STURGEON’S ECONOMIC DELUSION
Backlash over claims Scotland will join top tier of the world’s richest nations
THE SNP has been accused of concocting ‘grand delusions’ about an independent Scotland after Nicola Sturgeon claimed the country could act as a ‘bridge’ between the EU and the UK.
She will today claim that a separate Scotland can become a ‘magnet for global investment’ after Brexit.
In her keynote address to the SNP’s annual conference she will insist Scotland will join the ‘top tier’ of wealthy nations if it leaves the rest of the UK.
But her comments were branded ‘delusional’ after she admitted on Sunday that she could not rule out there having to be a hard border between Scotland and England after secession.
Finance Secretary Derek Mackay was also criticised yesterday after he ignored the huge deficit a separate country would face and claimed that Scotland ‘cannot afford the Union’ – even though it is worth £2,000 a year for every man, woman and child.
Miss Sturgeon is expected to use her speech to tell delegates when she will demand the power to hold a rerun of the divisive 2014 referendum and will claim that Scotland can escape the economic impact of Brexit.
She will say: ‘In these turbulent times, our job is to bring hope and to be the confidence builders. We are a wealthy country, bursting with talent and potential.
‘But we must reject a postBrexit race to the bottom and embrace instead a race to join the top tier of independent nations. And consider this – as an independent European country, Scotland will have a unique advantage.
‘We will be in the EU single market and also the closest neighbour to our friends in the rest of the UK – a bridge between the EU and the UK, making our country a magnet for global investment. That’s what I call the best of both worlds.’
The SNP Government’s own figures show that Scotland faces a £12.6billion deficit, worth 7 per cent of GDP.
According to the SNP’s economic prospectus for independence, it could take up to a decade to bring the deficit down to sustainable levels.
Scottish Tory chief whip Maurice Golden said: ‘People are sick of hearing Nicola Sturgeon’s empty promises and grand delusions – all of which are predicated on her selfish desire for a legacy.
‘They want to know about the here and now, and an explanation for 12 years of SNP failure.
‘Education, health, justice and the economy are all in a desperate state on Nicola Sturgeon’s watch.’
Scottish Government figures show that total public spending in Scotland soared to a record £13,854 per person last year, compared with £12,193 across the UK.
The total amount raised per person was £11,531, compared with £11,838 across the UK. This means being part of the UK is effectively worth £1,968 a year for every person.
However, Mr Mackay used his speech at the conference yesterday to claim Scotland is one of the richest countries in the world but faces ‘years of uncertainty and political chaos’ with Brexit.
He said: ‘Our economy, our public services and our people cannot afford to be subject to the whim of Westminster turmoil for years and years.’
On BBC Radio Scotland yesterday morning, Miss Sturgeon claimed that her top priority remains education.
However, Education Secretary John Swinney barely mentioned schools in his address yesterday. Instead, he claimed Scotland stands on the ‘threshold of our country’s independence’.
Responding to Miss Sturgeon, Pamela Nash, chief executive of Scotland in Union, said: ‘These are delusional comments from the SNP leader. It is a gross insult to suggest that leaving the UK internal market, erecting a hard border with England and scrapping the pound would attract investment.’
Meanwhile, Miss Sturgeon will today announce her first major policy for the 2021 Holyrood election – a pledge to scrap council charges on ‘nonresidential social care’, such as meals on wheels and day care. A spokesman confirmed the Scottish Government would provide extra funding to councils to scrap the charges – but could not say how much it would cost.
Comment – Page 16
‘Best of both worlds’ ‘Selfish desire for a legacy’