Scotland’s First Minister has insisted that the country is “closer than ever” to becoming independent, at a bizarre event commemorating his party’s 2014 defeat in the referendum on the issue.
John Swinney made the comments on the 10th anniversary of the vote, which saw 55 percent of voters reject independence and back Scotland remaining part of the United Kingdom.
It also comes just only a months after the SNP – which has made independence central to its message – haemorrhaged seats in the national vote on July 4, dropping from 48 in 2019 to just nine this time round. The result meant Labour replaced the SNP as the country’s largest party with 37 seats.
But despite recent blows to the indyref movement, Swinney told attendees in Edinburgh that Scotland is now in a stronger position due to powers Holyrood gained following the referendum including on income tax and welfare spending.
As a result, “we have made a difference in the lives of people in Scotland”, Swinney said.
“People can see as a consequence of the pressure to get more powers here in Scotland we have added to the achievements and the strengths we have already put in place,” he added. “People can see the positive impact of decisions being taken here in Scotland.”
He acknowledged that the “challenge” for independence supporters will be to convince other Scots that leaving the UK will make the country better placed to address their priorities.
The SNP leader said he thinks “we are closer to achieving that than we were in 2014,” insisting that Holyrood “could be taking better decisions than Westminster”.
“Our job is to make independence relevant to the everyday concerns of every citizen in Scotland”, Swinney added.
He also urged Labour to give Scotland more control, saying: “If Keir Starmer and Labour won’t abolish the two-child cap, give us the powers and the SNP will.”
Swinney also claimed that Labour has all but destroyed its own argument against Scottish Independence. “For 10 years – 10 long years – Labour told us we don’t need independence,” he said. “All we need to do is get rid of the Tories.
“Well, it’s taken Keir Starmer less than 10 weeks to completely demolish that argument,” he continued. “Labour promised no more austerity – but instead they’re going to intensify it.
“Labour promised to protect pensioners – but instead they’ve robbed them of their winter fuel payment. They promised everyone they would cut their energy bills. Instead they are set to rise by an average of £150.
“The problem for Scotland is not just an incredibly damaging Westminster Tory government. We now have an incredibly damaging Westminster Labour Government.”
Since Labour took power, Chancellor Rachel Reeves has been insisting that the party “inherited the worst set of circumstances since the second world war” due to years of Tory mismanagement, which the Conservative Party denies.
Ms Reeves and Sir Keir insisted painful cuts, such as the winter fuel payment move are neccessary to tackle the £22bn fiscal “black hole” it was claims the previous government left.
