A LEADING global economist has backed independence, saying Scotland should go it alone rather than stay tied to the UK’s “rapidly imploding” growth model.
Mark Blyth, who was born in Dundee and is now professor of international political economy at Brown University in Rhode Island, tweeted that he was always getting asked about his views on independence, adding “I’m for it”.
The Ivy League professor told the Sunday National he had previously been in two minds about Scotland breaking ties with the rest of the UK, but had now shifted to a position of thinking it is a “good idea”.
“There are real fiscal challenges getting there that cannot be wished away,” he said.
“But the long-term costs of staying tied to the UK’s rapidly imploding growth model are just as bad.”
In his tweet — which was shared by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon — Blyth also described the UK growth model as “unsustainable”.
He added: “Scotland can do better than simply subsist on inter-regional transfers.”
Blyth pointed to a commentary by economist and former SNP MSP Andrew Wilson, who headed the party’s sustainable growth commission, as being the factor which “tipped me over the edge”.
It followed the publication of the latest Government Expenditure and Revenue Scotland (GERS) statistics last week, which showed spending in Scotland amounted to £15.1 billion more than ministers received in revenues.
In response Wilson wrote that he did not dispute that the deficit – as estimated within the UK model – is higher than that in other small countries which Scotland would wish to emulate under independence.
But he added: “The GERS assessment reflects a structural problem with the UK: it is one of the most unequal countries in the developed world. Every region and nation outside the southeast and east runs a large deficit on this measure.
“This is not cause for celebration but a clear sign that the UK is not working for most of the country.”
Wilson also said that the prospectus for independence will now have to reflect the realities of Covid-19, but “few now dispute Scotland is capable of becoming an independent country.”
“No-one is suggesting it will be easy. It will take hard work, clever thinking and a clear transition plan. It will be an effort. That effort will be worth it,” he concluded.
Blyth is the author of Austerity: The History of A Dangerous Idea and co-author of the recently published book Angrynomics, which explores the global economy and “rising tide of anger” in the world.
Speaking in a BBC Radio Scotland interview earlier this month, he said there is “no doubt” Scotland could be independent.
But he said it would mean “not being dishonest” about the costs and the country needing to have its own currency.
He said: “On the question of, ‘Could you do this?’ Of course you could. This is a dynamic, innovative, small, well-governed country.
“The question is, ‘how much costs are you willing to bear to get from where you are now to where you want to be?’ That’s the only question that matters.”
The Tories last week claimed the Gers figures were a “hammer blow” to independence.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel