After this, we can choose to create a new kind of Scotland

Most people I talk to about life after the pandemic say they want to be part of a more caring society, where we all have decent homes, proper jobs and great public services. Hand on heart, who thinks that is even possible let alone likely in Boris Johnson’s UK? That’s why Scotland now has a choice to make about its future.

Do we remain part of an increasingly isolated and inward-looking UK, or become an independent country where we look out for one another and build stronger communities with a commitment to reducing inequality and tackling climate change?

For the first time, we are voting at a point where the UK has left the European Union and the only way back in is for the people of Scotland to vote for independence.

The most successful countries in the world are small independent European nations of a similar size – countries like Norway, and Switzerland. They top the UN league table for human development with the best outcomes in prosperity, wellbeing and life expectancy. Independent, we can be as successful.

In the last year, Scotland has felt more than ever before like a different country with a different government – in fact, a better government. That’s why many of us have been changing our minds about independence.

In May, it will be the people who decide if there should be another referendum once the pandemic is over.

And if we vote for the right to choose our future, then all fairminded folk will agree that we must have a referendum.

Not everyone in Scotland is in favour of independence, but we are all in favour of democracy. And democracy means the people get to decide.