SNP’s paper on independence ‘dismal, negative, uninspiring’

Sturgeon’s latest paper on independence has been branded ‘dismal, negative and uninspiring’ by a leading authority on the SNP.

Edinburgh University public policy expert Professor James Mitchell, who has written a series of books about the SNP, has published a scathing assessment of the report launched by the First Minister at Bute House last week.

The report, written by civil servants, contained no new policy but claimed that Scotland suffers a ‘democratic deficit’ as part of the UK.

In an article for Holyrood magazine, Professor Mitchell said that describing the paper as disappointing ‘would be to praise it too highly’ and described it as ‘a rehash of nationalist arguments that attempts to equate independence with democracy’.

Professor Mitchell said: ‘The fear for supporters of self-government is that an independent Scotland would simply replicate much of the worst of Westminster. What is on offer is not a proposal to renew democracy.

‘This dismal, negative, uninspiring document suggests the SNP would recreate a warped and discredited form of democracy, an independent Scotland that would simply be a little Britain. A renewal of Scottish democNICOLA racy is needed. It does not need to await independence.’

In part of last week’s report, the Scottish Government claimed that ‘the UK constitutional system is based on the unlimited sovereignty of the Westminster Parliament’ .

It also said that the Westminster system ‘claims the right to make decisions for Scotland whatever the views of the people who live here’.

But Professor Mitchell dismissed the claim, saying: ‘Westminster’s “unlimited” power is a myth shared by Brexiteers and fundamentalist nationalists of various hues. It clearly does not extend to many parts of the economy.’ Nationalist MSP Stuart McMillan said: ‘Prof Mitchell’s article is a clear and welcome sign that the Scottish Government’s papers on independence are having the desired effect of moving the debate on to important questions of what an independent Scotland should look like.’