SNP's 2026 candidates 'ignore' Scottish independence campaigners

The National

a day ago

Yes Berwickshire sent a letter to every sitting MSP as well as every prospective candidate for the party on Monday, May 19, titled 'together for independence'.
The group believe 'a lot of Yes groups are raring to go but are looking for a lead', writing in the letter that there are 'thousands of us out here who are not SNP members but are passionate about Scotland's independence and are more than willing to lend a hand and work hard' as part of the 2026 campaign.
The group were invited to a recent Berwickshire SNP branch meeting and local candidate, John Redpath, is coming to the next Yes Berwickshire meeting.
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However, to date, just four sitting MSPs have replied to the "call for unity". From the list of 2026 candidates, just one other than Redpath has responded – after The National questioned them on their lack of reply.
One member of Yes Berwickshire said there was 'only one conclusion to be drawn".
'There's an arrogance about it to me to not even get a reply from so many folk – as if we don't have a contribution to make,' they added.
Yes Berwickshire has recently joined the coalition titled 'Liberate Scotland'.
Indy4Indy, ISP, Salvo, Scottish Sovereign Research Group, and Independence Forum Scotland have all signed up to come under the umbrella.
The letter sent to SNP MSPs and candidates states: 'As we are now less than 12 months until the 2026 Holyrood elections, we at Yes Berwickshire (YB) are gearing up to a period of much more regular activity in pursuit of Scottish independence.
"For the last 16 years YB have been active with street stalls, extensive leafleting, bridge events, letters to the local and national press and more general activity and support for the cause of independence. YB has some members from political parties, but most do not belong to any party but are passionate about fighting for independence.
'YB have approached the local SNP branch and intend also to contact Alba, the Greens, and any other organisation promoting independence in Berwickshire with a view to pooling our resources in the hope of creating a more cohesive and organised campaign in our area.
"With such a large and sparsely populated area, cutting down on double or treble campaign coverage by different parties seems a sensible way forward. We have had a very good response from the local SNP and joint meetings are proposed for the near future.
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'While we here hope to make progress for a united, co-ordinated and most importantly of all, effective, campaign here in Berwickshire there seems to be a marked reluctance by the SNP at national and Holyrood level to unite behind an all-encompassing campaign for independence – is this the case?
'It seems to us in Yes Berwickshire absolutely obvious that if we are to deliver an independence-supporting majority in large and un-challengeable numbers the first and most important thing, we need is a united, unified, co-ordinated and effective campaign. The most important of those characteristics is united – we need aw oor mitts tae the pump as they say.
'Is the SNP, nationally, willing to be part of, and indeed lead, that united campaign? There are thousands of us out here who are not SNP members but are passionate about Scotland's Independence and are more than willing to lend a hand and work hard for our independent, free at last, future.'
The SNP have been contacted for comment.