A FORMER Scottish Government minister has argued that independence should not lead to the end of a union with the rest of the UK and this should…
should not be the end of a union with the rest of the UK, adding this should form a key part of the case going forward.MSP Emma Roddick, who has returned to the backbenches after a year-long stint as a minister in Humza Yousaf’s government, told The National she would “love” to see a cooperation agreement with England, Wales, and Northern Ireland drawn up should Scotland ever leave the UK.
“That makes absolute sense, but what we have now is not a union. If you look at what we had when we were in the EU, the UK had the same voice as everyone else. Scotland doesn’t have that in the UK. “I think we need to go back to basics on what independence means because it has become such a heightened debate.
Roddick agreed, adding that the SNP need to talk more about the democratic deficit Scotland is victim to rather than simply calling out UK Government wrongs.She went on: “We don’t have powers to borrow money, we don’t have full powers over social security so we can up the Scottish Child Payment at the same time as the UK reduces Universal Credit for that same person. That’s really frustrating.”
“We don’t have strong enough support right now for it to be unquestionable that the UK Government grants us a referendum,” Roddick said. “It was hard for Humza to come up with a plan. The plan involves convincing people and you’re not going to convince people by saying it’s over and done with already.”We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
United Kingdom Latest News, United Kingdom Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Veteran SNP MSP urges Humza Yousaf to bin powersharing deal with Scottish GreensChristine Grahame said there was too much 'divergence' for the two parties to continue working together in the Scottish Government.
Read more »
Holyrood watchdog holds meeting with shamed SNP MSP Michael Matheson in privateMSPs met yesterday to discuss the matter in private
Read more »
What next as John Swinney emerges as only MSP contending for SNP leadershipMr Swinney’s main rival has announced she will not run against him.
Read more »
What next as John Swinney emerges as only MSP contending for SNP leadershipMr Swinney’s main rival has announced she will not run against him.
Read more »
SNP MSP accidentally bids to lead party in live Sky News blunderHUMZA Yousaf has resigned as SNP leader, and all the conversations at Holyrood are now focused on who might replace him ...
Read more »
SNP minister says Kate Forbes would need Tory support to become First MinisterThe minister also claimed the senior MSP would bring 'turmoil' to the SNP.
Read more »