Draft:Sovereignty Scotland
Sovereignty Scotland | |
|---|---|
| Leader | David McHutchon |
| Deputy Leader | Moira Brown |
| Founded | 6 April 2020 |
| Headquarters | Schoolhouse Hamnavoe Burra ZE2 9LA |
| Ideology | Scottish independence |
| Website | |
| www | |
Sovereignty Scotland is a minor political party in Scotland which supports an independent Scotland outside of both the United Kingdom and the European Union.
History
[edit]Sovereignty Scotland was originally founded as Restore Scotland in 2020 on the 700th anniversary of the Declaration of Arbroath. In May 2021 it contested the Scottish Parliament elections.[1][2]
The party contested the 2022 local council elections and the 2024 UK general election.[1]
Policies
[edit]Scottish independence
[edit]Sovereignty Scotland supports Scotland being independent of the United Kingdom, the European Union, and any other bodies that seek to assert their jurisdiction. The party supports withdrawing from the European Convention on Human Rights and supports the continued removal of EU legislation since Brexit.
In the face of judicial and political impediments to Scottish independence, the party advocates for Scotland making a unilateral declaration of independence. In arguing the case for such a declaration, David McHutchon has cited the success of the unilateral declaration of independence made by Kosovo for the fact that it was accepted by Gordon Brown's government.
Additionally, the party has invoked the Scottish constitutional notion that the people are sovereign. A Party Congress report stated the following:
In Scotland, as enshrined in the 1320 Declaration of Arbroath and never amended in any subsequent law, charter, or document, it is specified that the Scottish people are Sovereign, not the King nor Parliament, and any proper Government of Scotland would rule with such a mandate from the people.[3]
In that Congress, it was decided that such a declaration would be made on the condition that a majority of the Scottish electorate vote for parties that advocate for a withdrawal from the United Kingdom.[3]
Economic policy
[edit]The party supports an independent Scotland having its own currency, preferably sound money as opposed to fiat currency. The party wishes to establish a sovereign wealth fund funded with energy royalties. On Central Bank Digital Currencies, the 2024 manifesto says that they are "inimical to monetary privacy, easily debased, and should be shelved." It is the view of the party that cash should be accepted everywhere.
Governmental form
[edit]The party's 2024 general election manifesto does not take a position on the form of government that an independent Scotland should take. Rather, the question of whether Scotland should be a republic, parliamentary democracy, elected monarchy, or constitutional monarchy should instead be decided after independence.
The party is, however, opposed to the claim of the House of Windsor over Scotland, holding the view that a monarch cannot rule two independent kingdoms.
Foreign policy
[edit]In order to guarantee the security of a Scottish state, the party advocates for a policy of armed neutrality, non-aggression, and peaceful relations with other states. Being non-interventionist, the party advocates for a military focused on defence.
Nuclear non-proliferation is supported by the party though this may not necessarily involve unilateral disarmament.
The party supports the deportation of non-citizens who commit crimes, including the crime of illegal entry.
Social policy
[edit]The defence of life, liberty, and property are deemed by the party as central to the function of the law.
The party supports the creation of a Swiss-style citizen army and military service with the option of conscientious objection. The party would reintroduce Scottish regiments due to their "significance for local and national identity, their distinctive cultures and illustrious histories."
The party values the right of Scots to freedom of movement and assembly, free from state surveillance. The party wishes to reduce the use of CCTV, biometric data, and facial recognition in public places.
The party aims to repeal all hate crime legislation and wishes for the law to admit the most limited of speech crimes.
The party seeks to disband Police Scotland in a return to local police constabularies. Certain police functions would still take place on a national scale.
The 2024 manifesto expresses its opposition to GIRFEC-type initiatives such as the "named person" scheme.
Education
[edit]The 2024 manifesto stated that there must be "no promotion of homosexuality, transgenderism or gender ideology in schools." The party opposes matters of marriage, sex, and reproduction being discussed in schools and instead says that such discussions are for the home.
The party supports the legal protection of faith-based schools and homeschooling.
References
[edit]
- ^ a b "About - Sovereignty". Sovereignty Scotland. Retrieved 15 June 2025.
- ^ Spowart, Nan. "Sovereignty: Brexit-backing Yes party relaunches for election". The National. Retrieved 15 June 2025.
- ^ a b "A Unilateral Declaration of Independence is a Legitimate Means of Restoring National Sovereignty". Sovereignty Scotland. 12 May 2025. Retrieved 16 June 2025.