The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
SNP’s case for independence ‘now dead’
Politics: Party’s economic case ‘based on wishful thinking’
The SNP’s case for independence is dead – according to Alex Bell, the party’s former head of policy said.
In response, the SNP said its continuing case for “self-government for Scotland” is being backed by a growing number of Scots who are angry the UK Government.
Alex Salmond’s former head of policy has said the SNP’s case for independence is dead.
Alex Bell, who was tasked with creating a new social model for an independent Scotland between 2010and2013, said the economic case presented during the referendum was based on wishful thinking and it is deluded to continue to promote it.
He suggests the current
“The SNP’s model of independence is broken”
SNP leadership know this is the case but continues to lead a “morally dubious” government which opposed Tory cuts without any credible alternative.
Inresponse, the SNP said its continuing case for “selfgovernment for Scotland” is being backed by a growing number of Scots who are angry the UK Government “has not delivered on its vow of more powers”.
Writing on current affairs blog Rattle.Scot, Mr Bell said: “The SNP’s model of independence is broken beyond repair. The party should either build a new one or stop offering it as an alternative to Tory cuts.
“The campaign towards the 2014 vote, and the economic information since, has kicked the old model to death.
“The idea that you could have a Scotland with high public spending, low taxes, a stable economy and reasonable government debt was wishful a year ago – now it is deluded.”
Mr Bell said the bumpy transition to independence would be like the overstretched and over-budget Police Scotland merger “multiplied by a hundred”.
“It is reasonable to assume that all these obstacles can be overcome, but it is stupid to deny they exist,” he said. He suggested Finance Secretary John Swinney would be “unfit for the job” if he does not understand these obstacles “so we must assume these bright people know that the old model, once optimistic, is now dead”.
He described the Scottish Government’s current stance of telling people it backs independence without publishing any work to justify or prepare for it as “a morally dubious form of government”.
“Posing as the defender of the poor against Tories when you have no credible alternative and don’t bother to research one is arguably immoral,” he said.
Scottish Labour’s public services spokeswoman Jackie Baillie said: “This is an extraordinary intervention from the man who was at the heart of the SNP’s campaign for separation.”
Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie added: “Immoral fools with no credible alternative is a powerful condemnation from someone who knows the SNP leadership well.”
An SNP spokesman said: “In the year since the referendum, every opinion poll conducted on the matter has shown an increase in support for independence, with some putting Yes ahead.
“This is due to the widespread anger that the UK Government has not delivered on their vow of more powers for Scotland – but also because the SNP continues to make the case for self- government for Scotland, and demonstrate a strong track record in office.”
debate over Scotland’s potential for independence rages on.
How fascinating, then, to see an SNP stalwart and previous champion of the independence campaign break cover and declare that the fiscal case for us going it alone is dead.
Alex Bell, Alex Salmond’s former head of policy, said the idea “that you can have a Scotland with high public spending, low taxes, a stable economy and reason able government debt was wishful a year ago – now it is deluded.”
Those who hate the idea of independence will rejoice at his economic view; those in favour will pour scorn on his views. It further ignites a debate that continues to divide but, fascinatingly, will not go away.