Independence will create ‘family of equals’ in UK – Sturgeon
Scottish independence will create a partnership of equals in the UK, Nicola Sturgeon is expected to tell delegates at the SNP conference in Aberdeen.
Ms Sturgeon will close the party’s conference by telling delegates that the nations of the UK and the Republic of Ireland, will “always be the closest of friends, always be family”.
Speaking to journalists on Sunday, the First Minister was asked about any announcements she would make in her speech. She said she will have “more to say” on the cost-of-living crisis “and a host of other things as well”.
She also rejected claims there was a lack of policy commitments during the conference.
Ms Sturgeon is expected to say: “Scottish independence can reset and renew the whole notion of nations working together for the common good.
“England, Scotland, Wales, the island of Ireland. We will always be the closest of friends. We will always be family. But we can achieve a better relationship, a true partnership of equals, when we win Scotland’s independence.”
She is also expected to accuse the UK Government of “Westminster’s denial of Scottish democracy. Full frontal attacks on devolution. A basic lack of respect. It is these which are causing tension and fraying the bonds between us”.
‘Break’
The First Minister was criticised on Sunday for saying to the BBC: “I detest the Tories and everything they stand for.”
Last week Ms Sturgeon announced plans for the publication in the days after the conference of the latest paper on independence, laying out the Government’s proposals for the economy and the arguments before the Supreme Court.
That paper, she will tell party members, will lay out how energy bills in an independent Scotland will be cheaper and more secure.
She will also outline plans to repeal “anti-trade union legislation”, end the age disparity in the minimum wage and show how businesses will benefit from leaving the UK.
“In short, with independence we will show how we can break with the low productivity, high inequality Brexit-based UK economy,” she will say.
“And use the full powers of independence to build an inclusive, fair, wellbeing economy that works for everyone – that is the prize of independence.”
Support our Nation today
For the price of a cup of coffee a month you can help us create an independent, not-for-profit, national news service for the people of Wales, by the people of Wales.
Nicola Sturgeon, whether you are pro union or anti, is making valid points about the ongoing ties that will continue between our nations and our people regardless. That she is being criticised for condemning the policies of the Conservative Government that has over years neglected the nations of the UK and should be condemned by all who want to see unity. The prosperity and wellbeing of Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland has been in continuous decline through wilful neglect by the central Westminster UK governments and despite the empty rhetoric of levelling up nothing has changed or will do. It’s time… Read more »
We should follow our own path.
I would rather us be poor and free than rich slaves. Anything attached to a UK or EU means we have to obey people unelected by us. Better off in BRICS, perhaps?
well said. Who’d in their right mind would want to be in that camp? These tories – something Nye Bevan called them always sticks in my mind! He was not wrong. Their absolute greed causes absolute poverty. It always has and always will. If you don’t share out the cake it wont go round – simple as that. Why does anyone in all the world and hereafter need £3000 a week income to survive for instance? Greed is a very difficult disease to overcome. The only way it seems is – distance yourself from it, and thank whatever god you… Read more »
England is still the major player here. Will people there throw off the yoke of Britishness or will they cling to the remnant of the past, which will include holding on to Wales by the collar.
It would be nice for the nations of the British Isles to all equal but that would need a complete mind re-set by Westminster. For hundreds of years its had control – that is still hard for it to give up completely. The break-up of the UK is the final throes of what is technically the English Empire and will happen, its only a matter of time.