The SNP has challenged the leaders of the pro-Westminster opposition parties to explain why they support continued Westminster control over Scotland’s future when Britain is performing so poorly in relation to our European neighbours.
The challenge comes after the launch this week of the first in a series of Scottish Government papers to refresh the case for independence.
The SNP says Douglas Ross and Anas Sarwar have key questions to answer, including why are independent countries of Scotland’s size:
Wealthier than the UK
More equal than the UK
More productive than the UK
Commenting, SNP MSP Rona Mackay said:
“Douglas Ross and Anas Sarwar continue to prioritise protecting Westminster control over the best interests of the people they are meant to protect.
“So the people of Scotland deserve an explanation why from both Labour and Tory branch office managers.
“It is absolutely clear that Scotland is being held back by Westminster control and Brexit is making us poorer.
“It’s also clear the reason for that is that Scotland is tied to a failing Westminster system and denied access to the powers of independence.
“If Douglas Ross and Anas Sarwar don’t agree that is the reason, then they should explain why neighbouring independent countries of Scotland’s size are wealthier, more equal and more productive than the UK.
“You don’t have to be an independence supporter to see successive Westminster governments’ disastrous mismanagement as a problem and an ongoing concern.
“You don’t even have to be from Scotland.
“The UK has a long-term problem relative to neighbouring countries it should be able to compete with on international terms.
“The Scottish Government paper paints a grim picture, based on independent research, of the failings of the UK state and the potential of independence.
“Instead of being held back under Westminster control, independence will put all the levers of change into the hands of a Scottish Government we vote for and one which will always put Scotland’s interests first.”
