I am Scottish, have lived in Scotland all my life. I love being Scottish, not as a patriot to King and country, but as a patriot to its people and culture, its kindness, its sense of fairness. We can all have a share of this country's possibilities.
Ever since I was a child, I had a sense of being cheated of my Scottishness. It started with language. My natural tongue was taken from me as it was too common, too base, I would not get on in the world speaking Doric. Was it that bad? Yes. Of course, part of being Scottish is acceptance of other cultures. I mourn being torn from Europe. Our partners in so many ways.
I was never interested in politics. I felt what does it matter? Labour or Conservatives will win, swings and roundabouts. Nothing really changes. Then in 1997 Tony Blair came to power. Everyone cheered the saviour to liberate us from the awful Tory years of Maggie and John. I did not cheer. I did not see him as a saviour of anything, just the same old same old. Iraq happened. Children like my own killed or made orphans. A war for what? I had become politically aware.
In 2012 I was drawn to the idea that an independent Scotland could happen and what it could offer? I was involved through the SNP in all the usual campaigning, and I loved it. Then there was the devastation of 2014. And the fight became more real. It had never been my intention to have a political roll. Mine was always within my family, daughter, wife and mother, and earner. But in 2017 I was asked to stand as local councillor. I accepted the challenge never expecting to win, but I did and again for a second term, increasing my vote.
I do not push myself forward, I enjoy the wallflower roll. It allows me to do what I most want with little fuss and most power. Work, do the research find the truth, be persistent and always work for what is right and the best outcome.
Scotland needs liberation, Read the English spy Daniel Defoe’s letters back to the British Parliament after 1707. He tells of the devastation of a once thriving nation reduced to poverty, and the loss of jobs and trades and trading. I want to work all I can quietly but purposefully for the liberation of Scotland. For myself to see its liberation, for my children, but mostly for my grandson and his children to live in a rich and thriving land.
https://youtu.be/WXsFhRnUhek?feature=shared
I was born and brought up in Edinburgh. Prior to my retirement in 2016, I was Professor of Maritime Business and Director of the Maritime Research Group at Edinburgh Napier University. I also have a PhD on the subject of Strategic Management in the Global Shipping Industry, and a Degree in Business Studies. My research work encompasses study of most of the world’s main shipping markets, which is inevitably closely connected to world trade. I have been appointed as specialist advisor to numerous ports, shipping lines, governments and parliamentary committees concerning a range of maritime matters with emphasis on shipping economics/markets, maritime policy, seaport planning and trade development. I began my maritime industry career in the 1970s working as a shipping clerk and ship agent in Leith, following which I joint-owned and managed a packaging and freight forwarding business prior to entering the academic/research sphere. More recently, I wrote a textbook on Scottish independence (‘Doun-Hauden’ in 2020) and have since published a wide range of related articles on the subject. My industry and academic experience helped me develop an interest in the way trade, shipping and national economic development are closely connected, and how many former colonies, once liberated, have been able to develop without the constraints imposed by dominant and exploitative imperial powers. I have likened Scotland’s current under-developed socio-economic ‘condition’ to that of many former colonies I have studied in a shipping and trade connection. This experience has enabled me to consider the matter of independence as never one of simply a matter of domestic politics, but to view our colonial reality as one where independence requires decolonization in the fullest sense in order for our people to be liberated and for our nation to progress as part of the international community of nations.
I am a veteran campaigner for Scottish independence, and regard this as the most important job for the rest of my life. I love my country and know it well. I’m originally from Dundee, having spent 30 years in England as an economic migrant, now live in Oban in Argyll, and have lived in various parts of Scotland and travelled all over the country.
I am a founder member of the SSRG (Scottish Sovereignty Research Group), a team of progressive thinkers which brought together independently minded non-partisan experts, academics, business men and women to help progress debate on Scotland's constitutional future. I helped to produce the ‘Manifesto for Indy’ and to organise the groundbreaking SSRG Conference in Dunfermline in 2022. I have extensive business and media experience and am involved in developing the Aye App to assist voter registration.
