‘We can achieve indy by 2029’

JOHN Swinney has claimed independence can be delivered by 2029 as the arguments are “compelling”.

The First Minister said ending the Union is the “answer” to the cost-ofliving crisis and Brexit, which he said were caused by Westminster.

Swinney, who chaired his first SNP Cabinet yesterday, is facing claims of going soft on his party’s key aim after he scrapped the post of independence minister in his reshuffle. But he offered hope to indy supporters on the timescale of a new Scottish state.

When asked whether independence could happen in five years, Swinney told Sky News: “I think independence can be delivered in that timescale because the arguments for it are compelling. If we look at two of the biggest issues we face as a country in Scotland – the effect of the cost of living and the implications of Brexit, both of those major strategic factors that are doing severe economic and social damage to Scotland are because of bad decisions taken in Westminster, and independence is the answer to that.”

However, he acknowledged that the support for independence was not yet “compelling”.

“We have got work to do to build greater support for independence, to make that support level compelling within Scotland, and that’s what my leadership will be about”, he said.

Swinney also ruled out introducing legislation on gender reform after a previous law was vetoed by the UK Government. Swinney said his government cannot legislate in this “area” or proceed with a previous plan that fell foul of the devolution settlement. However, a government source said there is no change in position compared to his predecessor Humza Yousaf’s administration.

The last year of Nicola Sturgeon’s government was dominated by a Bill making it easier for trans people to change gender.

But the plans were hugely controversial as critics believed they posed a risk to women and girls.

MSPs passed the Gender Recognition Reform Bill (GRR) but Scottish Secretary Alister Jack issued an order preventing it from coming into force. The Court of Session upheld his decision.

Swinney said he would not try to introduce a new law: “The reality of the situation we face is that the Supreme Court [sic] has said that we can’t legislate in that area. We can’t take forward that legislation. I accept the rule of law and that’s the position we find ourselves in, that we cannot proceed with that legislation.

“But the the most important thing that I can say is that to LGBT people in our society, the Scottish Government is on their side, we have been on their side and we will be on their side in the years to come.”

A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “The GRR Bill was passed by the Scottish Parliament. If the UK Government lifted its legal block – the section 35 order – it would become law.

“The problem is that the current UK Government has said they will not.”