SNP Wakes Up: Time to Rally!

Has the SNP realised that it is not in the business of devolution management but independence? We are starting to see some signs that the leadership will highlight the cause of independence at the Holyrood elections in May next year.

SNP to push independence at poll

Anyone who has read my blog knows that I've advocated associating the independence issue with the current UK economic depression. If we'd pushed a 'Bankrupt Britain - Solvent Scotland' campaign before the Westminster election the party would have planted in the minds of the electorate two key seeds: Firstly, that Britain, unlike Scotland, is economically dying, secondly, that Labour destroyed the British economy. Before the election Brown had the media talking about 'recovery' - he used printed money to hide the UK's economic state long enough to get to the election (and he still lost).

Some of us knew that 'recovery' was baloney. What we have is not 'recession' or the new baloney 'double-dip recession' but systemic failure. Britain's economy was held up for over 30 years by oil and later by systemic fraud by The City of London. It's all coming crashing down now. That's not recession.

The SNP were in a fantastic position to exploit this with a bold 'Britain is Bankrupt' campaign. It didn't but it seems they are now waking up from their Holyrood slumbers and remembering why they exist:

the SNP would combine independence with the economy and stress that an independent Scotland could deal with the economic crisis without swingeing budget cuts.

Is it too little too late? For this campign to resonate in the minds of the electorate it should have been hammered home before the Westminster elections and her principle competitor Labour would now be on the ropes for 'ruining the economy'. The SNP would now be in the position of saying I told you so.. Instead Labour have wriggle-room:

"Alex Salmond, himself a former banker, can't bring himself to see that Labour used the strength of the UK to protect Scotland from complete economic meltdown like Iceland or Ireland."

I welcome Salmond's shift but it still seems a tad wooly. In rolling out this strategy you first have to establish that Labour broke Britain. That pins them down. This should be the dominant theme for the rest of the year. This also defends the SNP government which has to enforce cuts thanks to its reduced budget. In September and October there will be more economic shocks to come as the Summer is over and business realises that they have to revise down their expections. This means less predicted tax revenue and worsening unemployment. At that point the SNP bolts on it's 'Scotland is Solvent' line to the Labour destroyed Britain campaign. That way you have estabished that the UK is sinking into oblivion, Labour caused it and there's no need to take the pain in an independent Scotland. Going into the new year the party turns up the heat with a 'Britain is Bankrupt' campaign. Labour can't argue about protecting Scotland because they caused the UK's mess - a message already established. You've embedded distrust of Labour's message. For the rest of the campaign drive home the message that 'Independence means Jobs, Britain means bankruptcy'.

Yes, it's all very late in the day but a slick and focused media campaign might just swing it. It is interesting to note that many pathological leadership loyalists in the SNP were resisting championing independence and combining that idea with the economy. I've heard that now is a bad time to talk about independence. Clearly, there could not be a better time. I've heard about it being 'too negative'. Sorry but you can't help but make independence look attractive by demonstrating the ugliness of union. It will be interesting to see what these people have to say now that the SNP are waking up to reality.

Not that it matters. The leadership perhaps had a rude awakening from its members who were deeply concerned. Whatever the reason for the awakening, what matters is that nationalists can rally around a straight-talking campaign. I urge Salmond to send Swinney out to talk to boardrooms while sending Sturgeon, Neil and any other political bruisers he has at his disposal onto the tv and other public forums. Get on with the business of enlisting economists and business figures who'll back up the line etc.

This should be an epic campaign and so all resources should be poured into it. The mainstream media will make life difficult but their effectiveness wanes the more people smell the lies. An alternative media campaign should be funded and resourced. The SNP will find this a far more friendly environment and shouldn't underestimate its reach and influence on the mainstream.

The strategy is there. Deployed effectively it can be powerful and effective. There's no time to waste in mobilising all resources to the cause. This is a battle over our nation's future. Only imagination, straight-talking, intelligence and boldness will win it.

All those dismayed by the SNP's political conduct recently can now take courage. It's time to rally.