Latest news with #HumzaYousaf
The National
2 days ago
- Politics
- The National
The 2-stage plan to break Scotland free and bypass Holyrood
Renton, 28 — described by Buzzfeed in 2014 as the "pro-independence Scottish teenager more popular on Facebook than the Labour Party" — is explaining his latest project. He, along with a handful of other activists, are spreading the word about the latest independence project by word-of-mouth and online, "the People's Constitution of Scotland". "I've voted SNP my whole life and I will continue to do so, but recently it's not just me, it's everybody – just seems to be a bit irritated. A bit antsy," he explains. Renton believes "nothing seems to be happening," and explains his upset at the moves made by both former first minister Humza Yousaf and current First Minister John Swinney. "The campaign has never really been restarted. The grassroots seem to be completely splintered. There are all these different groups – Liberation Scotland and Salvo, who are away to the UN. And I don't really see that doing anything. It happened before ," he says. He is referring to the attempts of Liberation Scotland and Salvo to have Scotland 'decolonised' by the United Nations. A Scotland-UN delegation previously visited the UN Commission on Human Rights in Geneva in 1980. Renton adds: "They actually had binders put in front of them in New York to ask about if they would consider Scotland to be colonised, but nothing ever happened. So this is your answer to it." READ MORE: Dress of Scottish noblewoman who made daring escape after Culloden at auction Renton has set up a website for the public to be involved in writing Scotland's draft constitution and in time, create a preliminary national assembly – a gathering of the people to carry the constitution forward and give it democratic strength. Renton and the group of activists are inviting everyone to join in with creating the constitution, adding: "It isn't optional, it's imperative that it's the people that do this. I'm looking for nationwide contributions and then we will pull together a constitutional convention across the country." The precedent "Everybody floats the Claim of Right all the time – but it is a legitimate thing. The Scottish people are sovereign in Scotland," Renton says and points to MacCormick against Lord Advocate. The case – perhaps the most famous constitutional case in Scottish legal history – saw John MacCormick (below), chairman of the Scottish Covenant Association and Rector of Glasgow University, and Ian Hamilton, one of the four who returned the Stone of Destiny to Scotland in 1954, request an interdict to prevent the UK Government from publishing any proclamation of a title including Elizabeth II. Renton, who is a full-time writer, notes: "The Lord President of the Court of Session, Lord Cooper, actually quoted that 'the principle of the unlimited sovereignty of Parliament is a distinctively English principle which has no counterpart in Scottish constitutional law'. "And that is when the Claim of Right was affirmed by MPs in Westminster, and again in Holyrood, and again recently in Westminster, stating that the people of Scotland have a right to choose whatever form of government they desire, and that the people are fundamentally sovereign. "So in Scotland, the people are not bound by devolution. Holyrood is bound by devolution. There's nothing they can do other than request another referendum. And it's never going to happen. Not now. They've made that clear." Renton sees activists, and all the different Yes groups across Scotland, still active but with no coherent strategy, and lots of different ideas. "We've been separated by party politics and government policy, but the main goal we should all be focusing on and uniting under is that of independence," he says. READ MORE: 'Cathartic': Indigenous Celtic heritage shines in Mairi Campbell's Fringe show "So the idea of a constitution is that the people, being sovereign, not bound by the shackles of devolution, are able to create this constitution. They're able to say, 'this is the Scotland that we want, this is the Scotland that we need as an independent state, this is what we want to see happening'." The group has written a draft and is asking people to read it and suggest edits, retractions and any other points they feel should be included. And once it's finished, it can be given to Holyrood. "We've done the groundwork, this is what the people want," Renton says, adding that they will tell MSPs, and then ask: "Why are we not moving forward?" 