of our efforts over the past year have been focused on getting a National Convention off the ground. This is not, as I have said before, a Constitutional Convention (yet), but rather a gathering of representatives of Scottish organisations and people, meeting on a regular basis (hopefully quarterly) around Scotland to discuss major issues affecting the future of the country. After a very successful planning assembly in Stirling in February this year, St Andrew’s Day, the 30th November, was chosen to host our inaugural meeting of the National Convention in the Greyfriars Charteris Centre in Edinburgh. A provisional programme is being developed for the day by a Project Planning Team which is working hard on delivering a successful convention.
In addition to the above, the Forum has a bespoke website set up; thanks especially to John Hutchison and Carole Inglis for that. You will find more about IFS and National Convention activities there, at independenceforum.scot. And thanks to William Duguid , we have established a regular newsletter to inform and keep members up to date.
Lastly, Carole Inglis has carried out a survey of members’ views on the various activities of the IFS. One thing is very clear: the membership, and no doubt the wider movement, expects us to work much harder towards uniting the movement. I have asked Carole to go over the findings.
It remains for me to thank those in the Forum who have contributed their time and expertise to make progress on this enterprise. If I can mention a few: John Brown has been indefatigable in his work, and keeping us on the right track, John Hutchison for his constitutional expertise, diplomacy and website involvement and Carole Inglis, as Vice Convener, for sharing chairing duties, survey and communications.
I believe our network of member organisations is ready to move forward building contacts with an ever-widening range of people and groups who are looking at all aspects of our future, including governance and economic management, and the putting in place of structures for a wholly self-governing country, ready to go when the people vote for it.
Ian S Grant July 2024