So what do you get if you choose to vote for me? Dedicated independence support is a given. A thoughtful approach and an understanding of our history and culture, and where it needs to contribute to our future. An understanding of the economics and politics of independence. An independent thinker who has been suspended and expelled from both the SNP and ALBA parties for calling out corrupt practices and a failure to focus on independence. A “YES” man, not a Yes man.
International recognition is the essential component of the independence of any country, and Liberation is the vehicle to deliver that for Scotland. This is why I am happy to stand in 2024’s most important election.
I’m a singer/songwriter, composer and playwright but I’ve had many more lives than that.
I’ve always thought of myself as Scottish, my mother and father were founding members of the SNP in Perth. I’ve done my bit for the YES movement and the SNP over the years both as a member and organiser. I’ve also marched in rain, hail and shine with AUOB. I was organiser for YES Arbroath prior to lockdown.
I didn’t do well at school but later found out I was dyslexic. I made up for lost time and I now have two degrees, one is a teaching degree. The great advantage to being dyslexic is that you can think out of the box.
My greatest Scottish hero is the 18 century Glasgow University Professor of Philosophy, Francis Hutcheson, a very dangerous man because he encouraged people to think for themselves. He encouraged universal learning because. As you probably know, knowledge is power and ignorance is the pathway to slavery. He’s recognised as the father of the Scottish Enlightenment and that’s a project that needs to be resurrected.
I’m growing more interested in how we can circumnavigate the stuckness that we find ourselves in. i.e. ‘Maybe Westminster will give us a referendum and then everything will be alright’. We’re the goose that lays the golden eggs and there’s no way in the world we are going to be allowed to wander off voluntarily. Post 1314, we were still knocking chunks off each other but a well placed letter to the Pope to resolved matters. That’s why I’m so excited by the innovative thinking of Liberation Scotland and the opportunities it affords. I’m also very interested in The Baltic Way and the power of song to bring about change. As a songwriter and composer that is right up my street and I can see lots of potential here.
Which country do I envy? Norway reminds us of missed opportunities and how things could have been. Norway is embarrassingly rich. Scotland is just embarrassing. However, it doesn’t have to be that way. All we need to do is believe in ourselves, rejig the way we think and give ourselves a shake and it will happen and in the words of Peadar Kearney “oh won’t Mother England be surprised?”
I am standing for election as an ordinary committee member for liberation Scot. I have had a lifelong belief in Scottish independence and interest in Scottish culture and its position in the world. Like many I took part in the 2014 referendum but had a lifelong interest in Scottish independence grounded on my knowledge of Scottish history and culture. I studied at the School of Scottish Studies in Edinburgh but ended up leaving my studies to start a family which eventually led to me emigrating to Canada.
My family is part Cree, so I see Scottish independence as part of the larger decolonisation process which unfortunately, like progress in the environment seems to be going in reverse since the 1960s and 1970s. Reversing cultural homogenisation is part and parcel of the true core of the independence movement. I feel this has been usurped by neo liberalism and the citizen consumer, which is basically the emperor's new clothes for unionism and imperialism.
I was involved with environmental campaigns where environmental groups worked with first Nations in fighting clearcut logging on first growth forests and ancestral lands of the nations there, so feel I have good insight to offer Liberation Scot. As I said I also have a healthy knowledge of Scottish culture and history and art skills so a project I am currently researching is to produce a number of books covering the period in history of the Claim of Right and other events like the subjection of the borders, the decline of Gaelic in lowland Scotland and the reformation and plantation of Ulster so people have a better grasp of what's shaped modern Scotland.
I want to see Scotland move back to being a full participant in the world, but not part of a nation in name only so it is important to stop the hollowing out of Scottish culture which like the environment is now at a critical stage
Salvo’s project to rehabilitate Scotland’s forgotten constitution is one of the most important initiatives to emerge since 2014 to break the political stalemate regarding independence. It will bring Scotland’s written constitution (enshrined in the 1707 Articles of Union, but immediately ignored thereafter), and its concept of sovereignty (resting with the people, not parliament), into the visibility of both ordinary Scots and the international community. It also exposes as a fraud, the commonly held belief that Scotland entered into a voluntary union; whereas in reality our territory and resources were illegally annexed by the Union.
