The new Scotland Independence is about making Scotland more successful. At its most basic, it is the ability to take our own decisions, in the same way as other countries do. Scotland is a society and a nation. No one cares more about Scotlands success than the people who live here and that, ultimately, is why independence is the best choice for our future. With independence we can work together to make Scotland a more ambitious and dynamic country. We can create an environment where our existing and new industries grow more strongly. We would have the economic levers to create new jobs and take full advantage of our second, green energy windfall. And instead of many young people having to leave Scotland to fulfill their ambitions, they would be able to stay and take advantage of the increased opportunities here. We will have the powers to address the priorities of people in Scotland, from pensions to childcare. Scotland could do even more to lead the world in areas like renewable energy and tackling climate change, and play our part in creating a more peaceful and stable world. Independence will allow us to make Scotland a better place to live. And independence will mean a strong, new relationship between Scotland and the rest of the UK. It will create a partnership of equals - a social union to replace the current political union. Independence means Scotland will always get the governments we elect, and the Queen will be our Head of State, the pound will be our currency and you will still be watching your favourite programmes on TV. As members of the EU there will be open borders, shared rights, free trade and extensive cooperation. The big difference will be that Scotlands future will be in our own hands. Instead of only deciding some issues here in Scotland, independence will allow us to take decisions on all the major issues. That is the reality of independence in this interdependent world. Scotland gets 9.3% of UK spending, but generates 9.9% of UK taxes. Scotlands finances are stronger than the UKs as a whole to the tune of £4.4 billion - thats £824 for every man, woman and child in Scotland. Figures released in January 2012 by City firm M&G Investments showed that Scotland’s debt as a percentage of national wealth was smaller than the UK’s. For Scotland it was 56%, for the UK 63% - as the report said, Scotland’s starting point looks better than the UK as a whole. And thanks to North Sea oil and gas, worth up to £1.5 trillion, we have one of the best assets for the future - there is more value to come from the North Sea over the next 40 years than has been generated over the last 40. With the powers of independence, we can build up a fund that will last for decades beyond that. Over the next six years, the tax revenues are forecast to be £48 billion. But oil and gas aren’t our only guarantees for the future. Scotland has 25% of the EU’s offshore tidal and wind energy potential, with some estimates suggesting this could be worth £14 billion each year. For our size, we have the strongest university research base in the world. We have key and growing industries including tourism, food & drink (including whisky), the financial sector, engineering and life sciences. The question is not whether Scotland can afford to be independent. We have the people, resources and ingenuity to prosper. Instead we should be asking, why isn’t Scotland doing better, given all the natural and human wealth we enjoy? snp.org/referendum/the-new-scotland
Posted on: Thu, 11 Sep 2014 23:24:34 +0000