JOHN Swinney is expected to say the independence movement must “reawaken the sense of optimism” seen during 2014, in a speech to mark the 10-year anniversary of the first referendum.
The First Minister is expected to give a speech in Edinburgh on Wednesday morning, where he will be introduced by Scottish writer Sara Sheridan.
Speaking to pro-independence campaigners, John Swinney (below) is set to reflect on the results of the 2014 referendum.
“For all of us who worked so hard for a Yes vote, the excitement of the campaign turned to heartbreak as the declarations started pouring in,” he is expected to say.
“As parliament returned I spoke to many leading figures in the No campaign.
“They were gracious, and they were understanding, that lifelong independence campaigners like me were truly hurting at that moment.”
He will add that in the days after the referendum, campaigners “picked themselves up, dusted themselves down, and looked to the future with a renewed determination”.
“Many of the grassroots campaign groups didn’t melt away. They stuck together, and they continued working in – and for – their communities.
“New friendships had been forged, and a new sense of possibility planted in the minds of thousands of people.
“That sense of empowerment resonates to this day.
“And that’s why, even though I was devastated by the result, I am in no doubt that Scotland’s independence referendum has left an overwhelmingly positive legacy on our country.
“And we – the Scottish National Party – should be incredibly proud that, together, we made that happen.
The First Minister is also expected to reflect on the “long dark decade” which followed the referendum, from austerity and Brexit to a cost of living crisis and a pandemic.
He will say: “As a nation, we can’t just regret the things that we cannot do – it is time for us to start focusing again on the things that we can. And that is exactly what we are going to do.
“It starts by reawakening the sense of optimism, of hope and of possibility that was so prevalent throughout Scotland in 2014.
“We must lead by example, and we will.”
'Scotland's best days lie ahead'
Meanwhile, Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar said in a statement on Wednesday that “Scotland’s best days lie ahead of us”.
Marking the referendum anniversary, Sarwar (below) said the people of Scotland had lived through a “decade of turbulence, division and decline in our politics”.
The Scottish Labour leader is now looking ahead to the Holyrood 2026 election, after the party won 37 seats in the General Election on July 4.
He said: “We now have a chance clear up the mess that was left by the Tories and, in 2026, we hope to have the opportunity to begin the work of clearing up the mess left by the SNP.
“Because, unlike our political opponents, Scottish Labour firmly believes that Scotland’s best days lie ahead of us. I believe a different future is possible.
“I don’t care how people voted in the past – what I care about is the better and fairer Scotland that we can build together.
“Let’s work together so we can deliver the change we all need and usher in a decade of national renewal for Scotland.”
