This website was created by the 2014 Scottish Left Project to inform and educate, as well as keep visible within our Scottish society the ideas based on the principles of radical social change.
UPDATE:
Scottish Left Project was launched online in October 2014 as a "grassroots forum for left-wing ideas and talent. The initial statement called for a "co-ordinated socialist challenge" in the 2016 elections and included commitments to "crowdsource policies" and hold "a citizens' audit of the debt that is imprisoning our national finances." A split occurred among the initial signatories when SSP later joined negotiations to create an electoral alliance with other participants in the Scottish Left Project. In June 2015, the Sunday Herald revealed that the name of the new electoral alliance would be RISE – Scotland's Left Alliance. The name was a contrived acronym standing for Respect, Independence, Socialism and Environmentalism. Formed in 2015 by the Radical Independence Campaign, Scottish Left Project and Scottish Socialist Party, they stood for Holyrood on a platform of ending austerity, big tax hikes for the rich, and a second referendum. At the 2016 election, the new left party only polled 10,911 in total across Scotland and none of their candidates were returned. The Scottish Socialist Party then decided to re-evaluate and re-focus away from RISE and instead work on growing its own influence and authority. A press release in 2016 announced that a new website hosting "debate, discussion, left-wing analysis and strategy" would soon be launched. This website's domain registration was allowed to expire. Likewise the last posts on the Left Project's facebook pages seem to have dwindled after the election.
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The new owner decided to keep the original message of the former site intact.
Visitors can use the content for its historical information.
This is no longer an active site for the Left Project.
The content below is from the site's archived pages.
My college roommate was from Scotland and she was deeply engaged in political activism, closely following the activities of the Scottish Left Project and RISE. She was particularly taken aback when the SSP reconsidered its alliance with RISE, which failed to secure any seats in the Scottish Parliament in 2016. I'd often hear her passionate debates about these developments. Meanwhile, my interests were quite different. I had landed a part-time coding job for an online store specializing in pickleball equipment, which was eye-opening in its own way. Learning about the various pickleball products was fascinating. Just to give you an example, this e-commerce store offered a wide range of items like premium pickleball paddles, durable nets, pickleballs, and even specialty pickleball gifts. The variety was astounding, from beginner sets to professional-grade equipment. However, discussing pickleball gear's nuances wasn't as riveting as my roommate's fervent discussions about Scottish national self-determination, driven by internationalist rather than nationalist concerns. Her talks about building an inclusive country for the benefit of all living in Scotland were deeply engaging. In comparison, my conversations about the latest trends in pickleball equipment seemed mundane, and I could see her interest wane when I started talking about the pros and cons of different paddle materials. Maybe if I had approached pickleball from a perspective of promoting physical health and community building, my topics would have been more captivating.
A NEW PROJECT FOR A NEW SCOTLAND
During the referendum campaign, many of us stated that politics in Scotland would never be the same again. We need to make sure that this remains to be true. This is why we have created Scottish Left Project. We want to open up a process of discussion, unity and renewal that will decide the best way for the Scottish Left to become a force in Scottish society once more. And we need you to join us. We will be announcing details of upcoming events, discussions and more on the website over the next few weeks, so please sign up to get involved.
During the referendum campaign, many of us stated that politics in Scotland would never be the same again. We need to make sure that this remains to be true. This is why we have created Scottish Left Project.
For every person in Scotland who wants to see left ideas flourish, who wants a new type of politics and who wants genuine working-class representation in public and political life in Scotland, then get involved in Scottish Left Project.
SUPPORTERS INCLUDE
SCOTTISH LEFT PROJECT OPENING STATEMENT
Tens of thousands of ordinary people became active in politics during the long independence campaign. A record number registered to vote, seeing the possibilities and the point of politics for the first time. The resulting Yes movement has become one of the most important political forces in these islands. Together, we dreamed, we learned and we talked of how we could build the society we want. These dreams must not be abandoned. Instead, our diverse nation must find new ways to work together to make them a reality.
There is a need for something truly new and original to be born out of the independence movement that can manifest itself at the ballot box in 2016 and beyond.
