Thread by @MartinJKeatings

My announcement today has annoyed people - and I want to be upfront and tell you I understand completely. I also want to be upfront and tell you it is that I tried and failed to find a win win option.

The only thing I could do, and which seems to be a recurring theme in the UK, is to select the least bad option.

There are those who will rightly say that my standing as an independent betrays the fact that AFI stood down or ISP stood down. And for some part of that, you're probably right. But when push comes to shove. My first promise was to the 10,000 backers of the #peoplesas30.

Plan A is dead, Plan B is dead, Plan C is on a shoogly peg and every other plan requires that we prove that the Scottish Parliament has the power to legislate for a second referendum.

The peoples action on section 30 does that. If we win, then we stop future battles from ever being required.

If this was a democratic country, the right of the people to ask reasonable questions of law about parliament would be guaranteed. But it's not.

We live in the UK where parliamentarians think of themselves better than the ordinary worker and they have passed laws to re-enforce that impression. But that is not what Scotland is supposed to be. The people are sovereign, not parliament.

If the case falls, then I'll live with the consequences, even though that likely means bankruptcy. I'm past caring to be honest. Politicians have deliberately gone out to make this process as longwinded and expensive as possible. It is what it is.

But the decisions of parties to run or to drop out, or to advocate themselves, or advocate others and the personal choices of candidates has consequences for this case. Not least the catch 22 of the last week.

My responsibility, no matter how much of a beating I take for it, is to represent the 10,000 backers. Irrespective of my feelings. I'll no doubt be accused of doing this for my own ego, battered for a raft of other reasons but the reality...

...is that the only thing which currently causes an issue for the people's action is the matter of standing. The assertion by the elite of "How dare plebs ask questions parliamentarians haven't been able to answer for over two decades".

The politicians (in my view) have shown nothing but cowardice (bar a few) over the last year. They've not stuck their neck out once.

The UK have advanced no argument against the fact that we have the right to legislate for a referendum without Westminsters permission. They have only challenged your right to ask that question. If we can overcome that, I truly believe we can win.

My only reason for standing is to give this case a real plan B. The opportunity to pave the way for your SNP politicians and your alba politicians and for every yes supporter to engage in their right to self-determination.

I made a promise to fight right to the bitter end to every single backer and it is a promise I will not break. Period. And if that means me taking a battering then so be it. I will not acquiesce to the position that we are not allowed to ask a reasonable question about our...

...own future. I will not bow to mud-slinging, or political spin, or attacks, or threats or politicians acting like children. I made a promise - I intend to keep it. I will see it through, whether that be with or without support.

I have tried to find another way, I was unable to do so, so I chose the least worst option. And again, I apologise if that makes people uncomfortable, but your beef should be with those in authority who have created these circumstance in the first place.

The root of the problem here is a broken system within the UK.

So if I am to be judged, let it be on the fact that I took the least worst option to keep a promise to 10,000 people.

59 Scottish MPs, 129 MSPs and not a single one stuck their neck out for your rights. Why? Because of the risks I am currently subjected to.

If I am to be judged - judge me according to that standard!