The Path to Independence

In this episode of Richardson’s Rubicon, John Richardson talks with Colette Walker, leader of the Independence for Scotland Party, about the launch of Liberate Scotland and how it all links in with the UN decolonisation case. Colette shares how she has always felt Scottish rather than British and how class divisions in period dramas first sparked her distaste for the Union. She explains the founding of ISP in 2020 as a way to capture regional list seats under the D’Hondt system and boost pro-independence representation in Holyrood. Visit https://richardsonsrubicon.com/the-path-to-independence/ for more info! They explore how the strategy of contesting both constituency and list seats backfired in 2021. Colette describes how unionist parties gained extra seats on list votes because pro-independence voters split their support. ISP’s plan is to stand under the Liberate Scotland banner on the list and in constituencies stand as ISP, ensuring a clear “indy party one” and “indy party two” ballot. This approach aims to build a super-majority of cross-party MSPs ready to claim a democratic mandate for independence. John raises concerns about candidates who arrive in Parliament with only one issue, independence. Colette defends the approach with a tease that more details will come. Pointing to policies in their manifesto like universal basic income, she insists these are somel examples of what a sovereign Scotland could do. Real decision making would follow a Swiss-style model of direct democracy. Citizens would propose and veto laws via binding referenda, with MSPs serving as accountable representatives rather than distant rulers with a take it or leave it attitude. They also discuss local government. Colette highlights how freeport schemes in England and privatisation of services shrink public spending and reduce Scotland’s block grant. She notes that seventy per cent of Edinburgh lies within a freeport zone and that council investments there have already jumped five-fold. Both agree that smaller, more transparent local bodies and local referenda could rein in unresponsive authorities. On identity, Colette sides with Nicola Sturgeon’s civic definition: anyone who lives in Scotland and contributes is Scottish. No ethnic or birth criteria apply. She wants a broad inclusive nation built on shared values. John is relieved! Looking ahead to Holyrood 2026, Colette promises a big launch of Liberate Scotland once logistics, crowdfunding, candidate selection and other details are set. She urges listeners to get involved with door-knocking, stalls and social media. Her call to action is clear: seize the moment to declare independence, or risk losing Scotland’s resources and services for good.