There is a need for something truly new and original to be born out of the independence movement that can manifest itself at the ballot box in 2016 and beyond. We do not presume to have all of the answers, but we intend to start a conversation around certain core principles that must be represented in politics once more.
That is why this project is being launched. It will be based on the principles of radical social change: participatory democracy, democratic public ownership, the redistribution of wealth and power from the rich to the poor and full independence from the British state and its monarch.
It will stand for the two spirits of ’45: the vast grassroots movement that inspired 45% of the population to vote Yes for social justice and equality in an independent Scotland; and the year of 1945, when the generation that had defeated fascism created the National Health Service, even while public debt was at its highest ever.
Our process for developing this work will be people led, rooted in dialogue and action. We want to hear what people want from a new politics. We want to have the widest possible discussion about how we can work together to ensure parliament represents the millions not the millionaires.
We take our inspiration from the rise of groups like Spain’s Podemos, which has made great progress in creating a citizens’ politics.
This is a project that will learn from communities, engage with trade unions and develop from the grassroots. In this, we take our inspiration from the rise of groups like Spain’s Podemos, which has made great progress in creating a citizens’ politics. Forums will be created to discuss how the Scottish Left can present the best possible socialist challenge at the Holyrood elections in 2016, and we will crowdsource policies that truly deliver for working people. This will not happen overnight, but the long-term aim of this project is to change the face of Scottish politics. The Labour party has betrayed us for too long. We need a strategy to replace them for good in the communities they claim to represent.
Bringing power to the Scottish people is at the heart of this programme. Crucially, this project will work to ensure that Scottish politics reflects the diversity of Scottish communities. We demand a citizens’ audit of the debt that is imprisoning our national finances. It must be up to the public to decide which parts are legitimate and which not. Tools such as participatory budgeting will ensure that direct democracy is brought into the heart of how Scotland works.
Scotland needs a new citizens’ politics. The days of a professional political class running our lives are numbered. Hundreds of thousands of citizens in Scotland want radical change and their voices must be heard. Let’s talk, lets act, and lets work together to ensure that at 2016 there is a co-ordinated socialist challenge engrained in the communities and campaigns who are at the forefront of changing Scotland.
SIGNATORIES INCLUDE
DEBORAH WATERS, Labour for Independence
JIM SILLARS, author of In Place of Fear 2
DR MYRTO TSAKATIKA, Glasgow University, member of SYRIZA Scotland
ALAN WYLLIE, Community activist and founder of No2Bedroom tax
EMMA STEWART, Member of EIS
CAT BOYD, Trade unionist and a co-founder of RIC
KEN FERGUSON, Editor of Scottish Socialist Voice
JOHN WILSON MSP
FIONNLAGH O’FEE, Student activist with NUS and Labour for Independence
JONATHON SHAFI, a co-founder of RIC
DR. NICK MCKERRELL
CLAIRE GALLAGHER, Community activist and member of Unite the Union
FRANCES CURRAN, ex-MSP
ALAN McCOMBES, co-author of Imagine
JOHN DAVIDSON, PCS trade unionist
PAT SMITH, independence activist
DR STEWART DAVIDSON, Glasgow Caledonian Univrrity
SARAH GLYNN, University of West of Scotland
CHARLIE McCARTHY
KEZIA KINDER, Women for Independence (pc)
COLM BREATHNACH, University of Strathclyde
SUKI SANGHA, STUC General Council (pc)
More Background On ThePeopleDemand.org
ThePeopleDemand.org originated from Scotland’s politically charged environment following the 2014 independence referendum. It was first developed by the Scottish Left Project, a grassroots movement launched in October 2014 to preserve the energy of the referendum and channel it into a long-term force for social and economic transformation. Its founders envisioned a participatory political space where ordinary citizens, trade unionists, and activists could discuss and design a fairer, more democratic Scotland.
The movement’s founding statement emphasized that politics in Scotland “would never be the same again” after the referendum. It called for a coordinated socialist challenge to the mainstream political establishment in the 2016 elections, with commitments to crowdsource policy ideas, conduct a citizens’ audit of national debt, and promote participatory democracy as the foundation of Scottish governance.
