LIKE each of the hundred thousand plus members of the Scottish National Party, it was my personal support for Independence which brought me to join the SNP almost two decades ago.
When I did so, I absolutely committed myself to support the principle that Scotland’s future should be in Scotland’s hands.
This wasn’t simply my personal commitment to a particular constitutional settlement.
Our party’s constitution makes it clear: the twin aims of the Scottish National Party are Independence for Scotland and the “furtherance of all Scottish interests”.
What’s just as clear today, as it was to me back in 2000 is that you cannot have one of these without the other.
Being seen to put the interests of people in Scotland first is how we build support for our cause, and Independence itself is the mechanism by which everyone who lives here will be able to harness Scotland’s infinite potential. These principles are fundamentally intertwined.
That’s why the First Minister’s announcement yesterday presents a new opportunity for those of us who value the prize of self-determination. The proposal that we reset the debate about whether we should have a new referendum on Scotland’s future until the full outcome of the Brexit negotiations are clear, means that we will now have our chance to reframe our arguments to better fit the changing context in which we live.
Before then, it’s right that for the next two years we must focus our collective efforts on ensuring that Scotland gets the best possible outcome from the Brexit process. Doing everything we can, and taking every opportunity presented to us, so that all our businesses, our communities and our families are not penalised by a decision that the majority of the electorate here in Scotland voted against last year, and that the Scottish interests are protected in every possible way.
To do this we must first redouble our efforts to work with all parties in the Scottish Parliament and other devolved legislatures to secure a seat at the negotiating table in Brussels so that Scotland’s voice is heard loud and clear. Then we ensure the case for Scotland remaining in the single market is made and delivered upon. Standing up for Scotland will either deliver us the positive deal we need, or it will go further to underline the necessity of a new constitutional settlement.
At the same time, this window of opportunity will give us a chance to more properly consider the reasons behind the result in 2014, and how we can learn from this experience. For example, the Scottish Growth Commission chaired by Andrew Wilson has already been tasked to answer how we can build on our country’s great strengths and talents to create a stronger and even more vibrant economy fit to thrive in the 21st century. This is an essential building block in advancing the economic and business case for independence.
This is no more, and no less, than the “furtherance of all Scottish interests” as we build the case for independence. It’s by always doing the right thing for Scotland that we will begin to reengage the Yes movement and re-secure the trust and support of those Scottish voters who drifted away from the SNP after the 2015 General Election. Most importantly, it’s how we will hopefully persuade the many thousands of voters who are open to the argument that Scotland’s best interests are best served by taking responsibility for our own future, but who have so far been unconvinced.
An ongoing, relentless debate about process will not achieve any of these vital objectives.
So, in the months ahead, let’s face the future and take this opportunity with two hands. Let’s focus on our guiding lights of fairness and equality, not simply on the process that requires to be followed to take us there.
Now we need to turn our attention on those who are yet to be convinced.
Taking the time we need to futureproof our positive case for Scotland’s future, and to make sure that we’re continued to be trusted as the party that puts Scotland first. Scotland’s future will be in Scotland’s hands.
Our time will come.
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Callum Baird, Editor of The National
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