West Dunbartonshire’s MP Martin Docherty-Hughes has welcomed the publication of the first in a series of documents from the Scottish Government, which shows how Scotland in the UK compares to other similar-sized independent European nations on key comparators.
The paper launched by Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon outlines how other comparable nations are wealthier, happier and fairer than Scotland currently is under Westminster control.
The report titled ‘Independence in the Modern World. Wealthier, Happier, Fairer: Why Not Scotland?’, details how neighbouring countries such as Sweden, Ireland, Denmark and Finland use their powers of independence to achieve economic success, business dynamism and fairer societies.
The evidence shows that:
- the comparator countries are all wealthier – some a lot wealthier – than the UK;
- income inequality is lower in all the comparator countries;
- poverty rates are lower in all the comparator countries;
- there are fewer children living in poverty in all the comparator countries;
- the comparator countries all have higher productivity – often significantly higher – than the UK; and
- business investment tends to be higher in all the comparator countries.
It is the first in a series of papers called Building a New Scotland that will together form a prospectus for an independent Scotland to enable people to make an informed choice about Scotland’s future before any referendum takes place.
The Scottish Government is committed to holding an independence referendum by the end of 2023.
Martin Docherty-Hughes MP said:
“The people of West Dunbartonshire voted strongly for Scottish independence in 2014. I’m confident there will be an overwhelming Yes vote in the next referendum.
“It’s no surprise to see the Westminster parties running scared of the Scottish people deciding their own future. Our communities have been let down by Westminster for too long now, and a growing number of Scots are seeing Scotland has everything it takes to thrive as an independent nation.
“With a majority of pro-independence MSPs delivered at the last election, it’s disappointing to see Labour team up with the Tories again to deny the cast-iron democratic mandate for an independence referendum.
“Countries like Denmark, Switzerland and Norway show what’s possible with the powers of independence. If they can be wealthier, fairer and happier, then why not Scotland?”
Read the report in full here: Independence in the Modern World. Wealthier, Happier, Fairer: Why Not Scotland
