The Scottish Green Party has adopted a new independence strategy aimed at building majority public support and forcing Westminster to recognise Scotland’s right to self determination.
The strategy was proposed by party co leaders Ross Greer and Gillian Mackay, and sets out a three part plan focused on action rather than process.
At its core, the strategy argues that the strongest case for independence is made by using the powers Holyrood already has to improve people’s lives.
The Greens say the Scottish Government could do far more now to reduce bills, redistribute wealth and power, and protect the environment, demonstrating the benefits of self government in practice.
One example highlighted is the need to scrap and replace the Council Tax system to address funding pressures facing schools and social care.
The second strand of the strategy calls for bold action in areas where powers sit in a grey area between Holyrood and Westminster.
In these cases, the Greens argue Scotland should act first and force Westminster to decide whether it will intervene to block popular measures.
The strategy points to previous success where Green MSPs helped secure higher wages by making payment of the real Living Wage a condition of receiving Scottish Government grants or contracts.
That policy was delivered despite warnings it lay outside devolved powers and would be vetoed by Westminster.
The Greens say similar action could now be taken to improve working conditions, tackle the cost of living and protect the environment.
The third part of the strategy focuses on demanding further devolution where Holyrood clearly lacks the powers needed to act.
This includes making formal requests for powers that would allow Scotland to help people save money, protect the planet and tax the super rich.
The party argues that granting such powers would prove the value of decisions being made in Scotland, while refusal by Westminster would strengthen the case for independence.
Overall, the strategy aims to connect independence directly to the everyday issues people are facing, particularly the cost of living crisis.
Ross Greer said the independence movement must shift its focus.
“The best way to build support for independence is by making full use of the powers Scotland’s Parliament already has to improve people’s lives, help them save money and protect our planet.
“That will inevitably mean picking a fight with Westminster when they stand in the way of our efforts.
“The independence movement has focused too much on process and not enough on the positive case for putting Scotland’s future in Scotland’s hands.”
He said Holyrood’s inability to hold a referendum remains deeply undemocratic.
“It is an anti democratic outrage that Scotland’s Parliament cannot give people a choice on our future.
“But we need to focus on the levers within our control which will bring independence closer by growing public support to a level Westminster cannot ignore.”
Greer said the Greens’ Living Wage policy showed what is possible.
“When we were told we couldn’t deliver a real Living Wage for Scottish Government contractors, we proved those naysayers wrong.
“With a chaotic Labour government mimicking Farage and Reform, and the real prospect of a far right UK government Scotland did not vote for, independence has never been more vital.”
