SNP gradualist

The gradualist viewpoint within the Scottish National Party (SNP) is the idea that Scottish independence can be won by the accumulation by the Scottish Parliament of powers that the UK Parliament currently has over a protracted period of time. It is also a philosophy that emphasises the election of an SNP government should bring about trust in the Scottish people in the ability of Scotland to govern itself, thus bringing increased support for independence. Gradualism comes from the Parti Québécois strategy for the independence of Quebec, étapisme.

Gradualism stands in opposition to the so called 'fundamentalist' point of view that would stress the SNP's support of independence more, and appear to have coined the term 'fundamentalist' too. Critics of gradualism maintain that it allows the UK parliament to dictate Scotland's status, rather than allowing people in Scotland itself to self-determine.

Most political commentators today acknowledge that the current SNP leadership is by and large of the gradualist mould.

With the advent of Scottish devolution, the gradualist position itself has found itself increasingly splintered.

ee also

*SNP Fundamentalist
*Scottish independence
*Scottish National Party