Martin Docherty-Hughes, MP for West Dunbartonshire, has welcomed the publication of the Sustainable Growth Commission’s report on Scotland’s future economic success.
The report, entitled “Scotland – the new case for optimism: a strategy for inter-generational economic renaissance”, demonstrates that, overall, comparable small country economies perform better than those of larger countries such as the UK.
The Sustainable Growth Commission, chaired by former MSP Andrew Wilson, has approached its remit through commissioned research, the insight and analysis of its expert members, meetings with organisations across Scotland and by considering independently offered advice.
The 354-page report is in three parts covering:
- opportunities for growth, both now and with independence,
- sustainable public finances; and
- consideration of currency issues for an independent Scotland.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has announced that the SNP will hold a series of National Assemblies over the summer to debate and discuss the report’s recommendations ahead of the party’s annual national conference in October.
Each National Assembly will consider a different section of the report and will be chaired by the Depute Leader of the SNP. The assemblies will also hear from people beyond the party, by inviting people along from across civic Scotland and from the wider Yes family.
Martin Docherty-Hughes MP said:
“This is a very welcome report which I hope will contribute positively to the debate on Scotland’s economic future and the opportunities of independence.
“In West Dunbartonshire we voted strongly in favour of a Yes vote at the 2014 referendum. Much has happened in the years since, but my experience at Westminster leads me to believe that the case for an independent Scotland has never been stronger.
“I look forward to the debate ahead and hope we can look seriously about how best to raise living standards, grow the economy and create jobs in our communities.
“But it seems opposition Labour and Tory politicians have learned noting from the mistakes of ‘Project Fear’ as they desperately attempt to discredit the Growth Commission’s report before they’ve even read it.
“I would encourage people to take the time to study the report, examine the findings for yourself and make up your own mind.”
SNP Leader and First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said:
“What this report shows is that Scotland is a wealthy nation with huge resources, encompassing our traditional strengths in innovation, our hi-tech sectors, our energy reserves, our food, drink and tourism strengths – and perhaps above all our strength in human capital, with a highly educated population.
“But despite those enormous strengths, similar sized nations have performed better over decades – all of them independent but most of them with fewer resources than us.
“Scotland is now in a very different political and economic situation to 2014. There is no status quo and we know that being taken out of Europe and out of a market around eight times bigger than the UK market alone will hit our economy. That is why it is time to begin a fresh debate and to replace the despair of Brexit with optimism about Scotland’s future.
“We look forward to debating the report’s recommendations – both within the SNP and with business, trade unions and communities across Scotland.”
A copy of the report is available on the Sustainable Growth Commission’s website: https://www.sustainablegrowthcommission.scot/
