Independence 1st - Why we support Independence First

Why we support Independence First

"Please add my name to the list of supporters for an independence referendum. I want to see an independent socialist republic - independence as a step to that will be progressive. As far as I'm concerned, the most effective thing we can do to help the cause for socialism the world over is to achieve as much as we can here in solidarity with struggles all over the world." Carolyn Leckie MSP (Scottish Socialist Party)

"Independence is about putting power back in the hands of the people of Scotland. Only then will Scots be better able to use our natural resources wisely, to build national wealth more quickly and, as a result, to create a more prosperous and more compassionate society. The job of politicians is to prepare Scotland for such change as well as help Scotland to achieve it and every organisation that helps Scotland to understand the benefits of independence should be welcomed and supported." Michael Russell (Scottish National Party)

“Scotland is a nation state. We owe it to all the generations of Scots yet unborn to deliver a heritage of freedom, of pride, of self determination. For many generations Scots have strived to create the independence that our nation rightly deserves. Let us be the generation to deliver that freedom -and those Scots to come can grow without the burden that weighs so heavily on our shoulders and stops us taking our rightful place, with our flag flying as an equal amongst the other nations of this planet. I therefore support the Independence First campaign and wish it every success.” David R Ross (Historian)

“Independence First is yet another manifestation of the desire within Scotland to re-take our independence and become, once again, a normal nation. However, the organisations creation is also evidence that many pro-independence Scots are becoming increasingly frustrated at the pace of our nation’s move towards independence. Many Scots see the benefits of an independent Scotland but don’t see politicians making sufficient progress towards achieving that goal. Independence First shows that pro-independence Scots are not necessarily members of one or of any political party and that, in pursuit of the main prize, we must all work together to deliver independence in the shortest possible time. Independence First can only help in that fight and I welcome its creation and offer it my support.” Campbell Martin MSP (Independent)

"As a socialist I believe passionately in genuine democracy and the right of nations to self-determination. My party’s vision is of an independent socialist Scotland but we absolutely endorse and promote the right of citizens in Scotland to democratically decide now via a referendum if they wish an independent country. I see the British imperial union as a reactionary barrier to social progress and want that British union dismantled to encourage progressive and democratic ideas to flourish in the individual entities of Scotland, England and Wales. The campaign for an independence referendum deserves support from all socialists and democrats alike.” Tommy Sheridan MSP (Solidarity - Scotlands Socialist Movement)

"Independence First is asking for a referendum on Independence for Scotland, something that all nationalists of whatever party or none should be able to unite behind. If Unionists are so sure of their case maybe they should be behind this referendum too. Many polls show that there are big percentages of voters for Unionist parties who favour an Independent Scotland. In the same way that Unionist parties united under the Scottish Constitutional Convention to push for the devolved parliament in Edinburgh, nationalist political parties should unite under the Independence First banner to promote a referendum on Independence." Brian Nugent (Free Scotland Party)

“Scottish Independence should be the first priority of everyone in Scotland who believes in bringing democracy closer to the people. Westminster has always been a remote, autocratic, medieval, and essentially anti-democratic Parliament that has never reflected in any shape or form the views or hopes of the majority of people living in Scotland. The break up of the British state into four democratic republics living at peace with each other, and the rest of the world, is long overdue. I’d like to offer my full support to Independence First and encourage others to join as a member and take part in the most important political cause of our lifetime.” Kevin Williamson (Author and Publisher)

"I'm happy to get behind anything that advances the cause of Scottish independence. I definitely support this grass roots movement in their demand for a referendum on independence." Sandra White MSP (Scottish National Party)

“For me, independence is about creating a democratic space for the people of Scotland. Without that space we can achieve nothing and therefore independence must be the first priority of everyone who has any interest in Scotland’s future, no matter what their political views are. Independence First is the best chance of uniting everyone in the independence movement around one simple objective, getting a referendum and winning it and proving that Scotland does want normal national status." Lloyd Quinan (Scottish Socialist Party)

