Sturgeon puts her case for staying in Europe
FIRST Minister Nicola Sturgeon will today set out the positives of EU membership for both Scotland and the UK.
Speaking to an audience of around 700 people at St John’s Smith Square, she will argue that Scotland and the UK should seek to reform the European Union from the inside rather than be a voice outwith.
She is expected to say: “The Scottish government believes that EU membership is in the best interests of Scotland. As such, the Scottish government will make a positive, constructive case for remaining in the EU.”
Mrs Sturgeon will be at the forefront of the SNP In Europe campaign, which will encourage Scots to vote to remain in the EU on June 23.
Europe Minister Humza Yousaf has been appointed campaign director, while Stephen Gethins MP, the SNP’s Europe spokesman, is deputy director.
Mr Yousaf said: “We know that the EU is by no means perfect but it allows its members to work together to more effectively tackle major issues which don’t respect national boundaries.
“There are serious issues facing our continent which need a Europewide approach and we want Scotland and the UK to play our part in that, rather than stand- ing on the sidelines.
“It’s no secret the SNP would rather Scotland was able to play our part in the European family of nations as an independent member state, but we are clear that it is better for Scotland to stay in and we will work to make that happen.” HUMZA YOUSAF
WHAT a week it was for Deputy First Minister John Swinney. Not only did the Scottish Parliament pass his 9th consecutive budget prioritising the protection of public services and closing the equality gap, but he also successfully secured a fair deal for Scotland’s fiscal framework. The Fiscal Framework is the financial rules that govern the transfer of powers promised in the Smith Commission, set up after the Scottish independence referendum.
The deal initially tabled by the UK government might have left Scotland as much as £7 billion worse off, because it did not allow for adjustment to the Fiscal Framework when population growth differed between Scotland and the UK.
After months of standing up to the UK Treasury while they tabled proposals which would allow for future UK government cash-grab from Scotland’s budget, Scotland’s negotiating team finally backed them down to a deal which complies with the Smith agreement’s “no detriment” principle.
The “no detriment” principle contained in the Smith Commission report was intended to ensure that no outcome of the finalised Scotland Bill would leave Scotland or the UK worse off in the long run.
In the near future, Scotland’s population is expected to continue to grow more slowly than the rest of the UK.
Therefore, the Treasury’s preferred proposals for the fiscal framework could have left Scotland at a significant economic disadvantage, before a single power was used.
The powers agreed to by the Smith Commission do not come close to living up to the promises made to Scotland by David Cameron and his Better Together colleagues in Labour and the Liberal Democrats shortly before the referendum.
There are vast sections of welfare and revenueraising powers which will remain reserved to Westminster.
When the deadline set for a Fiscal Framework agreement came by February 12, the pressure was on for John Swinney and the First Minister to settle for whatever was on the table at the time.
The result last week has proved what many voters already know; the SNP will never back down from securing the best deal for the people of Scotland.
On a different note, as former youth club leader myself, I am keen to meet and support as many youth groups and leaders as I can as an MSP.
There are so many doing great work across Glasgow: Govan Youth Information Project, Active East and Plantation Productions to name just a few.
Last week, I visited one fantastic local group where, as well as playing some great games, I got to learn about the young people attending and some of the challenges they face.
I was fortunate enough to be raised in a stable home where my parents were able to comfortably provide for me.
I met young people who came from really difficult backgrounds.
I enjoyed talking with one young person, who, on top of attending college full time and working, was the primary carer for her mother.
Her story is shared by many young people.
It is youth groups like those I have mentioned help give vulnerable young people the friendship and support they need to grow into self-confident, happy adults.