What is Sovereignty?

Sovereignty is the ultimate source of political authority in a nation. It is the power to make fundamental decisions about how a country is governed and by whom.

In Scotland, sovereignty does not rest with Westminster, Holyrood, or the Crown. It rests with the people of Scotland. This is not political rhetoric—it is a constitutionally grounded principle with deep historical roots.

The Declaration of Arbroath (1320)

The Declaration of Arbroath established a principle that has defined Scottish constitutional thought for over 700 years: that kings and leaders serve at the will of the people, and can be removed if they fail to uphold that responsibility.

This was a revolutionary idea in 1320—and it remains the foundation of Scotland's claim to popular sovereignty today.

Claims of Right

Throughout history, Scotland has repeatedly asserted popular sovereignty through formal Claims of Right:

• 1689 - Established that monarchs ruled by consent, not divine right
• 1989 - Reaffirmed Scotland's right to determine its own constitutional future

Why This Matters Now

If sovereignty rests with the people of Scotland, then Scotland does not require permission from Westminster to determine its political future. The authority is inherent—not granted, and not capable of being withheld.

Understanding sovereignty is the first step toward exercising it.

What's in the Booklet?

The Project Arbroath booklet makes the constitutional case for Scottish independence without requiring Westminster's permission. It explains:

• How popular sovereignty works in Scotland
• The history of the 1707 Union and why it doesn't bind us
• Why referendums are useful but not required
• A practical path forward based on democratic mandates

Get the Booklet

Here are the number of booklets you'll receive for your donations. Booklets are listed below in packs or boxes.
If you want more than one pack, use the quantity box.

If you need more, please email [email protected]

Why Elections Matter

Elections are one of the ways sovereignty is expressed. The 2026 Scottish Parliament elections offer a crucial opportunity—but only if voters understand how the system actually works.

Two Votes, Two Purposes

Each voter receives two ballots:

• Constituency Vote (First Vote): Elects your local MSP using First Past the Post. The candidate with the most votes wins.
• Regional List Vote (Second Vote): Uses the D'Hondt system to allocate 56 regional seats across Scotland's 8 regions, designed to balance overall representation.

The Critical Misunderstanding

Many voters believe the second vote is a "backup" for their first choice. This is incorrect. The second vote operates under completely different mathematics.

Parties that win many constituency seats are heavily penalised in the regional allocation. This means voting for a dominant party on the regional list is often ineffective.

What is D'Hondt?

The D'Hondt method is a mathematical formula used to allocate the 56 regional seats in the Scottish Parliament. It's designed to make overall representation more proportional to vote share.

How It Works

For each regional seat to be allocated:

1. Each party's regional votes are divided by (constituency seats won + 1)
2. The party with the highest result wins that regional seat
3. The process repeats until all 7 regional seats are allocated

The Practical Impact

This creates a critical dynamic: parties with many constituency seats find it very difficult to win regional seats.

For example, if the SNP wins 9 out of 9 constituency seats in a region, their regional votes are divided by 10. This makes it nearly impossible for them to win additional regional MSPs, even with substantial vote share.

Understanding Your Power

The second vote is where supporters of independence can maximise pro-independence representation by voting for parties that won few or no constituency seats.

This isn't tactical voting—it's understanding how the system works and using your sovereignty effectively.

How the Second Vote Works

Watch our explainer video to understand how the D'Hondt system allocates regional seats and why your second vote matters.

After watching the video, try the interactive calculator to see how different voting scenarios affect seat allocation.

Your donation supports the printing and distribution of Project Arbroath booklets. Every contribution helps spread understanding of Scotland's sovereignty.