It is obvious that Scotland today should be much wealthier than it is, after more than three centuries of the Union. And comparison with our prosperous neighbours Denmark and Ireland (both with more or less the same population and territorial area as Scotland) highlights this fact. Scotland is in real danger of being permanently trapped and isolated inside a terminally declining UK. The Salvo project is a potential game changer and presents an opportunity to re-set Scotland’s position in the world and to create a self- confident nation aware of its history, culture and nationhood.
Being almost fully retired from my professional career, I bring a range of valuable skills to the Salvo project, from this and also from my more recent community charity work and involvement in the grassroots Yes movement. I’d be pleased to be considered for a role as one of the team of National Representatives, or in another role where I can support this initiative.
Born near Portsmouth in 1946, secondary educated to O level GCE I came to Scotland in 1984 with my Scots wife to experience the different culture and pursue my love of the hills. Since 1984 I have lived and worked in the following places: The Western Highlands. 10 years. Inverness 1 year. Dundee 3 years. St Monans 27 years.
I have been voting for independence since 1984 and like many I've noticed the chances of success diminishing. This is unacceptable. The need for justice for Scots and their land has taken over my daily thinking since 2014.
I applied really to show willing and expected not to progress any further as I have no experience of committee work and am not particularly knowledgeable about how the movement is organised. I am well aware that I am not necessarily best placed, ethnically, to represent the needs of the Scottish people. That is something the Scots can only achieve when they are free to do so.
On the positive side:- As has been pointed out recently, the need for people ready to understudy or stand in when someone is indisposed could be important. I certainly have the time to give.
Volunteering comes naturally to me and my family. So if my time is needed that is why I am here.
As a supporter of independence for Scotland since it was “Scotland’s Oil,” I hope to see Scotland become the kind of country where all Scots can grow and flourish, and a Scotland that leads by example, so that our neighbours look over the border and ask themselves,“How the hell are they doing all that?”
I want to join the Liberation Committee because I see Salvo/Liberation’s approach to returning Scotland to the status of independent country as the best, and possibly only way to liberate Scotland. It’s a matter of extreme urgency when the survival of our country is at stake.
The alternative of trying to use a national law that is relentlessly skewed in favour of England, has predictably proved fruitless, in the face of ruthless opposition from those who stand to lose most from Scotland leaving the union, and merely defers to the belief that WM is sovereign over Scots and Scotland.
The Salvo/Liberation approach takes self-determination out of the hands of our politicians, many of whom do not have the best interests of the people of Scotland at heart, and this is tactic that proved successful with the Campaign for a Scottish Assembly, and the Scotland-UN committee when they persuaded the Council of Europe to start monitoring democracy in Europe. Contrary to what the Labour party will tell you, this led a Scottish Assembly finally being delivered.
Over the past few weeks, I have become quite familiar with the work of the Scotland-UN Committee, who have left a near perfect (but not quite perfect in my view) case supporting Scotland’s Claim of Right to Self-determination. Key to achieving independence is in my opinion, establishing that the people of Scotland are sovereign, because Popular Sovereignty trumps everything.
Creator of successful businesses in Scotland, Estonia and Cyprus. Former Executive Vice Convener of the SNP responsible for the Party’s Administration and Fundraising. NEC Member 12 years and various Party Spokesman roles including Trade and Industry, Steel and Transport briefs. Honorary Consul for the Republic of Estonia in Scotland from 2003 until 2018. Honorary President University of Paisley, now University of the West of Scotland. One of the nine men who walked from Gartcosh to London in 1986 in defence of the Scottish Steel Industry. Now retired. Current chair of the Scottish National Congress Steering Group
For those who don’t know me, I’m a former elected member of SNP, former organising member of BiasedBBC Protests, former Co-Convenor of Solidarity, former Chair of Hope Over Fear and until recently, (due to family issues), Chair of Salvo Lanarkshire.
I am just an ordinary person who really wants to live in an independent Scotland. I am nowhere near as eloquent as some of the people wanting to help Salvo and Liberation.
