SNP and Greens join independence march ahead of Holyrood election

SNP leader John Swinney and the Scottish Green party's co-leaders joined thousands of independence marchers in Edinburgh, on the first weekend of Holyrood election campaigning. The politicians were joined on the Royal Mile by Succession star Brian Cox, broadcaster Lesley Riddoch and human rights lawyer Aamer Anwar. Independence campaigners from across Scotland took part in the event, which concluded with a rally on Calton Hill. Opposition candidates have dismissed calls for a fresh referendum and criticised the SNP's record in government. But Swinney told the rally that independence was the "prize before us" should the party win a majority on 7 May. He said the UK establishment was broken and Scotland was "paying the price". Swinney added: "In one of the most energy-rich countries in the world, people pay some of the highest energy bills in Europe. "It does not add up. And yet it is the reality for people right across this country. Westminster has failed." Last October SNP members backed Swinney's plan to declare a mandate for a second independence referendum, if the party wins a majority of seats. The previous vote in 2014 came after the SNP won an historic Holyrood majority in th