Author, academic, carer, teacher and law student, Alan McManus is the Sovereignty candidate for Cumbernauld & Kilsyth, standing for Liberate Scotland on the Central Scotland & Lothians West regional list.

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Growing up in a 1960’s Glasgow overspill housing scheme in Kirkintilloch, ‘Dr McManus’ uses his title on social media to avoid his celebrated namesake being blamed for Alan’s forthright views on the UK and devolved government overreach of executive power, especially since 2020, resulting in increasing limitation of individual rights: especially of freedom of expression and association.

A lifelong advocate for animal welfare and a keen organic gardener, Alan opposes the cruelty of factory farming and the poisoning of the land, water, plants, fish, animals and people, by the indiscriminate use of pesticides and plastics. Canvassing for Freedom Alliance in rural Kintyre in 2023, farmers warned Alan of the coming food crisis, so even as a vegan he understands the slogan: “no farmers, no food!”

Alan has written several books on topics of ethical controversy and tries to see both sides and explore common ground: like pro-life and pro-choice women working together to support mothers under severe socio-economic pressure. As an amateur actor, cyclist and sailor, Alan wants to see Scots of all ages have the opportunity to thrive – in an independent Scotland!