Independence for Scotland Party

Summary

The Independence for Scotland Party (ISP) (Scottish Gaelic: Pàrtaidh Neo-eisimeileachd do dh'Alba) is a minor political party in Scotland which supports Scottish independence within the European Free Trade Association (EFTA).[1]

Independence for Scotland Party
AbbreviationISP
LeaderColette Walker
Deputy LeaderJulie McAnulty
Founded7 May 2020
RegisteredPP11433
Headquarters22 Monteith Gardens
Clarkston
Glasgow
G76 8NU
IdeologyScottish independence
Local government in Scotland
0 / 1,227
Website
www.isp.scot

History edit

The party was founded in 2020[2] and was registered by the Electoral Commission on 7 May 2020.[3]

On 8 January 2021, Roddy McCuish became the first elected representative of the ISP, when he joined the party while on Argyll and Bute Council, having been elected as an independent and then later moving to the party. He had been both a Scottish National Party representative and an independent.[4] In March 2022, McCuish announced that he would not be standing for re-election at the 5 May 2022 Scottish local elections.[5]

In November 2020, the party came under fire for quoting Kenny MacAskill's published view on constituency versus list voting.[6] MacAskill issued a statement saying that the advert was made without his consent.[4]

The ISP had planned to stand fourteen list candidates in the 2021 Scottish Parliament election, one in South Scotland and Glasgow and two in the remaining six regions.[7] However, after the Alba Party announced their formation and decision to compete in the election, they withdrew their candidates.[8]

The party leader Collette Walker was a candidate in the 2023 Rutherglen and Hamilton West by-election. It was her party's first United Kingdom parliamentary election. She finished in ninth place with 0.68% of the vote and lost her deposit.[9]

References edit

  1. ^ Williams, Martin (29 July 2020). "New Scottish independence party explains game plan as logos are officially approved". The Herald.
  2. ^ Webster, Laura (9 May 2020). "Independence for Scotland Party launches ahead of 2021 election". The National. Retrieved 5 May 2022.
  3. ^ "View registration – The Electoral Commission". search.electoralcommission.org.uk. Retrieved 25 January 2021.
  4. ^ a b O'Toole, Emer (8 January 2021). "Independence for Scotland party welcomes its first elected representative". The National. Archived from the original on 2 February 2021. Retrieved 22 July 2021.
  5. ^ "Councillors offer advice as they step down from long-standing roles". The Oban Times. 11 April 2022. Retrieved 5 May 2022.
  6. ^ Cochrane, Angus (1 November 2020). "Independence for Scotland Party creates 'fake endorsement' from Kenny MacAskill". The National. Retrieved 25 January 2021.
  7. ^ "Regional Candidates May 2021 – Independence for Scotland Party – ISP". Independence for Scotland Party. Retrieved 26 March 2021.
  8. ^ Davidson, Gina (29 March 2021). "Scottish Election 2021: New independence party stands down candidates after launch of Alba". The Scotsman. Retrieved 17 April 2022.
  9. ^ "Rutherglen and Hamilton West by-election – see the full results". The National. 6 October 2023. Retrieved 6 October 2023.

External links edit

  • Independence for Scotland Party – Official website