There’s been much reflection on the result of referendum on occasion of its ten-year anniversary. However, on the pro-independence side, this has not resulted in resolving some of the significant strategic issues. This is because there’s been the all too easy practice of placing blame upon others for the failure as well as way too little time spent upon critical self-examination.

In a previous piece in The Herald last month, I lambasted the SNP for not understanding the leverage that the cause of independence could gain by adopting a social movement perspective, rather by being just a political party project.

This remains true even with SNP depute leader, Keith Brown, admitting somewhat late in the day that another Section 30 Order will not be granted by Westminster. He told the anniversary event organised by The Herald’ sister paper, The National, that the way forward was a constitutional convention of independence-supporting political parties and organisations.

Read More: Indy needs to become a social movement if it is to succeed

Even if recognition of the virtue of the vitality that a social movement perspective can bring was ever undertaken, another challenge to be confronted is that of ‘the chicken and the egg’ conundrum. In other words, which is more important and should then come first: independence per se or a certain type of independence?

In pro-independence circles, this takes the frequent form of the 'Let’s just get independence first' perspective versus arguing for a particular form or type of independence as the route to gaining the necessary support and mobilisation for independence.

The 'Let’s just get independence first'........

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