The SNP need a new people-first strategy to win in 2026

The National

16 hours ago

Then it all fell apart, culminating in the humiliating defeat in 2024's Westminster election, where 517,622 voters didn't vote for the SNP again! The post-2022 SNP autopsy has been dissected at length in these pages ever since.
In 2014, the young people voted overwhelmingly for a new sovereign Scotland – 11 years on, why are we not seeing this independence-minded generation breaking through into the ranks of the SNP at all levels?
Do the SNP believe Swinney can lead and win an election, despite how he has proven ineffective in every election he has led so far? I am not convinced that the Holyrood polling picture will play out as Professor John Curtice thinks. There is still at lot more SNP voter churn to come, as many independence voters just don't see the SNP as a vibrant independence party anymore, but an establishment party. There is very little that differentiates them from Tories or Labour when in power over a long period, other than being politically slightly left of centre.
The SNP governance message is not resonating with the voters, coupled with the Unionist media beating down or underplaying SNP welfare policies around child poverty or no strikes in the NHS. Even when the SNP compare their performance against that of England or the Labour-run Welsh assembly, it gets very little traction. The Unionist parties and the English-owned media keep beating the SNP up over the ferry fiasco, drug deaths, SNP finances scandal, women rights debacle and NHS performance, even though better than elsewhere in the UK, to undermine the governance message now that independence is off the menu, even though more than 50% of Scots want independence. We have seen even at council level in Scotland that the Unionist parties will work together to prevent the SNP having power, Reform – who are mostly disillusioned Tories – will be no friends to the SNP either.
Independence is a progressive movement that needs to be moving forward, the SNP leadership need to wake up to this fact and embrace a Scottish sovereignty convention as a matter of urgency. Why? If Keir Starmer called the SNP's bluff tomorrow (he is known for a U-turn or two!) allowing a second referendum in eight to 10 weeks' time, no chance of another year of divisive politics, the SNP and the country just wouldn't be prepared. For many undecided voters, balancing the risk of leaving the status quo and the unknown of a new place in the world is made more difficult without a clear plan and a lack of engagement – even the SNP's 13 'independence' papers/PDFs on the website didn't gain any traction with Scots because they were transactional and poorly publicised.
The main way to build momentum for a new sovereign Scotland is to engage with and publicise by talking to the people face to face in public community meetings across all of Scotland, presenting a positive future not only to the converted but to the undecided. This is where a convention wins over a single political party which the country has lost confidence in, especially among independence voters.
The plan confirms that we have nailed down what matters most to Scots, the NHS, welfare system, cost of living, energy poverty, pensions, jobs, currency, trade, borders/free movement as many have family ties across the UK, etc. Scots will want to know before removing the Unionist handcuffs and chains that we have a declaration of sovereignty to hand, there is consensus on or an agreed constitution ready and waiting, we have a hand-over plan for the transfer of the reserved UK Government departments – note the Scottish Government has not been particularly agile in setting up welfare systems handed over from the UK to date, never mind something as important as a treasury or defence.
Oh, by the way, after 300+ years since elected parliamentarians (not the Scottish voters in a referendum) last signed away our sovereignty, I think we should think again before giving it away again, this time to the EU. In the first instance, Scotland should adopt the Norwegian model of participating in the European Economic Area (EEA) and retaining our sovereignty.
A Wilson
Stirlingshire
YOUR article last week on the SNP's so-called 'strategy' heading into 2026 was an obituary. One that accidentally told the truth: the party has no concrete plan for achieving independence, no clear direction on key issues, no courage to challenge the status quo and no shame in its lack of progress.
More than a year into Swinney's leadership and we're still waiting for a vision. Not because he's strategising but because he's afraid. Afraid to lead, to challenge Westminster, to risk anything that might spark a constitutional crisis. The clock is ticking, and we can no longer afford to wait. The situation is dire and immediate action is necessary.
What are the rest of us doing? Nothing. Typing. Moaning. Waiting. The comment threads under every article are full of tired excuses and nervous loyalty. 'Be patient.' 'Trust the process.' 'Don't criticise – start your party.' That's not activism. That's servitude with hashtags.
This isn't a movement anymore. It's a funeral procession, dragging the corpse of 2014 behind it as if it still holds significance. And the saddest part? Nobody wants to admit what's needed.