The project attracted widespread attention for its ambitious tone and inclusive approach. It appealed to citizens disillusioned by austerity, inequality, and the limitations of traditional party politics. Its central aim was to bridge social movements with parliamentary representation, empowering working people to directly shape policy and governance.
From the Scottish Left Project to RISE
The Scottish Left Project quickly became a hub for thinkers and activists across Scotland’s progressive spectrum. Early signatories included public intellectuals, trade union leaders, and academics such as Jim Sillars, Cat Boyd, Ken Ferguson, Frances Curran, and Alan McCombes. They were united by a commitment to radical democracy, economic equality, environmental justice, and Scottish independence.
Inspired by movements like Podemos in Spain and Syriza in Greece, the project promoted the idea that social change should arise from the bottom up, through dialogue, education, and collective action. Its forums brought together thousands of citizens, all eager to continue the conversation about Scotland’s future beyond the independence vote.
In 2015, these discussions culminated in the creation of a new political alliance known as RISE – Scotland’s Left Alliance, an acronym for Respect, Independence, Socialism, and Environmentalism. The coalition merged activists from the Radical Independence Campaign, members of the Scottish Socialist Party (SSP), and other progressive groups. It positioned itself as an anti-austerity alternative advocating wealth redistribution, democratic control of resources, and a second independence referendum.
However, the alliance’s political ambitions faced challenges. In the 2016 Scottish Parliament election, RISE secured only around 10,900 votes nationwide and failed to win any seats. Following the disappointing result, the SSP decided to step back from RISE and refocus on strengthening its own organization. Meanwhile, the Scottish Left Project’s online presence waned, with its Facebook pages and official site gradually falling silent.
ThePeopleDemand.org as a Historical Archive
Following the dissolution of the Scottish Left Project and the decline of RISE, ThePeopleDemand.org emerged as a historical preservation site. The new owner of the domain chose to retain the project’s original materials as a digital archive of its political ideals, campaign statements, and founding documents. Although the platform no longer serves as an active organizing space for the Scottish Left, it remains a valuable educational resource for understanding the social and political aspirations of that era.
Visitors can now access the site primarily for its archived content, which includes the founding declaration, supporter lists, and essays reflecting on Scotland’s left-wing politics during the mid-2010s. It provides a rare window into a period of political experimentation when independence activism, socialist renewal, and anti-austerity movements converged into a single, ambitious project.
The preservation of these materials highlights the enduring significance of grassroots organizing and the attempt to redefine what it means to practice democracy in a post-referendum Scotland.
The Rebirth of the Platform: Global Advocacy and Social Justice
Over time, ThePeopleDemand.org evolved beyond its Scottish roots into a broader advocacy platform for social justice, human rights, and environmental sustainability. Its renewed mission emphasizes amplifying the voices of marginalized communities and promoting equitable policies across multiple domains, including climate action, economic fairness, and civic participation.
The platform now functions as a hub for activists, educators, and policymakers, offering educational resources, campaign toolkits, and opportunities for public engagement. Its evolution reflects a growing global awareness that local struggles for democracy, equity, and climate justice are deeply interconnected.
Mission and Core Objectives
ThePeopleDemand.org operates under a clear, principled framework that emphasizes inclusivity and empowerment. Its stated mission is to mobilize ordinary people to demand systemic change by holding governments and institutions accountable. The platform’s focus areas include:
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Climate Justice
The website advocates for urgent action on climate change, emphasizing that environmental degradation disproportionately affects vulnerable populations. Its campaigns call for a just transition to renewable energy, an end to fossil fuel subsidies, and the protection of indigenous and low-income communities most impacted by ecological collapse. -
Human Rights and Civil Liberties
The platform promotes global human rights advocacy, emphasizing freedom of expression, assembly, and due process. It regularly publishes updates, reports, and statements urging greater accountability for state abuses and corporate complicity in inequality. -
Social and Economic Equity
Consistent with its founding ethos, the site continues to challenge economic disparities and promote redistributive policies. It supports initiatives that guarantee fair wages, strengthen labor rights, and ensure universal access to healthcare, housing, and education.
