Alliance to Liberate Scotland Prioritizes Independence Post-Election
The Alliance to Liberate Scotland party has declared that independence should be the foremost priority for the Scottish Parliament following the 7 May election.
Led by activist Hazel Lyon, the party aims to increase the number of pro-independence Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs) elected to Holyrood.
Tommy Sheridan Advocates Independence to Address Key Issues
Tommy Sheridan, the party's candidate for Glasgow, told BBC Scotland News that independence is the solution to addressing poverty, enhancing the National Health Service (NHS), and raising wages.
"If you give both votes to the SNP, you're voting for unionists," Sheridan said.
"Don't vote for unionists, vote for an independence party – vote for the Alliance to Liberate Scotland and make independence the priority for the next Scottish Parliament."
Sheridan, a former socialist MSP, urged voters not to "waste" their second regional vote by supporting the Scottish National Party (SNP).
Criticism of Scottish Greens and Emphasis on Independence
While the Scottish Greens also support independence, Sheridan criticized them for having "done absolutely nothing for independence over the last eight years."
"They don't think independence is a priority – Alliance to Liberate Scotland believe it is the priority.
Because if you want to tackle poverty, if you want to tackle low pay, if you want to tackle our health service being underfunded, you need independence."
Party's Stance and Sheridan's Political Background
Sheridan, who has previously made controversial remarks regarding the IRA, Hamas, and Hezbollah, described Alliance to Liberate Scotland as a "single-issue" party. He stated that candidates are free to express their views as they wish, provided they support independence.
Previously, Sheridan led the Scottish Socialist Party at Holyrood, which secured several seats in 1999 and 2003. He has remained politically active as a supporter of the Scottish independence group Hope over Fear and was a founding member of Alba, a party launched by the late Alex Salmond.
Alba dissolved earlier this year due to financial difficulties.