'Why don't we create a preliminary people's assembly?' The second stage of Renton's plan comes after the constitution is in place. He wants to create a "completely unofficial" people's assembly made up of the best minds, academics and leaders from all across Scotland, with Yes groups and "your average Joe". "In preparation for independence, pull the grassroots movement back together, reunite everybody," he says. "We'll have a constitution, and if the party – the SNP, Holyrood – tries and tries every single option, then the next option would be for the people to make moves for the people: a people's assembly run by the people, not bound by the shackles of devolution. "We're prisoners in our own land. The people's assembly, with enough backing by the public – with campaign grassroots movements, lectures across the country by the best brains – again, this is after the Holyrood election – can go to Westminster and say, 'Holyrood is bound by these shackles, but we are not. We have created a people's assembly. We have the founding documents. If you're not willing to negotiate with Holyrood, then you can negotiate with us'. "And that is, in my mind, the only way forward unless Holyrood's willing to declare UDI [unilateral declaration of independence], which they're not and they never will be." However, the constitution is currently the focus. This all depends on the political parties in Holyrood gaining a pro-independence majority in 2026, Renton knows. If they don't, he adds, "the vehicle for independence is gone". I ask Renton, being a pessimist, how does he continue to have hope and drive to create this project? And how can the movement, tired and beat up, find that energy again to believe and assist in the project? "There are very few things left that push me along," he laughs. "I've got two kids, I love my kids to bits — they keep me going. "But the only other thing that keeps me going is my love for this country and my desire to see it unbounded from those shackles, to see an independent Scotland. "And it doesn't matter how it happens – whether it's through Holyrood, Westminster or the will of the people – I just want to see it happen. And if it means I have to put my own time into doing it, then that's fine. "I really created this in hopes that everybody would get involved, everybody would want to be a part of it, and then I could hand it over to everybody else. "I have no desire to front anything anymore. I just wanted to get the wheels in motion so that the country can pull behind it and make it happen." Scots can get involved here with the project.
The Herald Scotland
4 days ago
- Politics
- The Herald Scotland
Kate Forbes denies she is anti-trans amid protest fears
Ms Forbes faced significant criticism during the 2023 leadership against Humza Yousaf. She is a member of the Free Church of Scotland and said she would not have backed same-sex marriage if she had been an MSP at the time of the 2014 vote. Ms Forbes, who is standing down in May, also said she would not have backed the Scottish Government's Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill had she not been on maternity leave. There had been threats of protest at Ms Forbes appearance ahead of the Unspun Live event at the Dissection Room at Summerhall. Management at the Edinburgh venue had been urged to cancel the Deputy First Minister's appearance. She was asked about the concerns on the night. Read more: She said: Ms Forbes hit back and was applauded by the crowd as she said: 'These issues have been well documented and can I just say how brilliant it is that we still have freedom of speech in this country. 'One of the antidotes to that hatred in talked about earlier is to create spaces where people can openly, without fear, count on respect from one another.' She added: "My approach is to respect the fact and to appreciate the fact that a lot of people disagree with me. "It is a reflection of a healthy democracy that people both agree with me and disagree with me. 'I am not anti any human being. I am taught to love my neighbour as myself which is to give them greater respect, greater honour, greater appreciation than I would expect for myself.' Ms Forbes was on maternity leave during the vote for the Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill - which was subsequently blocked by the UK Government - however she has said she would have voted against it. She was not in parliament in 2014 during the same-sex marriage vote, however she said she would have voted against it, The Deputy First Minister was also asked about comments from Professor Sir John Curtice who said on Monday it was 'most unlikely' that the SNP would secure a majority at next year's election. Ms Forbes said her standing down would not hinder the party. She said First Minister John Swinney had made 'significant' sacrifices in standing for SNP leadership. 'I have really enjoyed working with him over the last year and a bit,' she said, adding she looks forward to supporting him over the coming years. Addressing Mr Curtice's concerns, she said: 'I think the SNP stands a very good chance at the nect election to deliver a significant majority of seats.' She also said suggestions that former SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford would be running to replace her should be taken with a "huge dose of salt". Ms Forbes added that the question of her successor becomes an issue for local party members. 'I do think it needs to be a healthy competition and certainly he hasn't told me that,' she added. Asked if she was likely to vote for the former Westminster leader, who was ousted by current incumbent Stephen Flynn, to fill her seat, Ms Forbes refused to be drawn, saying instead that she would wait to see who the candidates were. The deputy First Minister also dodged a question on who would be the next leader of the SNP in her absence.
