Swinney: Only independence can fix UK's broken system

The Herald Scotland

5 hours ago

An independent Scotland, he will add, is "within reach."
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Last week, The Herald revealed that senior SNP figures had warned the First Minister he had two weeks to do more to push Scottish independence or face a potential leadership challenge at the party's conference in October.
Some party critics argue he is not doing enough to make the case for independence—failing to energise members or mobilise the SNP's core vote in seats like Hamilton, where Labour won by just 602 votes.
Mr Swinney scrapped Humza Yousaf's minister for independence and ended Nicola Sturgeon's series of Scottish Government independence papers.
One source told The Herald: 'The ability to make the case for independence is not a desirable part of the job description — it is essential — and he has failed on probation."
Over the weekend, MSPs loyal to the First Minister told the Sunday Times that the SNP would need a fresh independence offer in time for next year's Holyrood election.
In his speech to the Scotland 2050 conference, Mr Swinney is expected to say: 'It is only by taking charge of our own destiny, with our own hand on the tiller, that we are better able to ride the waves of change, that we are better able to shape our own future.
'I have long believed that Scotland is an afterthought to successive UK governments. Scotland is not on Westminster's radar in the same way, say, as London, the Midlands or the South East.
'It holds us back in ways big and small, leaving us waiting and praying, hoping that decisions taken at Westminster are not too damaging.
'We are prey to a broken system and a failing economic model—a system that delivers for a very few at the very top, while living standards stagnate and real wages are squeezed for the vast majority.
'All this when we have the capacity to stand and flourish on our own two feet.'
He will argue that independence is the 'defining choice for this generation' because the status quo 'has proved itself incapable of delivering on the hopes and ambitions of the people of Scotland.'
'That is why, like a clear majority of Scots, I believe that our nation should have the right to choose.
'A Scotland that is modern, dynamic and forward-looking, living in anticipation of what more can be done, what else can be achieved. Moving forward as one, moving forward with hope and self-belief.
'Such a Scotland is within reach, I have no doubt. But if we want it, we have to work for it, we have to vote for it, we have to actively, purposefully, and I hope also joyfully, make it happen.'
The most recent Norstat poll for the Sunday Times had support for leaving the UK at 54%.
The eight-point lead—excluding don't knows—increased to 16 points if people were asked to imagine Nigel Farage as Prime Minister.
The lead was also 20 points higher than support for the SNP.
However, polling also shows that the constitution is not a top priority for Scots, who are generally more concerned about health, the economy and education.
There is also seemingly little prospect of a second referendum in the near future. Earlier this month, Sir Keir Starmer said he could not imagine one taking place during his time as Prime Minister.
Asked if there would be another independence referendum if a nationalist majority emerged after next year's Holyrood election, Sir Keir said: 'I think it's really important to focus on the priorities that matter most.
'We got a big election win last year on the basis that we would stabilise the economy and ensure that on that foundation we build a stronger Scotland in a stronger United Kingdom, and that's what I intend to do.'
Pressed further, he said: 'No, and nobody's raising that with me as their first priority.
'Certainly, in the discussions I'm having with the First Minister, that is not—we're talking about jobs, energy, security, and dealing with the cost-of-living crisis.'
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Meanwhile, in his speech to the Scotland 2050 summit, Anas Sarwar will say it is time to move on from the 'same old arguments.'
The Scottish Labour leader is expected to say: 'All of us have a stake in the future of our country and all of us want to see a thriving and fairer Scotland in 2050.
'But if we want Scotland to thrive by 2050 then we face a choice—are we going to be a Scotland that is having the same old arguments and talking about only what Scotland cannot do, or are we going to have a hopeful, outward-looking Scotland that is maximising our potential?
'That is the choice before us, and to make sure we thrive by 2050, we need to reject the old ideas and divisions now.
'That is why I am clear that we need big, bold, meaningful change to deliver a brighter future for Scotland.
'That is why Scottish Labour has bold plans to fix our NHS, renew our public services, fix our schools, end the housing crisis and unlock the potential of our businesses.
'This is the choice we face—managed decline with the SNP or a new direction and a thriving Scotland with Scottish Labour.'