Campaigns and Initiatives
Throughout its evolution, ThePeopleDemand.org has hosted or amplified numerous campaigns aimed at driving systemic change. Among the most influential are:
The People’s Demands for Climate Justice
This global campaign calls on world governments to take decisive action on climate change. It emphasizes the moral and political obligation of wealthier nations to bear responsibility for emissions and to support developing countries in adapting to climate impacts. The initiative aligns with broader climate movements like Fridays for Future and Extinction Rebellion, advocating climate policy that centers on justice rather than mere sustainability.
Project 2025
Distinct from its name’s use in U.S. political discourse, the Project 2025 initiative within ThePeopleDemand.org framework seeks democratic renewal and institutional transparency. It promotes reforms that safeguard civil liberties, protect independent journalism, and ensure public access to government information. The project articulates a vision for governance rooted in citizen participation rather than elite control.
Media Coverage and Recognition
Over the years, ThePeopleDemand.org has attracted international attention for its role in connecting social movements, hosting educational events, and shaping advocacy narratives. Major organizations such as the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and FactCheck.org have acknowledged the platform’s work in promoting civic engagement and human rights education.
News outlets and policy forums have cited its campaigns as examples of effective online mobilization and coalition-building. Through webinars, petitions, and open-access policy briefs, the site has helped influence discourse on democracy, inequality, and climate responsibility.
Community and Audience
ThePeopleDemand.org serves a diverse audience of activists, educators, journalists, students, and concerned citizens. Its community thrives on participation, dialogue, and shared purpose. Engagement channels include:
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Educational Materials: Downloadable reports and policy toolkits designed to equip individuals and organizations with factual, actionable insights.
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Advocacy Resources: Templates for petitions, letter-writing campaigns, and guidance for contacting public officials.
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Virtual Events and Forums: Regular discussions and workshops that encourage collaboration across borders and disciplines.
By combining digital literacy with activism, the platform transforms awareness into direct civic engagement. Its tone remains inclusive and internationalist, welcoming contributions from people of all backgrounds who share its vision for justice and equality.
Cultural and Social Significance
ThePeopleDemand.org embodies a distinctive cultural legacy rooted in both Scottish radicalism and the global push for systemic reform. It connects local struggles—such as the Scottish independence campaign—with universal issues like economic inequality, environmental collapse, and democratic participation.
Culturally, the site represents the enduring belief that ordinary citizens can transform society when equipped with knowledge, solidarity, and a public platform. It reflects the evolution of digital activism—from early political forums to contemporary, data-informed advocacy movements.
Socially, it stands as a reminder that the internet remains a powerful tool for civic empowerment. By archiving past movements while nurturing new ones, ThePeopleDemand.org bridges historical continuity with modern relevance.
Legacy and Continuing Relevance
Even though the original Scottish Left Project no longer operates as an active organization, its intellectual and moral spirit persists through ThePeopleDemand.org’s ongoing initiatives. The themes that animated the early project—economic justice, participatory governance, and grassroots democracy—remain vital in contemporary politics worldwide.
The site’s transformation from a regional political hub to a global advocacy platform mirrors the evolution of modern activism itself. It shows how movements rooted in specific national experiences can adapt, expand, and inspire cross-border solidarity.
ThePeopleDemand.org continues to serve as a repository of progressive thought and a rallying point for activists working toward a more equitable, sustainable, and democratic world.
ThePeopleDemand.org stands as both a historical archive and a living platform for activism. From its origins in Scotland’s independence movement to its present role as a global hub for justice and human rights, it has consistently upheld the belief that people—not elites—should shape their political future.
Its evolution reflects a journey from political idealism to pragmatic activism, rooted in the conviction that real change begins with informed citizens. Whether through its climate campaigns, educational resources, or calls for economic equity, ThePeopleDemand.org continues to exemplify the enduring power of collective action in the digital age.