Telegraph
7 days ago
- Politics
- Telegraph
The SNP has just lost their most effective candidate for independence
She says her decision not to stand for re-election next year is for domestic reasons and her desire to see more of her family. This means, sadly, in a Parliament not exactly stuffed with talent, there is no doubt that Kate Forbes will be much missed. Scotland's Deputy First Minister is one of the few talents – perhaps the only one – on that lacklustre SNP front bench. And if it really was a party with genuine ambitions and a determination to do the best for their country, it would have elected her in 2023 when she stood as a candidate for the vacancy caused by Nicola Sturgeon's resignation. That was the opportunity for the SNP to put Sturgeon's egotistical madness and her determination to become an international figure behind it and elect someone with a fresh outlook on the genuine priorities of Scottish people. Issues such as the appalling gap in educational standards between rich and poor Scots, the shocking NHS waiting times, and Europe's worst drug death record. But there wasn't really much of a chance of her party electing her. They knew she was the best candidate, with a stack of academic achievements and a genuine appeal to a wide cross-section of Scottish society. But as the voting system was announced, and after Sturgeon made it plain that she wanted her disciple Humza Yousaf as her successor, the die was cast. And just to rub salt in the wound, no sooner had Yousaf been sworn in as First Minister than he offered Forbes the post of rural affairs minister that she was quick to reject – it was a significant demotion from her the post as finance minister. But many SNP members had another – and to my mind disreputable – reason for withholding their support for Forbes becoming SNP leader and First Minister of Scotland: her religious beliefs. She is a member of the Free Church of Scotland. As a result, many SNP members rejected her views on gay marriage, abortion and trans rights. And she was further criticised for saying that having children outside of marriage was 'wrong'. However, she insisted that she would have been 'haunted' had she not answered questions about her religious beliefs. Her defeat by Yousaf saw his continuation of the disastrous Sturgeon policy agenda, but when he resigned she declined to contest the leadership, leaving the way clear for John Swinney to be elected unopposed. However, she accepted Swinney's offer as Deputy First Minister but while he tried to unpick Sturgeon's unpopular legacy, her presence – and perhaps even influence – on the national political stage appeared to diminish. At this stage we're left with the public explanation for her decision not to contest next year's Scottish Parliament election, but an intelligent politician such as she has shown herself to be would surely have been able to see clearly how the land lies with her party. It is essentially returning to the bare bones of its political agenda, and has decided to focus its campaign next year almost entirely on independence. As Ms Forbes will understand, there's nothing else for the nationalists to try and 'sell' to the voters; certainly not its education and NHS policies. And there appears to be very little support for breaking up Britain in this troubled world. As is often the case in Scottish politics, Scottish Labour's deputy leader, Dame Jackie Baillie, summed up the situation best. In offering Kate Forbes her best wishes she added: 'Kate Forbes was the future once – but now, like many of her counterparts in the SNP, she can see the writing on the wall. The truth is this is a tired government with no vision and no ideas.'