“Scotland was not brought into the Act of Union by choice, but by corruption. The rioting that followed showed clearly what the ordinary Scot thought of the British Union. In 300 years the voice of the Scots remains unheard, the Act of Union has never been verified by popular vote. Now, as we approach the 300th anniversary surely it must be time for that democratic deficit to be rectified. It is for this reason that I support the Independence First campaign for a referendum, it is for this reason that all Scots who believe in democracy (whether or not they believe in Independence) should support this basic democratic demand. After 300 years - it is time for the people to have their say.” Dr Bill Wilson (Scottish National Party)

"This is a cause that the Scottish Green Party has long supported, and one of the reasons for our friendly separation from the English and Welsh Green Party was to campaign for a Scottish Parliament. Our vision is for independence for Scotland, when the people of Scotland choose it, as a part of a process of decentralisation and democratisation. We applaud the commitment of Independence First to work on a cross-party basis, involving those from all parties and none. As a party that supports independence without being nationalist, we believe that the only way to take constitutional change forward is to work in this way." Shiona Baird MSP (Scottish Green Party)

“I do support the holding of a referendum on Independence as the Scottish people have never had the opportunity to express their opinion on this option." Stewart Maxwell MSP (Scottish National Party)

"To build a Scotland that's free from poverty, racism, militarism, nuclear weapons and environmental degradation, we need first to liberate Scotland from the Anglo-British state. The campaign to allow the people of Scotland of decide their own future via a referendum deserves the support of all progressive people, not just in Scotland, but throughout the UK." Alan Mccombes (Scottish Socialist Party)

"In an era when politics appears increasingly to be a murky mess of double-dealing, equivocation, trivial but pernicious party-political intrigue, and veiled but nonetheless lickspittle subservience to the interests of the multinational corporations at the expense of the poor, it is refreshing to see such a clear and simple demand, and heartening to view the cross-party support." R. Eric Swanepoel (Author)

"The Scottish Independence Party fully supports the Independence First campaign. Independence First can be a great vehicle for uniting all pro-independence supporters regardless of their other views into one powerful voice focused on a clear, democratic and reasonable goal." Josey Rowan (Scottish Independence Party)

"Thank you for attending our National Council meeting... we found ourselves in complete agreement with your aims and greatly heartened to know that so many in Scotland are coming forward to support and work for the principle of Scottish Independence. We, therefore give our full support to the aims of Independence First - as we do to the Independence Convention - and are prepared to participate and help in any way we can." Eric Canning (Communist Party of Scotland)

"I am thoroughly behind the referendum campaign, even though I would still have described myself in 1999 as a confederalist, Scotland-England as some sort of Austria-Hungary. But federalism hasn’t even been sniffed at in the last seven years and Downing Street hasn’t a clue what confederalism means. Brown’s economy is going to bomb and we have to be ready to get out while we still have the oil as a picture card. If we build up a sufficient head of steam from now on we WILL get out; which will be good news for the English as well." Prof. Christopher Harvie (Scottish National Party)

"Regards from Montenegro to our Scottish brothers! I hope that your struggle for independence will have a successful result and that Scotland will be the next after Montenegro to get its independence! I was once only, one weekend in Scotland two years ago but it inspired me very much. I wrote to many people inspired by what I felt and what I have seen, a really beautiful country. Hope to see some of you in Montenegro soon." Gordan Stojovic (Writer, Montenegro)

"In 1916 James Connolly, a boy from the Cowgate in Edinburgh realised a last chance for Independance was presenting itself to the Irish people. He knew how important it was to seize the opportunity as events can overtake you and timing is everything. By his actions and those of his friends (who came from all creeds and classes and political persuasion) he went on to secure the rights and priviledges existant in modern Ireland. Scotland may not be in O'Caseys words "rotten ripe for rebellion" but the quiet tartan revoultion is gaining momentum and through Independance First the Scottish people can begin to seize the moment and take their place again amongst the nations where their enlighten voice, good humour and moral courage is so badly needed." Adrian Dunbar (Actor)

Please email our press officer if you would like to send a personal message of support to the campaign.

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