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And let’s roll


An election is a funny thing, be that a general, local or leadership election. They are all a lot of work, a lot of action and a lot of time.

It weighs heaviest on those who take part as volunteers. You see the volunteers are not paid. They have no real skin in the game other than the love for the activity they’re partaking in. These people sacrifice many many hours of personal and home life in the pursuit of a dream that is bigger than they are, in the pursuit of a country that is better, and more in line with the vision they have for the future.

However, it does not come without a cost. It does need to be said that the volunteers of any election do so with great personal sacrifice. The sacrifice of time, effort and missed opportunities from those special moments that you enjoy, just by being around people you love.

It is with that note, that we mention this blog has taken some personal time from some of the core contributors, following the SNP leadership election. 

It is also the case that Scottish politics has been such a rollercoaster in the last little while it has been difficult to stay up-to-date and up-to-the-minute, leaving us unable to provide a contribution that meets the high bar we set.

We do live in exciting times and politics does move at high speed. However, it is now time the story continues and our contributions once again increase, we begin looking at the next chapters of what will be – the delivery of Scottish independence. 

Thank you ever so much to all of our loyal support. Let’s roll. 

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Articles Vive Updates

ViveEcosse at All Under One Banner Glasgow

https://youtu.be/uyvx3CJQsxc

We are Vive Ecosse – our mission is to help crowdplatform the contributors to Scotland’s future.

It is good to be here today talking about Independence.

This is normal. This is what normal nations do.

They talk about how about their future, their hopes and their dreams.

What is not normal is the pantomime we see down south.

Kings, Queens, and palaces made of gold – when poverty and precariousness scars our daily lives across society.

There is a proud history in Glasgow of standing up to those who stand averse the values we hold dear.

When we talk of empires and injustice we do not need to look far to see the rebellion of thought in our people who call this place home.

This week we celebrated ‘May the 4th’ be with you, a celebration of the rebel cause in Star Wars.

It gives a moment to think back to Scotland’s last national conversation, and chuckle.

In 2014 the great train was sent north with the members of UK parliament – who were welcomed by the famous rickshaw.

“Bow down to your imperial masters – the empire has arrived” he bellowed.

It was hilarious then and it’s still hilarious now.

So much so – we brought our lightsabers just in case!

The point is this though.

While the UK powers on with a failed Brexit, failed economic argument, and a failed outlook for the future.

We must look to the one aspirational light in the sky. The light of independence.

Independence is now the safe choice.

Independence is the only choice that will economically and financially improve our country.

Independence is the only solution to the societal problems we face.

It was said in 2014 when Alex Salmond stood down, that was the end, support would fall.

It was said in 2022 when the Supreme Court case was lost, that was the end, support would fall.

It was said in 2023 when Nicola Sturgeon stood down, that was the end, support would fall.

And yet here we are today.

And support has not fallen.

The answer never was and never will be – politicians.

The answer has always been the people.

The problem we face now is that we need to focus.

We need to build forward, ahead of the politicians and tell them to follow us.

The days of arguing on social media are over.

The days of what hat are you wearing and what club are you in are done.

Everyone is a contributor on this journey.

Everyone must advance the case.

Take the time you have, take the time you can.

Focus on a topic you feel passionate about.

Do the research, then write a document.

Take that document and share it. Everyone must share their work.

Elevate ourselves from saying “oh but thats rubbish” and improve it or write something better.

Ask your friends their fears and concerns. Ask them to tell you why they aren’tyet convinced to YES.

Then help build the documents and the arguments that solve that problem.

We have no opposition – we have a boundless future to write.

Every time the unionists point out a flaw, or a concern, or a soundbite – they do us a favour.

It gives us the opportunity to improve the plan. To make the ship watertight.

We need to embrace our critical friends.

We need to have a wider door and a longer table.

We need to build the prospectus together.

None of this needs massive organisations, none of this needs political parties, none of this needs any guidance from those in power.

The truth is the People are who the Politicians fear.

The people are where the ideas are born.

The people are who dream.

The people are who make the demands.

So today – invite the politicians to follow you.

Support and celebrate those who go home and start writing.

Iterate and build on ideas. Improve them with the power of your contribution.

