THE Scottish independence movement "must engage with a fresh perspective and an open mind", a Government minister has told a major meeting of campaigners.
Around 800 people gathered in Glasgow for the Scottish Independence Convention (SIC) bringing together a range of pro-Yes groups for the first time since the referendum vote in 2014 to hear Equalities Secretary Angela Constance praise the diversity of the independence campaign.
She said: "It's always timely at the start of a new year to take a deep breath and look to the future and today is our opportunity to consider a new debate for a new Scotland.
"We must not assume that people's views – whether they were Yes or whether they were No – are the same as they were two years ago. Instead the independence movement, our movement, must engage with a fresh perspective and an open mind."
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon last week ruled out holding a second referendum on independence in 2017 but the preparations are continuing.
Sturgeon said another independence referendum is ''highly likely'' after a majority of Scots voted to stay in the European Union while the UK as a whole opted for Brexit.
Constance told the SIC she wants to see human rights put at the heart of any future independence campaign.
She said: "I see Scotland as a country which locates itself not where geography has placed us – on the periphery of a continent – but at the heart of a progressive vision of nations in Europe and beyond.
"If it's a choice between an inward, insular Tory Britain or a progressive, internationalist Scotland I know where I stand.
"If the seismic events of 2016 have communicated any message it is surely that the ideals which unite progressive nations must always be greater than the issues that divide us."
Adding: "So let us empower our diverse movement to reach into every community to spread the message that human rights are the tools for the people to challenge and change our country. Human rights are the foundation stones of a fairer, independent Scotland. Let's start building that new nation on them."
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