Scotland – Win or lose in the independence vote, Scottish politics is set to be changed irrevocably

» Declan Kearney

‘Today we have a Tory government in Westminster that most of us did not vote for, and yet that government is able to take decisions that cause real harm to families and communities in Scotland’ – Doesn’t that sound familiar?

THE PUBLICATION of the Scottish Government White Paper Scotland’s Future  has injected new momentum into the discussion on Scottish independence.

It sets out a comprehensive blueprint for independence and addresses, in detail, fiscal governance and the economy as well as all relevant policy areas.

Part Four is entirely dedicated to managing the transition from devolution to independence and developing a new Scottish democracy.

The White Paper has concretised the political debate – it gives Scots an opportunity to have informed discussion and take informed decisions.

The vision set out is strategically and politically challenging. It pulls no punches.

Scotland currently gets 9.3% of Westminster spending but generates 9.4% of Westminster taxes.

Since 2008, on average, Scottish workers paid an extra £1,500 to the London Treasury than they got back.

Scottish taxpayers contribute £250million annually to fund Britain’s nuclear programme.

In contrast, by 2020, Scotland’s renewable energy could be worth £2billion.

The White Paper says that “devolution has only taken us so far”. It asserts independence and would allow Scotland to design its own participative democracy.

The question posed is not whether Scotland can afford to be independent but instead why it isn’t doing better given all its natural and human wealth.

Another stark message was delivered:

“Today we have a Tory government in Westminster that most of us did not vote for, and yet that government is able to take decisions that cause real harm to families and communities in Scotland.”

Doesn’t that sound familiar?

With nine months until the Scottish referendum (Thursday 18 September 2014), Scotland’s Future has brought the political, democratic, fiscal and economic debate to a new level.

The paradigm has been shifted. A mainstream debate has begun on options for progressive and democratic transformation in Scotland.

Win or lose in September, Scottish politics will be changed irrevocably.