I'd be delighted to be passed over, for better candidates. However, I do want to help! I want to help in any way I can! I'm a photographer. You may have seen me at Alba conferences or the Salvo AGM. I'm happy to do anything required whether that be simply taking photos, or anything else.
I believe through a combination of education and action, by Salvo and Liberation, a new path (actually a really old path, rediscovered) can now be trodden towards Independence! I want to get started! Now!
Julie started her career as a musician; she studied both music and Scottish literature at university. She spent a happy few years playing in bands and teaching before life took an unexpected turn and she found herself as a full time carer for her mother who had dementia. This led Julie to enter into politics when her local hospital Monklands was threatened with closure. She joined the Scottish Health Campaigns Network which fought to keep hospitals open across Scotland and also regularly contributed to development and writing of health policy for the Scottish government of the time. Julie both wrote and presented policy briefs on their behalf to the government. The most notable intervention that the SHCN made was on the the Primary Medical Services and Tobacco Act. The SHCN raised the alarm about loopholes that if they had been left, would have led to the privatisation of the NHS by the back door in Scotland. Thanks to their intervention, the legislation was amended and this did not happen.
She entered party politics in 2010 when she joined the SNP and became a councillor two years later. At this point there was a major scandal brewing in North Lanarkshire Council regarding their housing property contract with Mears and the council’s write off of 25 million pounds in favour of Mears when they were making losses. Julie reported it to the Standards Commission and from that point onwards was under constant attack until the leader of the council finally resigned and there was a clear out of those who had supported him.
She left the SNP in 2017 and later helped found the Independence for Scotland Party with Colette Walker in 2020. She joined Salvo in 2023 and was involved in the drafting and the presentation of the Stirling Directive. She regularly writes articles on behalf of ISP promoting and explaining Salvo’s policies and aims and spreading the message. When not politicking, Julie still teaches and plays music.
https://youtu.be/Qte5Tr5XXXs?feature=shared
I’m 67 years of age. I stay in Kinghorn, Fife, with my wife of 45 years, we have three grown up children and two grandchildren. I’m retired now, but previously worked in heavy engineering from the age of 15 starting at Rosyth Dockyard, and have spent most of my time in dockyards, the merchant navy, power stations, and in the offshore oil and gas industry on rigs and heavy construction diving ships.
Prior to the 2014 independence referendum I wasn’t involved in politics at all, mainly because I spent a lot of time working offshore or abroad, but the arrival of my two grandchildren changed all that, as I contemplated what lay ahead for them. I then joined the SNP and became very active for around six years. I served on my branch executive committee, I was a polling agent, did street stalls, chapped doors etc, and then I left in 2020 having become somewhat disillusioned by the party in general. I was a founding member of the Yes2 Kirkcaldy Hub and was Chair during a very active period where we were open full time for several years. I served as a Community Councillor in Kinghorn for 9 years until 2023, but have continued in my role as Chair of the Kinghorn Playparks Group until we complete the second of two new playparks.
I joined Salvo/Liberation because they’re not a political party, and I could see, and hear, that they had something different to offer, which I believe has a very good chance of success. A lot of work has been put in by many to get us to this point, and I want to offer my assistance and experience to help keep it going in the right direction. I’m currently Convener of the Salvo Fife Hub, and with the support of our Organisers Group, I’ve put myself forward for the Liberation Committee elections. I want the best people to be elected to the committee, and of course, I’d like to be one of them and if 12 better people than me are voted in, I’ll be happy for them, For Liberation, and for the future of our movement, and I will continue to serve as best I can.
Background and Experience
I have been active in significant political campaigns and as a candidate within 2 Independence parties. I campaigned against the poll tax and clause 28. I campaigned for years for the SNP and, in 2012, joined the Yes campaign for Independence. I “manned” street stalls, handing out leaflets and speaking with people to convince them to vote Yes; I canvassed, leafletted and on September 18th, 2014, I remained all day at a polling station, helping several people make up their minds at the last second!
I bootstrapped my own company from scratch, from a £50 loan from my sister, into a 7 figure turnover, company, employing 60 people in our offices throughout Scotland.
I lectured for 10 years in an FE college at Degree-HND level and taught in a school for two years.
