Nicola Sturgeon has outlined plans to stage another Scottish independence referendum with the publication of the first in a series of papers which will present the pro-independence case.
Speaking at Bute House yesterday (Tuesday), the First Minister launched the latest paper – titled Wealthier, Happier, Fairer: Why Not Scotland? – in which she said that “independence in itself does not guarantee success for any country”, adding that “the aspiration of a wealthier, fairer and more successful country will depend on democratic decisions made post-independence and the good stewardship of governments elected”.
She said that it is “time to set a different and better vision for Scotland”.
The publication sets out an analysis of the UK’s performance across a range of economic and social indicators relative to that of ten European countries – Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Norway, Iceland, Ireland, Switzerland, Austria, Belgium and the Netherlands.
Ms Sturgeon said that the case for independence is stronger today than it was at the time of the previous referendum in 2014.
In the 2014 independence referendum Stirling voted ‘No’ overall with 25,010 in favour of independence outnumbered by 37,153 who sided with the No campaign.
More than 3.6 million Scots took to the polls. The ‘No’ campaign were victorious, with 2,001,926 (55.3 per cent) of the vote share. The ‘Yes’ campaign received 1,617,989 (44.7 per cent) votes.
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During a briefing yesterday Ms Sturgeon said: “Independence in itself does not guarantee success for any country. For Scotland, the aspiration of a wealthier, fairer and more successful country will depend on democratic decisions made post-independence and the good stewardship of governments elected.
“But the point is this: in an independent Scotland, crucial decision-making power will rest with the people who live here – not with Westminster governments that do not command the support of people in Scotland, and which pursue policies, for example, Brexit, that are deeply damaging to Scotland’s interests.”
Stirling SNP MSP Evelyn Tweed said: “The Scottish Government has a clear democratic mandate to deliver an independence referendum in this term of Parliament.
“It may be a strange concept to Westminster politicians, but we intend to follow through on our commitments. The challenges facing Stirling and Scotland are vast – with Brexit inflicting huge damage on our trade, tourism and public services.
“I firmly believe it’s for the people of Scotland to determine how we navigate these future decades and embrace the opportunities we have, without one hand held behind our backs.
“Westminster rule has not delivered for Stirling, and we can’t afford further delay, incompetence or obstruction.
“It’s time to get on with the job, of building a fairer, greener and more prosperous Stirling and Scotland for us all.”
However, Mid Scotland and Fife Tory MSP Alexander Stewart said the “distraction and disruption of another bitter referendum debate is the last thing Scotland needs just now”.
Mr Stewart added: “Nicola Sturgeon should be completely focused on helping people through this difficult period, not diverting valuable government resources and vast sums of public money towards the SNP’s selfish and narrow-minded obsession.
“Clearly she is recklessly and wilfully ignoring Scotland’s priorities to push ahead with plans for a second divisive referendum in 2023, which is nothing short of shameful when the country is facing so many momentous challenges.
“The vast majority of Scottish people just do not want the distraction of another referendum; they want the Scottish government 100 per cent focused on our recovery from the pandemic, the global cost-of-living crisis, supporting our NHS including A&E, cancer and critical illness care; as well as building ferries, ensuring our trains are running and ultimately protecting our jobs and our communities, not driving them apart.”
