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1) Long thread. I've found the reaction to the new ISP fascinating. Before I get into it let me just say, I'm a supporter of Scottish Independence, and I have no particular loyalties beyond that. I vote SNP but I am not an ardent fan and there is a lot they have done that
2) I don't actually agree with, but, they at least, have Scotland as a priority. Now, with that in mind I've been thinking about the ISP. I've read their website and I like a good few of the things they say (others I'm less keen on) however I don't have nearly enough information
3) on their policies for me to determine whether or not I would consider voting for them. I'll wait for the manifesto to decide that. What really interests me is the reaction to them. Like many others I share a sense of frustration with the SNP right now. We keep being told
4) 'there is another way' but when pressed on how they plan to deliver independence - specifically another referendum - we get some really poor responses. Their plan for what to do if Westminster keeps saying no seems nonexistent and frankly, we need better than that.
5) Now, the concept of the ISP, to me, seems a good one. I have two fears though over their viability. First of all, I think it might be too close to the election for them to gain traction and secondly, I haven't been that impressed with how they are launching the party and how
6) they respond to feedback and questions. I know they're not professional politicians however if they want to be elected we need to see a level of professionalism that promotes confidence that they would be good and trustworthy representatives for those voting for them. I am by
7) no means ruling out the possibility of voting for them, but personally, I'll need to see a lot more from them before I could decide to vote for them. Now, moving on to the reaction to them. As I've said before I like the concept of additional pro-independence parties. I've
8) thought for a long time that we need them. Firstly to break completely with the union I think we need rid of the political machinery which existed in the union. Scotland needs a fresh start and new political parties, spanning the whole spectrum of political thought from left
9) to right and I don't see why we need to wait for independence to start building that system. Secondly, while I appreciate much of what the SNP has done - and certainly I'm glad they've been in power in recent years compared to any of the alternatives - I also worry that we are
10) in danger of falling into the fallacy that SNP policy is automatically what an independent Scotland should look like. The SNP are welcome to their opinion and to campaign on how they see an independent Scotland BUT decisions on issues like the monarchy, EU membership,
11) currency, Nato membership, etc, etc, etc are not actually theirs to make. To be fair I don't actually think that many in the SNP think that - though I get the feeling some do - but I do think they are allowing the Unionist media to present it that way and it's being used as
12) a weapon against Independence. The SNP do not appeal to everyone, I suspect there are many soft no voters who simply do not trust the SNP or who disagree with their agenda beyond Independence. As someone who does not like several SNP policies, I understand that feeling.
13) and I'll be honest, if there was another viable option to vote for I'd be voting for them. (No, I don't count the Greens as viable). Where I worry about the ISP is that they seem to have been set up because they oppose SNP policies rather than because they wish to build
14) an alternate view of an independent Scotland. I'll certainly give them a chance, but I do have doubts. I also find the reaction to their plan to stand on the List baffling. The charge I've seen from to many SNP supporters is that it's 'gaming' the system. Electing a party
15) who's main policy might be in agreement with the SNP but who vehemently oppose other policies the SNP hold is not 'gaming' any systems, it's representative politics. It's the most ridiculous argument I've heard against the ISP.
16) I'm also perturbed by the number of attacks on the ISP which claim that it's endangering independence by threatening to take support away from the SNP.....erm, if enough people don't want to vote for the SNP because of any other policies they have besides independence that
17) it resulted in other political parties gaining seats then I would say it's the SNP endangering Independence by following additional policies that many of its supporters feel they cannot support or are actively opposed to. The SNP may not like it, but there it is. They cannot
18) simply say ' you'll endanger independence ' if you don't vote for us and then push unpopular policies by saying 'it was in the manifesto' when people raise objections. (which I've seen happen) Of course, people will start looking elsewhere. And yes, I'm aware of the issue
19) behind all of this. I'm not opposed to the SNP's stand on it, though the Hate Crimes Bill is causing me some problems, but I also understand the issues those who are opposed have. Because I don't disagree with a policy doesn't mean that I don't
20) understand those that do (given that there are other SNP policies I strongly oppose) and understand what failure to face that opposition constructively can lead to. Better list votes go to another independence supporting party than back to unionists at the very least.
21) I don't know whether the new ISP is a good idea or not. But I'm not opposed to listening to their arguments, reading their manifesto, and considering what they have to say. I do know, however, that we need SOMETHING to move the independence movement forward.
