Scotland has right to decide on independence, MSP Goodlad says

IT IS “Scotland’s right to decide” whether to become an independent country – and “no-one else’s”.

MSP Hannah Mary Goodlad made those comments after first minister John Swinney called for a second Scottish independence referendum by 2031 on Monday.

Goodlad, Shetland’s SNP MSP in Holyrood, called the announcement a “pivotal day” in Scotland’s future.

Swinney signed a joint declaration with pro-independence politicians Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth, Sinn Fein president Mary Lou McDonald and Sinn Fein vice-president Michelle O’Neill declaring that “Westminster’s time is coming to an end”.

The first minister also said he believed that Andy Burnham would be the last prime minister of the UK during the event in Cardiff.

Goodlad said it has “never been a secret” that she is a supporter of independence for Scotland.

“This is not because of some romantic notion, but instead is based on having lived and worked in Nordic and Baltic countries; small, independent countries which are thriving and punching well above their weight,” she said.

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“Since becoming an MSP and a minister, however, my belief in self-governance has grown even stronger.”

Goodlad said that Holyrood “as far less powers than people might imagine”.

“As my colleagues and I work to improve the lives of the people of Scotland, whether it be in energy, immigration, the ability to borrow, the ability to invest in capital projects, tax reform and employment law, we find our hands tied due to these powers being retained by the Westminster government.

“However, this is not why yesterday was a pivotal day.

“It was important because, in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, each nation has voted in a government that believes in the same single, yet simple idea – that they should be free to decide their own futures.”

Whether people agreed with the idea of Scottish independence or not, Goodlad said it was “Scotland’s right to decide and no-one else’s”.

A spokesman for Burnham said on Monday that the Labour leader was focused on easing the cost of living crisis, instead of constitutional debates.

Swinney said the “moment has now come” for a second referendum, citing the Scottish Parliament having the largest number of pro-independence MSPs in its history.

Scotland voted in 2014 to remain part of the UK by a margin of 55 per cent to 45 per cent.

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