The ideas of tomorrow will be written today.

The future is not yet written, it’s always been in our hands, so pic up your pen, keyboard or mic.

Take control. Make a stand. Write your own future.

The first words spoken after the French Revolution were Vive La France, may our first words of a Scottish Independent Nation be Vive L’Ecosse!

Those who dare to dream, plan and deliver a better future are as one.

We are dauntless, brave, and loyal, – valiant to the end.

If you come here a stranger, you will exit as a friend.

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Chain of Freedom Scotland

Independence doesn’t bring about itself – you need to go out and demonstrate that there’s not just a hunger for if, but there is an active and vibrant demand.

That’s what we’re going to do with the ‘Chain of Freedom Scotland’.

Inspired by the Baltic Way,

A peaceful political demonstration which took place on 23 August 1989 when approximately two million people joined their hands forming a 600 km long human chain through the Baltic countries, thus demonstrating their unity in their efforts towards freedom.

https://www.thebalticway.eu/en/history/
Photo: P. Šķiņķis

Across sixty six miles of Scotland we are going to split into 11 groups – run by each of the Yes/Indy groups.

In each of those 11 groups, we’re going to split into one mile chain links. Inside those links you’ll be able to see the person along from you and it’ll be up to participants how they want to demonstrate support for Scottish Independence.

For some that will be playing your bagpipe to your neighbour, for others that will be taking pictures and sharing on social media. However the important thing is that we turn out and show that the movement is alive and full of the passions of the nation.

In the short space since the idea was born, there are already over nine thousand members in the group – and that’s before we’ve even a got close to the date!

There’s still time for groups to get involved for their local area and there’s more than enough time for individuals to get registered to take part.

It really does need the whole Indy family to turn up and show the world – that Scotland’s people want their independence.

Find out more about Chain of Freedom

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For the love of EFTA

Last night was the penultimate debate of the SNP Leadership candidates. However we are geeks and we love a bit of policy detail, so let us explore it.

Humza Yousaf made this claim to Ash Regan:

So you have backed EFTA over EU membership which is not of course backed by our membership.

Humza Yousaf – https://twitter.com/indyscotnews/status/1637913435751972872

However it’s worth pointing out, on page 39 of Scotland’s Place in Europe, a document authored and prologued in Nicola Sturgeons name, this is exactly the position that was set out.

https://www.gov.scot/binaries/content/documents/govscot/publications/corporate-report/2016/12/scotlands-place-europe/documents/00512073-pdf/00512073-pdf/govscot%3Adocument/00512073.pdf

A bit of a #HumdingerForHumza there.

There are many benefits to EFTA, such as rather quick acceptance – you only need the current 4 countries of Iceland 🇮🇸 , Liechtenstein 🇱🇮 , Norway 🇳🇴 and Switzerland 🇨🇭 to agree, and accept the rules of EFTA, that if you read the whole 62 document of the Scottish Government, we essentially do anyway.

Iceland 🇮🇸 is the closest analogue that applied in November 1968 and became active in January 1970 in EFTA. A year and one month.

Usefully Scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 would have a two year transition to independence, which would be more than enough time, especially following the digital revolution since the 70s. Scotland also has the benefit of being nearly fully aligned already.

What does EFTA not include?
– Common Agricultural Policy
– Common Fisheries Policy
– Customs Union
– Foreign affairs or Security Policy
– Justice
– Monetary Union

So essentially – the controversial bits in Scotland – are already exempt from any effect of joining. Scotland can maintain its own fisheries and agricultural policy, which may be of some advantage versus EU membership.

Annual contribution would be around £10m from looking at the payments made by the current members and it’s worth noting – Austria 🇦🇹 , Finland 🇫🇮 and Sweden 🇸🇪 were all members of EFTA that later transitioned to being EU members.

It seems like a good idea.

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Podcast: Latest updates on SNP Leadership Election

https://youtu.be/FMBXRcYRSXI

Update on the SNP Leadership Election – Latest news – Liz Lloyd, Peter Murrell, John Swinney, and Murray Foote resign – What happens next?

Available on Apple, Google, Spotify, Amazon via: https://anchor.fm/vive-ecosse