I helped to set up and run the Salvo Research Group. We have added materially to the knowledge base that will form an important part of Scotland’s case to the UN.
As Researcher, I have been an active member of the Salvo Core Admin team and of the Glasgow Hub. I was part of two effective conciliation and mediation teams.
Transferable skills
I can sift through largequantities of written and verbal information in a very short time to hear, see and extricate the heart of a matter. I listen keenly and communicate clearly at all different levels, according to the needs of the person with whom I’m communicating. As a startup entrepreneur, I have experience in every corner and aspect of business. This has given me many applicable transferable skills including:
-Persuasion, mediation and communication of ideas;
-Remote and close inspiration, leadership and management
-Public speaking and debate
-Determination and persistence
-Budget appreciation
-Thinking outside the box to achieve a goal.
It is going to be a challenging, fast-moving role, supporting our overarching mission to champion Scottish Self-determination to the international community, represent Scottish interests effectively, and participate in the restoration of the faith of all Scots and the international community in Scotland as a nation state.
I have a profound belief in the resumed statehood of our nation that originates in my first encounter with Burns, Fergusson and Henryson in my mid teens and the understanding it gave me that the language of my parents and peers was far more than the vulgar patois I had subliminally come to think it. That was my first encounter with what I now understand to be linguistic assimilation, a basic tool of colonisation, and it made a strong impression that carried over into challenging early days at Edinburgh University. A hurdle objectionably put in the way of young Scots speakers.
Since the explosion of debate in the run up to 2014, it has been an increasing disappointment to see that surge dissipate in the acute and perplexing failings of the SNP, in the actions of the British State to prevent its repeat at all costs and in the movement's present state-provoked fragmentation.
The lesson has not however been lost, any more than has support for independence. Salvo and Liberation’s response has been to provide an even greater objective by identifying the true “gold standard”; i.e. bringing to light the concealed truth of the constitutional basis of our right to restore our nation's statehood, and mapping out a route towards its international exposure and recognition.
I believe that correcting the narrative of the fraudulent nature of the Union can win us support internationally, not only among the decolonised nations of empire, but also in Europe where Anglo-British duplicity is a recent memory; arrogated licence we charitably call ‘exceptionalism’. I also think the main independence parties, fiercely resistant to any encroachment on their Britischepolitik defined territory, can be steered towards a far more robust and coherent position on independence by a movement outside of politics. Exceptionally, it was immensely encouraging to see Neale Hanvey take the initiative of seeking a landmark opinion from Professor McCorquodale.
What can I bring to the team? My experience is outside politics and public service, but I have international work and trade experience, a third language which might assist, determination and commitment. I believe I can make a constructive, collaborative contribution to the Committee and to achieving the goal we’ve set for our country.
Salvo/Liberation are reaching out to members to form a committee to support campaigns to expose and challenge the unlawful annexation of Scotland by England . Salvo research on this front has been second to none and the aim of the Committee is to now spread the argument for independence focusing on the truth of our situation.
Having been passionate about independence since I was at school I am not short on enthusiasm. If anything, I see the current situation as more necessary and more urgent than it ever has been
We need a committee which represents all areas of Scotland, urban and rural, sport, the arts, music, transport, health (the list is endless) in order to reach as many people as we can to spread the word. As I recall at the 2014 referendum approximately 400,000 people was the difference between "yes" and "no". Therefore, we just have to win over upwards of 200,000 people with a strong and well considered argument. One would imagine that rather than drowning with a sinking United Kingdom many people might think that throwing in their lot with Scotland was a better bet - and we need to make this our point. After all, why would we want to be tied to a country which wants to be sovereign but refuses to let us have our sovereignty?
In my experience good communication and transparency are the ultimate requirements for success in a committee, or life in general for that matter, followed by honesty, commitment, responsibility and understanding with plenty of patience thrown in. I think I could add some of the above to this cause which is trying so hard to prevent Scotland from being destroyed by the existing institutions of the British establishment.
My name is John Robson and I am an angry and frustrated SCOT. Why am I angry? Well. I am sick and tired of listening to Unionist lies and propaganda.Why am I frustrated? Because it appeared, until now, we were powerless to do anything about it. Examples of this are:-
Politicians spouting lies like “Spending Taxpayers Money”
The UK cannot afford this or that.
