by Alan McManus, Sovereignty and the Alliance to Liberate Scotland candidate for Cumbernauld & Kilsyth
Knowing that folk are likely to get very bored, very quickly, of conventional party politicking in the run-up to Holyrood 2026, I decided to run a quirky campaign in Cumbernauld & Kilsyth where I’m standing for Sovereignty and the Alliance to Liberate Scotland.
Please Switch Off For Scotland cards
First I started handing out Please Switch Off For Scotland cards in the constituency, asking drivers not to idle their engines outside shops and schools – as this targets kids in push-chairs, toddlers, people using wheelchairs, shop assistants, as well as dogs chained to lampposts.
I respect the wishes of people that simply say “no thanks” and don’t bother then further. To “I don’t have a car”, I reply “you can give it to someone who does” and to “I drive electric” I say “okay but what about conflict minerals mined by child slave labour?” (This doesn’t usually get an answer.)
However, the reaction to these campaign cards has been overwhelmingly positive. People are pleased that someone who isn’t anti-car is also concerned about air quality. That seems a commonsense approach – unlike that of other parties who either want to take away our autonomy as drivers or ignore air pollution.
Want to help?
If you want to help me campaign in Cumbernauld and Kilsyth you can email me at: Auchinstarry@proton.me
Free Campaign Comics!
I’ve also published PDFs of 3 free comics on my blog. They all have campaign themes – and some characters you may recognise! I’m not much of an artist, so I use geometric shapes to gradually build up the characters and objects in the frames. It’s fun to do but painstakingly slow and – as I manage a condition of RSI in my hands and wrists – it’s not something I can do a lot of. So far I’ve come up with:
I’m Dr Alan McManus, your Sovereignty Party / Liberate Scotland candidate for Cumbernauld & Kilsyth. Born and raised in Kirkintilloch (right next door in East Dunbartonshire), I’ve been an author, proofreader and family carer for years, after teaching at home and abroad, in schools, colleges and universities.
I’m a member of the Kirkintilloch Players amateur drama group and the Forth & Clyde Canal Society. I’m currently studying for a degree in Law with the Open University. In my spare time I write mystery novels, books for kids, plays, and books on ethical and political controversies for adults — plus I love organic gardening, sailing, cycling, vegan cookery, and walks with my dog Ben!
