Rebels in secret indy plot ahead of SNP national conference

According to the plan, a majority of list votes for pro-independence parties in 2026 would secure a mandate for independence negotiations with the UK Government.

Mr Swinney's plan has been criticised by some party members. The group, which will meet on August 9 in Perth, has submitted the following motion for approval by the SNP's conference committee:

“Conference instructs the Party to prioritise obtaining a mandate from the sovereign Scottish people to deliver independence. 

“This will be possible by achieving a majority of the popular vote on the sum of the Independence Supporting Parties’ List Votes in the 2026 Scottish parliamentary election."

That is a different strategy from Mr Swinney’s plan, which contends that a mandate is only achievable if the SNP wins a majority of seats at Holyrood. 

The First Minister told the BBC on Monday: "We [make independence a priority] by electing a majority of SNP MSPs to the Scottish Parliament and then taking forward the democratic path to independence which will secure the future of our country.

“We only get that referendum if a majority of SNP MSPs are elected next May.”

The rebel motion, which argues this threshold should be lowered and include votes cast for Alba and the Scottish Greens, was proposed by members in Oban and Lorn, Tweeddale, and Helensburgh. 

Longtime party activist Graeme McCormick, one of the people behind the strategy, told The Herald:  “As you can imagine in the SNP, there are lots of views on how to achieve independence. A few of us who have been involved in the movement for a long time came together to propose this plan.

“If we get a majority of pro-independence votes on the list, we’ll open negotiations with the UK Government around independence. If the negotiations aren’t successful, then we’ll move to dissolve the union. It’s perfectly legal to do so.

“Our plan is coming from members with experience of how states work, we aren’t just dewy-eyed ‘the dream will never die’ nationalists.

“We’ve invited John to come and speak with us, and look forward to discussing this with him. I think the strength of what we have requested is clear.”

Party members will meet in Aberdeen in October. (Image: NQ)Mr McCormick added: "We have intentionally not gone public to give the SNP members their place, but as it’s now in the public domain and John has already indicated his initial line of thought publicly, we think that it is fair that the people know that SNP policy will be debated and clarified at our National Conference in October."

The Herald understands that the conference committee is expected to publish the agenda for this year’s conference, which will be held in Aberdeen, on August 8. 

One national party source dismissed the motion, telling The Herald: “I wouldn't give it much credence. Leadership has already outlined their strategy and this is a contradiction. I doubt it makes it out of the conference committee.”

The 'group of 43' will meet at St Matthew’s Church in Perth to “plan strategic amendments” and “decide together how we take this initiative forward.”

An invitation seen by The Herald reads: “We are delighted to let you know that we have 43 branches supporting our motion to the SNP conference. 

“You are a crucial part of this initiative and now we want representatives to meet with us to prepare together for the next stage.

“The day will be an opportunity for us to meet one another, to decide together how we will take this initiative forward, and to plan strategic amendments to the resolution that will allow us to get lots of points about how we see ‘the path to independence’ into the conversation at conference.”

SNP activist Graeme McCormick. (Image: Graeme McCormick) The invitation went on to say: “We are done asking for referenda. Never again will we accept a Scottish SNP leader or First Minister going cap in hand to Westminster for permission to leave the Union. That time is past.”

A party source who supports the motion told The Herald: “Our conference committee selects the resolutions for the agenda, and many of us are convinced that the lack of recent independence focussed resolutions is no accident."

“If it doesn't make the agenda then any pretence that we have an internal democracy will be shattered. This resolution is well written and worthy of debate, but it will also be a litmus test of our internal democracy.”

Alba and the Scottish Greens have spoken out in favour of the motion.

Greens co-leader Lorna Slater told The Herald: "We all want to build a fairer, greener Scotland, and it’s increasingly clear the UK is holding us back. It’s no surprise that even while the SNP have struggled in the polls, independence continues to show majority support."

"I’m glad so many in the SNP recognise how important this is. If we want to achieve independence it can’t just be an electoral tool for one politician or party.”

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Alba boss Kenny MacAskill added: "I recognise and welcome the old radical fire that still exists within the SNP membership who are now way ahead of the SNP Leadership on the question of delivering independence.

"The grassroots of the SNP are waking up to the fact that Both Votes SNP and seeking an SNP overall majority at next year's election is a tactic to try and boost the SNP vote, not a strategy that can deliver independence.

"There is now momentum building within the SNP which will only gain ground in the run up to the SNP Conference."

The SNP has been approached for comment.