Swinney’s referendum likely to be ‘an even greater flop’ than 2014
Despite criticism from nationalist think tank The Common Weal that Scotland is ill-prepared for independence, John Swinney and the SNP are going full throttle for a second referendum.
Is that wise and how would we fare with independence, now? The Scottish Government website states we received £25.3 billion more from Westminster last year than we returned in taxes.
This annual subsidy will end with independence.
Negotiations will determine the final figure however an enormous budget shortfall is unavoidable, requiring some combination of government borrowing, higher taxes and harsh spending cuts (austerity).
Moreover, renewable energy subsidies are currently charged to UK consumers’ bills. Without a special independence deal these costs will transfer to Scottish consumers and bills will soar. ChatGPT estimates an increase of £120 per month, at current levels.
It gets worse. Analysis of the SNP’s new energy policy shows they plan to increase our existing renewables base sixfold. For that, ChatGPT estimates bills will rise by £710 per month. Crazy.
Now, this doesn’t mean an independent Scotland couldn’t prosper, with competent government. However, it does mean independence now would hit our economy and pockets hard for many years.
The SNP must switch focus to demonstrating competent use of the powers they already have, and becoming true defenders of key industries like oil and gas, and fishing.
Sadly, like flying fish fleeing the deadly predators of the sea, they take refuge in flights of fancy.
Spouting a potpourri of grievances, virtue signalling and outright folly, from global warming to Gaza, from male rapists in women’s prisons to siding with Trump and Sinn Fein against the UK, they distract from everything that has anything to do with the hopes and aspirations of hard-working Scots.
Meanwhile, back in the “sea”, education, health, business and transport languish.
Two years of divisive political food fight, followed by another ten of backbiting are the last thing Scotland needs right now.
Scots are canny folk who will not vote for penury. Without a radical change of direction and behaviour Swinney’s referendum, if granted, will be an even bigger flop than 2014.
John Tulloch
Aberdeen
