KATE Forbes has said that there is a “credible path” forward for Scottish independence.
Speaking at an event in London organised by the Institute for Government, the Deputy First Minister said it was a “battle of vision for Scotland” between pro-independence and Unionist parties and supporters.
“Yes, there is a credible path forward,” she said.
“The two points I would make in that regard is that irrespective of what happened to the SNP in the most recent election, support for independence has largely remained resilient.” she said.
“That illustrates, I think, that a significant component of the Scottish public continues to support independence.”
A recent poll, carried out by FindOutNow on behalf of the Alba Party, found 52% of people supported Yes and 48% said they would vote to remain in the Union with “don’t knows” removed.
A separate survey by The Sunday Times – carried out by Norstat (formerly known as Panelbase) – also found support for independence in a slight lead at 47.4% against No on 46.9%.
Forbes said that the opportunity – given that support remains “resilient” – is to “try and increase those figures by illustrating a compelling vision for Scotland's future” as an independent country.
She added: “And I think what's fascinating is that people voted for change in the last election.
“And if you look at some of the polling figures, [support for] Scottish Labour had fallen by seven points – suggesting that they would return 29 MSPs and the SNP would return 51.”
Forbes went on: “The constitution remains live. The constitution remains important. And it is really a battle of vision for Scotland.”
At the London event, the MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch also highlighted the importance of a rural visa scheme for parts of Scotland suffering from depopulation – and called on the UK Government to take action.
“We have been working and put to the UK Government a pilot rural workers visa,” she said.
“That is sitting on the desk of the new UK Government. There's been some different messaging coming in terms of their support or not for a Scottish visa.
“So, these are the things where we will be able to test that relationship in terms of whether they are willing to do things that are distinctive and that meet a need in the Scottish economy.”