Because here's the truth: you don't get independence by being well-behaved. You don't win freedom through stage-managed conferences, safe speeches and avoiding controversy. You win it by pushing the line. By risking consequences. By standing up when you're told to sit down – and refusing.
Where's the fire? The resistance? Who among our so-called leaders is willing to go to jail? Who's willing to break ranks? Who's willing to shut down the system that denies us? No one.
Could you compare that to the figures we remember? Ian Paisley didn't care if you hated him. Michael Collins didn't ask for permission. Gerry Adams – like it or not – gave speeches that made empires nervous. They stood on a hill, willing to die there.
Now look at John Swinney. Will anyone remember him? Of course not. Because he's not willing to die on a hill – he's not even willing to climb one. His legacy is 'managed decline with a smile'.
And here's the worst part: there's no one waiting in the wings to replace him. The absence of a strong, courageous leader is glaring, and it's high time someone steps up because nobody in modern Scottish politics is willing to do the unspeakable. To resist. To provoke. To act. To fight.
That's why we're stuck. Not because we lack a mandate. Not because of Westminster. But because nobody in power – or even most of the movement – is willing to pay the price for the future they claim to believe in. It's time for a new approach, a new mindset, a new wave of activism. We need a fresh perspective and a new generation of leaders who are ready to take the necessary steps for change.
When considering leaders like Adams or Paisley, we see individuals who embody a fierce commitment to their ideals and community. They don't merely manage situations; they actively fight for change. Their drive stems from a deep passion for their beliefs, demonstrating an unwavering determination to challenge the status quo.
In contrast, some leaders miss the mark, like Swinney, who tends to focus on maintaining peace rather than advocating for necessary action. While managing conflict is essential, authentic leadership requires a willingness to confront challenges boldly. Leaders like Adams and Paisley rally their followers with powerful narratives and a clear vision, igniting passion within their communities. We need leaders who are not afraid to take a stand and inspire others to follow.
Effective leadership is about instigating transformation, not just maintaining order. By fostering a sense of urgency and purpose, dynamic leaders ensure that their voices resonate. Swinney's approach often lacks the decisiveness needed to mobilise support for meaningful change. In contrast, passionate leaders create loyalty and motivation among their followers, inspiring them to pursue justice and social progress. It's this clarity of purpose and action that ultimately paves the way for a lasting and impactful legacy.
James Murphy
Bute
CRACKS in the graphite core of the Torness nuclear reactor in East Lothian, Scotland's last remaining nuclear power station, have risen to 585, the highest number ever, igniting fears of a nuclear meltdown and calls to shut it down.
During a March inspection, the 585 cracks were found in the bricks in Reactor 1's central core area, which are key components for cooling and keeping the reactor from melting down.
Torness is run by EDF, France's national energy company. It was scheduled to shut down in 2023 but in 2016, EDF extended its life to 2030.
The Ferret obtained documents released under FOI from the Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR), that the parlous state of the graphite core posed a 'significant challenge' to keep the plant operating safely over the next five years.
EDF insists that Torness is safe (and ONR seems to trust EDF). But EDF has every incentive to keep the plant humming along, generating profits for the French state.
Scotland's other nuclear power station at Hunterston B in North Ayrshire was shut down in January 2022, a year earlier than planned, following the discovery of 586 cracks in its two reactors. If Hunterston B was deemed too dangerous to continue operating, why isn't Torness?
The nuclear industry, through its lobby group Britain Remade, is trying to reverse Scotland's ban on new nuclear power. It's getting help from English Labour MPs in Scotland. The scandal-hit Douglas Alexander, Lothian East MP, is pimping for the industry.
Scotland possesses enormous renewable energy resources, as well as oil and gas. We don't want or need uneconomic and unsafe nuclear and should strongly resist English Labour's attempts to force it on to us.
Leah Gunn Barrett
Edinburgh
JUST a wee reminder that the Tour de France has begun, and more readers than you can imagine are cycling fans.
And you can hang a kilt on the story, Borderer Oscar Onley is taking part. This exceptional athlete came third in the Tour de Suisse recently and was second in the Tour of Britain! Jings crivvens, twa kilts!, there's another Jock in Le Tour, Edinburgh's Sean Flynn is a teammate of Oscar Onley.
C'mon, The National, we're not all into ball games and gee gees, more cycling coverage, please!
Malcolm Bruce
Edinburgh