Scotland is closer to independence today than it was in 2014, Swinney stresses

SNP leader John Swinney made this statement at an event marking the 10th anniversary of the historic vote in which 55 percent of voters rejected independence and voted to remain in the United Kingdom.

Mr Swinney hailed the referendum as a “moment of enormous significance” in Scotland’s recent history and claimed there was “real excitement” in the country during the election campaign.

A decade later, supporters of independence must try to regain that “sense of hope, optimism and possibility that was so widespread ten years ago,” he said.

His comments come as the SNP seeks to recover from its defeat in the 2024 general election – its first electoral defeat in Scotland since 2010.

Despite the result, which saw the number of SNP MPs fall from 48 in 2019 to just nine, Mr Swinney said Scotland was closer to independence today than it was a decade ago – because of the powers given to Holyrood in the referendum.

The Scottish Parliament was given more power over income tax and welfare spending in Scotland and Mr Swinney said that as a result: “We have made a difference to the lives of people in Scotland.”

Speaking at the Edinburgh event, he added: “People can see that as a result of the pressure to gain more powers here in Scotland, we have built even further on the successes and strengths we have already created.”

“People can see the positive impact of the decisions being made here in Scotland.”

He added that the “challenge” for independence supporters now is to convince more Scots that their priorities can be better achieved outside the UK.

Mr Swinney said: “I think we are closer to that goal than we were in 2014.”

The SNP leader stressed that Scotland “could make better decisions than Westminster” and added: “Our job is to make independence relevant to the everyday concerns of every citizen in Scotland.”

He cited the creation of a “more progressive” income tax system and a social security system in Scotland, centred on “fairness and compassion”, as two key areas that had changed as a result of the transfer of powers in the independence referendum.

He attacked the new Labour government in Westminster, claiming that the SNP would abolish the two-child cap on some welfare benefits if it had the power to do so.

Mr Swinney said: “We will work to ensure that all decisions are made with the best interests of the people of Scotland in mind.”

“And make no mistake, we will use these powers.

“If (Prime Minister Sir) Keir Starmer and Labour don’t want to abolish the two-child limit, give us the power and the SNP will do it.”

The First Minister further claimed that Sir Keir’s government had effectively undermined Labour’s arguments against independence.

Mr Swinney said: “For ten years – ten long years – Labour told us we didn’t need independence. We just needed to get rid of the Tories.”

“Well, it took Keir Starmer less than ten weeks to completely refute that argument.

“Labour has not promised further austerity – instead they will deepen it.

“Labour promised to protect pensioners – but instead it has cut their winter heating allowances.

“They promised everyone they would reduce their energy bills. Instead, they will go up by an average of £150.”

“The problem for Scotland is not just an incredibly damaging Tory government in Westminster.

“We now have an incredibly damaging Labour government in Westminster.”

He stressed that decisions made in Scotland were making the country “fairer”, while decisions made in Westminster were “holding Scotland back”.

He said that after a “long, dark decade – a decade of austerity, Brexit, a cost of living crisis and a global pandemic” – it was time for Scotland to focus on what it could achieve in the future.

“As we look to 2026 and beyond, we should look to the progressive, compassionate and ambitious country we all want to see,” he said.

The First Minister told her supporters that the party must “keep going and show the better alternative to remaining in the United Kingdom”.

“The people of Scotland want to be empowered and inspired,” he added.

“It is up to us to do this.

“Today, in 2024, we must rekindle the sense of hope, optimism and possibility that was so widespread ten years ago.”