Dear John,

We met once many years ago when I was the SNP councillor for Alva on Clackmannan District Council. You and I did a press conference together. I wasn’t asked again, likely because my performance was rubbish. Since then, your career has fascinated me. Under Alex Salmond’s leadership, your performance in various roles impressed. I believe, contrary to the views of some others, that you are devoted to Scotland and have made sacrifices for our country.

I plead with you now to take positive steps to accelerate our country’s path to Independence. That goal is a dream we can realise next year – provided that our movement is united, not fragmented, and that all of us within the movement put country before party.

Scotland faces unnecessary grinding poverty and want which is generational. Our children from poorer areas do not attain their potential; our working poor suffer and do without unnecessarily; our deaths from and lives blighted by addiction are shameful, record breaking and again unnecessary. We see daily poverty amidst plenty as our resources are sent south, to bankroll Westminster policies shaming us internationally as our people freeze, hunger and die premature deaths. You and I know that is the cost of the Union. At times we appear served by career politicians who know the price of everything, yet lack understanding of the value of nothing.

We can change all of this in a stroke next year – not by electing party politicians whose loyalty is to party first, but by adopting a courageous, life altering approach. 

One independence supporting candidate in every constituency and a managed approach on the list – with that pen, that simple pair of crosses on ballot papers, all the sma’ folk of Scotland have the chance, perhaps the one and only chance for a lifetime, to transform Scotland’s future destiny, for once and for all.

Your position as First Minister gives you the unique ability now, when support for Independence is strong, when Westminster is at its weakest, when the eyes of the world are upon Scotland as the result of the bold approach of Liberation Scotland to the UN, to unite our movement and to say – the people of Scotland are sovereign. Give the people the opportunity of a lifetime. Make next year’s election a plebiscite when we can vote for Independence Nothing Less and take Scotland from the dark shadows into the bright new days.

You have the chance to write history – to lead our independent nation into days of hope, when we realise the potential of all of our citizens, harness our resources for Scotland’s benefit, make poverty history and transform tomorrow for each Scot,  born and as yet to be born. 

Please listen, understand and act so that not only will the dream never die, but the dream shall be fulfilled. Scotland deserves nothing less. 

We in Liberate Scotland are not your enemies. We are your fellow travellers. I represented the SNP, was privileged so to do. Like you, I have spent a lifetime talking about Independence and its benefits. We have sweated in campaigns, on doorsteps, in meetings. It is time to talk honestly with passion, with courage, respect and understanding about how we achieve our goal – how we take our Independence and then the hard work begins – it will be worth it. Our bairns and theirs will grow up in a country where we make our own decisions for ourselves, by ourselves, better than no other nation, but equals on a world stage. I hope that I live to see you stand with pride as the saltire unfurls between the flags of Saudi Arabia and Senegal and we take our place in the world as an equal, peace loving, peaceable, prosperous nation. 

Our hand of friendship and unity is extended. I await your call. Let us get the job done. Scotland free – or a desert? The choice is yours.