OIL is running out.
ALL LIES. Any country which prints its own currency can afford whatever it wants
within certain boundaries.
I have a vast and varied experience in the business world and have held very senior positions from sales manager to Regional manager for Scotland and Northern England for Prudential Bank. I also ran my own limited companies and have an understanding of the Taxation system. I wish to bring this expertise to bear in our quest for Freedom for my country.
I have been studying economics lately and have an understanding of people’s motivations due to my experience in the business world. I was also a member of the Scottish Currency Group and was instrumental in the production of the booklet which was sent to All MPs and MSPs. This booklet went down like a lead balloon.
I am extremely passionate about my Country obtaining its FREEDOM. I am truly sick of watching it being raped and pillaged and our population struggling because our Colonial Masters are stealing our assets, culture, also forcing our population to leave to make a reasonable living.
Background
I have worked for The Scottish Ambulance Service since 2019 and this has helped me gain a wealth of experience dealing with a wide variety of people and situations. I have been described by colleagues and friends as hard working, passionate, determined and kind. I am often approached at work and in my personal life by people who either need a solution to a problem or just need to vent. As my colleagues will testify, I have experienced many instances where it was crucial I remained calm to diffuse a potentially volatile situation. I have an excellent ability to win people round and gain their trust.
To perform my role well I must be able to communicate effectively. Whether I'm handing over a time critical patient to a room full of consultants and nurses or informing a family member a loved one has passed away, it is essential I communicate in a clear, factual and compassionate manner.
Liberation
Scotland's independence is more vital now than ever. We are witnessing what will be a pivotal moment in Scottish history. I can think of no higher honour than to play even the smallest part in freeing my country from shameless oppression. If elected to this committee, I will bring my undying passion for independence and will work with people from all backgrounds and all parties. I am acutely aware of the enormous task facing us. With the British MSM already describing the movement as 'bonkers' and the continuous rhetoric spouted by unionist politicians, we are up against it. They will continue to try and discredit us but I believe this committee will be the first step in a monumental push back, capturing the imagination of people from all levels of Scottish society and I want to play my part.
Scotland has had over 300 years of 'British' culture forced upon it. In reality there is no such thing as 'British' culture. This false culture is no more than English culture dressed in a union flag. Our own culture- dismantled. Our language- reduced to a 'dialect'. Our customs- a novelty reserved for Burn's night. We must build national confidence if the people are to believe Scotland can be independent. Reviving our identity will play a critical role in this.
(This is part of my neighbourhood near Mount Eagle on the Black Isle in the Highlands of Scotland and for me it’s a special place on one of my many cycle routes across the Highlands of Scotland.This is where my heart lies, although I was born in Bristol.)
I am 76 years young and my working experience of nearly 50 years was in heavy engineering construction for oil platforms and shipping throughout Scotland and 25 other countries. My own company grew into an international technical service supplying precision construction controls including client engineering education. In 2012 I was a member of the 26-man International Engineering Team that successfully recovered the stricken Cruise Liner ‘Costa Concordia’ intact from the island of Giglio, Italy. As well as experience in the fields of business and education in engineering construction, I have a deep understanding of macroeconomics (governmental Economics), and how the mechanics of an independent Government’s finances actually operate.
I hope to become a member of the ‘Committee for Liberation Scotland’ for the following reasons:-
1. There is something deeply disturbing about the mechanisms and processes of our Parliamentary Systems that fail the very People they are meant to represent.
2. As a consequence, there must be a fundamental shift in the type of democracy that is currently dominated by the unaccountable ‘political elite.’ That shift can only be directed by the people themselves.
3. This means that the ‘people of Scotland’ have to dictate the terms of governance and the only mechanism available is through LIBERATION SCOTLAND and the re-establishment of a Peoples Congress.
4. Knowledge is power – our people need to be educated, ignorance and apathy changed into powerful knowledge. I hope to work with others for in Liberation Scotland for a ‘Liberation Scotland Academy’, an educational platform whose approach and language is suitable for the people, not just academia.