- Independence First
thumb|Independence_First250px|rightIndependence First or Independence 1st is apolitical movement inScotland , first proposed through internet discussions in September 2004, then formally constituted on19 February 2005 . It is anumbrella group for various supporters of areferendum onScottish independence and the creation of asovereign state of Scotland.Purpose
Independence First was established to be a single issue campaign, uniting supporters of many political backgrounds and none in support of a Scotland-wide referendum on
Scottish independence and to campaign for popular approval for Scotland leaving theUnited Kingdom . The organisation claims to have supporters from the Labour Party, a party which is officially opposed to a Scottish independence referendum and is thus considered Unionist in outlook by referendum supporters.The organisation aims to be a
broad church , and as such does not state an opinion on potentially divisive issues which would arise following a secession from the United Kingdom such as membership of theEuropean Union , whether the state becomes amonarchy or arepublic with an elected president.upport
Independence First are supported officially by the
Scottish Green Party [ [http://news.scotsman.com/scotland.cfm?id=1705952005 Scotsman.com News ] ] and a number of Members of theScottish Parliament includingTommy Sheridan MSP (Solidarity, former leader of theScottish Socialist Party (SSP)),Sandra White MSP (Scottish National Party (SNP)) andCampbell Martin MSP (Independent).Other groups and individuals who have given their support include the Celtic League,
David R. Ross ,Lloyd Quinan and Kevin Williamson. They also receive support from minor political parties who are unrepresented in any elected body: theCommunist Party of Scotland , the Free Scotland Party, theScottish Enterprise Party and theScottish Independence Party .Campaigns
Independence First held a demonstration on 30 September 2006 in
Edinburgh city centre, also supported by theIndependence Convention , the SRSM,Siol nan Gaidheal , the SSP, Solidarity, the Greens and the SNP. Independence First itself estimated 1,000 marchers turned out [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/5395464.stm BBC NEWS | Scotland | Rally calls for independence vote ] ] although reported numbers inevitably varied.Independence First held a further march and demonstration in Edinburgh on 31 March 2007.
A number of campaigns have been set up by the organisation. They have written letters to the
Government of the United Kingdom and theScottish Executive in support of their goals, occasionally with reference toself-determination and theUnited Nations Charter . The Scottish Executive replied, stating that constitutional matters are reserved to theUK Parliament under the terms of theScotland Act 1998 . TheScotland Office of the UK Government responded citingparliamentary sovereignty - and that it was solely down to the UK Parliament to grant or refuse any referendums on constitutional issues.Independence First have also been involved in helping organise the
Independence Convention which launched in 2005.Public Petition
Independence First launched an e-petition through the
Scottish Parliament website which gained over 1300 signatures but was subsequently rejected by the Public Petitions Committee in November 2006, voting six to three to note the position and close it with no further action.Justifications and legality
The organisation seeks to hold a
referendum on the matter of Scottish independence due to its belief that elections to the Scottish and British parliaments are insufficient in indicating support for their cause.Independence First recently wrote to both the UK Government and the Scottish Parliament demanding a
referendum for the people of Scotland on independence. The Scottish Parliament replied: “The Scotland Act 1998 sets out the statutory framework for the Scottish devolution settlement. Schedule 5 to the Act defines matters which are reserved to the United Kingdom Parliament.”“The devolution settlement and constitutional matters generally are reserved matters under the Act. The Government of the United Kingdom is responsible therefore for considering any fundamental changes to the existing devolution framework in Scotland.”
The
Scotland Office replied “It is worth noting that in the UK political system the UK parliament is sovereign and it is for Parliament to decide whether or not to hold a referendum on any particular issue - and what the terms of any referendum should be.”The spokesman added: ”This is simply not accurate, in England Parliament is sovereign, but in Scotland the people are sovereign. These answers are not acceptable. Obviously both the UK Government and Scottish Parliament are deliberately ignoring Scotland’s rights to democracy under international law.”
However these claims conflict with current thinking on the matter in relation to the constitution in Scotland (see: parliamentary sovereignty) and ignore the doctrine of
territorial integrity in international law. While the former concept has some support in law in the form of a dissenting opinion inMacCormick v. Lord Advocate , the second matter relating to international law has never been concluded by any international body.References
External links & news coverage
* [http://www.independence1st.com/ Official website]
* [http://news.scotsman.com/politics.cfm?id=1015782006 Scottish nationalists to march in Edinburgh]
* [http://news.scotsman.com/edinburgh.cfm?id=986632006 Independence Day on Mound]
* [http://scotland.indymedia.org/newswire/display/3204 Independence First launch epetition]
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