The following is 'borrowed' from a comment by James Murphy on The National's report of John Swinney's call for an 'immediate' constitional convention. In his comment, James compared Swinney’s 'strategy' to real-world independence movements. I think readers will find it interesting and I know not everyone has access to these comments, so I'm reproducing the comment here. I suspect James won't object.

͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­

	Forwarded this email? Subscribe here for more Trying to figure out WTF is going on Action first Peter A Bell Jul 30   READ IN APP   The following is 'borrowed' from a comment by James Murphy on The National's report of John Swinney's call for an 'immediate' constitional convention. In his comment, James compared Swinney’s 'strategy' to real-world independence movements. I think readers will find it interesting and I know not everyone has access to these comments, so I'm reproducing the comment here. I suspect James won't object. John Swinney’s current strategy for Scottish independence is built around: Requesting permission from Westminster via a second referendum Tying action to electoral success - specifically, an SNP-only majority in 2026 Emphasising legal, democratic, constitutional means only Proposing a civic constitutional convention to marshal support before acting Avoiding any direct state-building or institutional confrontation It’s a strategy of waiting - not asserting power. It relies on polite pressure, hopeful diplomacy, and repeated mandates that are never acted on without UK approval. Ireland (1918-1922) - Used the System, Then Withdrew Won the 1918 UK General Election (46.9% of vote, 73 out of 105 seats) Withdrew from Westminster and set up their own Parliament (the First Dil) Created functioning government structures: civil service, courts, taxation Declared independence without a referendum Recognition came after control, not before Lesson: Ireland didn’t ask twice. They won once - and acted. Baltic States (1990-1991) - Legal Assertion Inside the System Used Soviet elections and legal rights to pass declarations of independence Created national councils, took control of lawmaking and government Held referenda to confirm, not request, independence Recognition followed assertion of authority Lesson: Assert sovereignty through domestic control. International recognition follows. Slovenia (1990-1991) - Strategic Preparation + Decisive Action Held a plebiscite with 88% Yes on 93% turnout Declared independence six months later Built up institutions and control over key sectors in advance Handled internal functions and foreign policy independently Recognition came swiftly after action Lesson: Use mandate as a trigger, not a talking point. Prepare, then move. Norway (1905) - Legal Exit, Then Negotiation In a union with Sweden under a shared monarchy Norwegian parliament unilaterally dissolved the union over a legal dispute Took control of foreign affairs and domestic governance Held a plebiscite after asserting control - not before Sweden recognised independence after negotiation Lesson: Act first, negotiate second. Legitimacy comes from action. Montenegro (2006) - Institutional Control First, Then Referendum Slowly built up domestic control over taxation, laws, and administration Only held a referendum once international observers were satisfied the transition could be managed Cleared the EU-imposed 55% threshold Declared independence immediately after Lesson: Preparation comes first - referenda ratify control, not request it. Czech & Slovak Republics (1992-1993) - Parliamentary Sovereignty No referendum - both republics passed independence votes in their parliaments Agreed transition terms and dissolved Czechoslovakia peacefully Built independent state systems in advance Lesson: Sovereignty was exercised domestically through political will, not external validation. What All These Have in Common: They used the existing legal or political system - but didn’t let it limit them They took direct control over institutions and law They acted after winning mandates - not after permission They gained recognition by asserting sovereignty. What’s Missing from Swinney’s Strategy: No parallel or transitional institutions No withdrawal from UK state functions No credible transition plan (on currency, law, foreign affairs, taxation, etc.) No intent to act on a mandate without UK consent Instead, we have symbolic conventions, motions, and delays. There’s no timeline. No decisive point of action. No institutional shift. The Real Lesson for Scotland Every one of these countries showed the same thing: Independence doesn’t come from waiting. It comes from acting. You don’t need violence. You don’t need collapse. You need political will, institutional control, and the courage to use the authority the people have already given you. Swinney’s plan avoids that step. And that’s why it’s failing. Sign the M4I Petition You're currently a free subscriber to Peter A Bell. For the full experience, upgrade your subscription. Upgrade to paid   Like Comment Restack   © 2025 Peter A Bell 3i South Street Perth Scotland PH2 8NJ Unsubscribe