Leader Live
04-08-2025
- Business
- Leader Live
Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes to stand down as MSP in 2026
The MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch said she does not wish to 'miss any more of the precious early years of family life'. She is one of the SNP's most significant politicians, having finished second in the 2023 leadership election, which saw Humza Yousaf succeed Nicola Sturgeon as party leader. When John Swinney became First Minister last year, he appointed Ms Forbes to his cabinet as his deputy, also taking charge of the Government's economy portfolio. In a statement shared on Monday, Ms Forbes said she had reflected over recess and decided not to run again in 2026. She said she had been 'privileged' to serve her various roles in government. Ms Forbes said: 'I remain wholly supportive of the First Minister just as when I backed him to be leader of the SNP and I look forward to campaigning for the SNP at the next election – to lead Scotland to independence. 'I was first elected in my mid-20s, dedicating my most formative adult years to public service. In that time, I presented multiple budgets, supported thousands of businesses and workers during Covid-19 and launched Scotland's most ambitious business start up network TechScaler. 'I now wish to step back from my public duties and focus on new opportunities to serve people. 'I have grown up in the public eye, getting married, having a baby and raising a young family. 'I have consistently put the public's needs ahead of my family's during that time. I am grateful to them for accommodating the heavy demands of being a political figure. 'Looking ahead to the future, I do not want to miss any more of the precious early years of family life – which can never be rewound.' The First Minister wrote back to Ms Forbes, saying he understood her decision and thanking her for her contributions. Mr Swinney said: ''You have made a huge contribution to public life in Scotland and have been instrumental in making progress on economic issues for my Government. 'You have much to be proud of in all of the work you have undertaken but I am especially heartened by the effect of your leadership on advancing support for the Gaelic language. 'We all wrestle with the inevitable conflicts between family and public life and I sympathise with the dilemmas you have faced. 'I wish you, Ali and your family well and much happiness in the years ahead.' Scottish Labour's deputy leader Jackie Baillie said she wished Ms Forbes well, but said she was part of a 'tired government with no vision'. She said: 'It is a great honour for us all to represent our constituents in Parliament, and I am sure that those living in Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch will be grateful for her work during that time. 'Of course, as much as being an MSP is a privilege, it is also a demanding job which can make for a difficult balance between our working and personal lives.' She added: 'But it cannot have escaped the notice of voters that many of the SNP's former rising stars are abandoning the stage, often to be replaced by defeated names of yesteryears and anonymous party apparatchiks.'
South Wales Guardian
04-08-2025
- Business
- South Wales Guardian
Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes to stand down as MSP in 2026
The MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch said she does not wish to 'miss any more of the precious early years of family life'. She is one of the SNP's most significant politicians, having finished second in the 2023 leadership election, which saw Humza Yousaf succeed Nicola Sturgeon as party leader. When John Swinney became First Minister last year, he appointed Ms Forbes to his cabinet as his deputy, also taking charge of the Government's economy portfolio. In a statement shared on Monday, Ms Forbes said she had reflected over recess and decided not to run again in 2026. She said she had been 'privileged' to serve her various roles in government. Ms Forbes said: 'I remain wholly supportive of the First Minister just as when I backed him to be leader of the SNP and I look forward to campaigning for the SNP at the next election – to lead Scotland to independence. 'I was first elected in my mid-20s, dedicating my most formative adult years to public service. In that time, I presented multiple budgets, supported thousands of businesses and workers during Covid-19 and launched Scotland's most ambitious business start up network TechScaler. 'I now wish to step back from my public duties and focus on new opportunities to serve people. 'I have grown up in the public eye, getting married, having a baby and raising a young family. 'I have consistently put the public's needs ahead of my family's during that time. I am grateful to them for accommodating the heavy demands of being a political figure. 'Looking ahead to the future, I do not want to miss any more of the precious early years of family life – which can never be rewound.' The First Minister wrote back to Ms Forbes, saying he understood her decision and thanking her for her contributions. Mr Swinney said: ''You have made a huge contribution to public life in Scotland and have been instrumental in making progress on economic issues for my Government. 'You have much to be proud of in all of the work you have undertaken but I am especially heartened by the effect of your leadership on advancing support for the Gaelic language. 'We all wrestle with the inevitable conflicts between family and public life and I sympathise with the dilemmas you have faced. 'I wish you, Ali and your family well and much happiness in the years ahead.'
