For some time I've been impressed by the work of the Scottish Democratic Alliance (SDA). Those involved seem attuned to what's being said in living rooms and pubs and they have had, for some time, comprehensive policies on the EU and defence - being just two - publicly available online. They have always been open to communications with the SNP because their aim is also independence.
The SDA, along with the more astute political watchers, realise that Scotland will never be the same from last Wednesday, when Alex Salmond launched the referendum consultation. Last Wednesday changed the future of Scotland forever.
The launch itself didn't make much change to the political atmosphere in Scotland, but David Cameron's statement, a couple of days later, did. His message spelt out, clearly and distinctly, that if the people didn't vote Yes, Scotland would be put in mothballs for the foreseeable future.
Now the stakes have changed. David Cameron's statement is more concerning because he's creating a problem, so early in the debate, which could eventually have resolved itself in the next two and a half years. The problem is that the union is finished. His remark this weekend only goes to show he knows it too, but if the referendum produces a No vote, then Scotland will suffer directly from London rule. That's the nature of the beast - the winner takes it all.
Back to the SDA. Last week they announced that one of their members would be standing as a candidate for Leith in the May local elections. Immediately some SNP supporters accused them of 'splitting the vote'. Such narrow-mindedness is upsetting. I see the SDA as a group of knowledgeable people with a clear vision of how an independent Scotland could achieve both social and financial stability. Their vision may not be everyone's favourite breakfast, but to insult their efforts is contemptible, particularly when so many haven't made any effort to understand their aims.
A member of the SDA gave his response on Facebook to those who are unable to realise that the SNP is not the only game in town aiming for independence. I do hope those who negatively objected to them nominating a candidate for the May council elections will take note and before they make foolish comments in future, take the opportunity to acquaint themselves with the SDA's policies. It disappoints me to think that so many believe Alex Salmond alone can deliver a Yes note in the autumn of 2014. As a supporter of independence I believe we need all the help we can get to achieve it.
The SDA have no intentions of splitting the independence vote. Like it or not there are many Scots who would support independence but for a variety of reasons will not support the SNP. A single candidate in a local authority will not detract from the support received by the SNP but it will provide a public awareness that will demonstrate that the SNP are not alone in the drive for independence. The awareness that there are other players who are developing policies for an independent Scotland will reassure voters and help swing them over to vote Yes in the referendum. Over a third of the voters are undecided and to win some of them over they need to be told what independence will mean for them. At present they don't know and the SNP do not appear to be in a position to tell them. We have made every policy and discussion paper we have researched available to the SNP and have not even received an acknowledgement. There are multiple unionist parties who will slowly get their acts together and the SNP will require help from the Greens, the SDA and others to win the referendum vote.
Robert Ingram (Facebook link)
Note: I am not a member of the SDA or any political party but I support Scotland being an independent nation.











