THESE are the issues the Scottish people must focus on ahead of next month’s election, a leading think tank says.
In a new paper, pro-independence body Common Weal reveals the eight key matters it says the country needs to discuss. These include creating a “resilient recovery” from Covid, starting a “housing revolution” and “better banking”.
The nine-page report is published just one month before the country goes to the polls.
The lead-up to the May 6 vote has so far been dominated by the launch of the Alba Party, with media focus questioning what this means for the Yes movement. Much of this coverage has centred around individual figures including Alex Salmond, Nicola Sturgeon and the Yes politicians and activists who have moved from her party to his.
Common Weal says the debate must come back to policy and building a positive future.
It says its blueprint could be put into action using existing Scottish Parliament powers – but “we need a strategy for getting that referendum because we may not find Westminster eager to concede one”.
The report states: “The Scottish election is upon us, but sometimes it feels like the nation’s political debate has been about anything except the big policy ideas that we should be debating.
“Scotland is better than this – we are a country which is rich with groups and individuals thinking big thoughts about our future and Common Weal is only one of them.
“But we have produced an enormous amount of inspiring policy work since the last Holyrood election and together it paints a picture of a Scotland that truly is better than it is now.”
RESILIENT RECOVERY
THE report calls for a rethink in economics, saying: “For far too long we have valued our economy only in terms of how quickly it grows and not in terms of what it delivers for us ...
“We need to produce much more of what we consume here in Scotland and to the highest standards. We need to have many more Scottish businesses producing what we consume so we’re not wholly reliant on a tiny number of mega-corporations. And we need a much more balanced economy so that if there is a downturn in one sector, other parts of the economy can pick up the strain. Building up Scotland’s industrial base should be a priority.”
GREEN NEW DEAL
HOUSING and transport systems must be upgraded “with urgency”, it is claimed: “Scotland does not have the powers to achieve all of this but it does have all the powers it needs to get ready, to get all the preparation done so we can start our transition properly. And there is more than enough which Scotland does have the power to do that we can get on with properly.”
A NEW DEMOCRACY
A CITIZENS’ Chamber should be set up to hold the Scottish Parliament to account, the report says: “Scotland has the less local democracy than anyone else in Europe – by miles. We have the biggest councils which bundle the largest number of citizens and result in the fewest members of society actually standing for election ... We need a proper system of really local democracy.”
NATIONAL CARE SERVICE
THE report calls for “ambitious” changes to care for citizens from pre-birth to end-of-life: “If we thought of care provision as being about supporting wellbeing, learning and growth and if we made this a fundamental part of a genuine National Care Service it could be revolutionary.”
LAND REFORM
THIS is both a social justice and climate issue, Common Weal states: “We assume that the barren moors and hillsides of Scotland are ‘natural’ – but they’re not. They’ve
been made that way by years of tree-felling, over-grazing, burning, poor soil management and other human interventions. There is no need for them to be these ‘wet deserts’. They could be a half-wild mosaic of life – commercial and noncommercial forestry, rewilding, livestock farming, ecotourism, energy generation, new home building and more.”
HOUSING REVOLUTION
THE report calls for action on rent and property prices through new valuation strategies and lending schemes: “Our housing can’t keep rising in cost faster than people’s salaries or an entire generation is going to be priced out of housing. And Scotland’s Council Tax is unfair, outdated and must be replaced.”
TAKING CONTROL OF OUR ENERGY
A SCOTTISH Energy Development Agency should oversee the transition from fossil fuels to renewables, it is claimed: “Scotland’s renewable energy needs can be met through onshore and offshore wind alone, which leaves our enormous marine energy resources still available for development.”
BETTER BANKING
TO combat closures by high street lenders, Scotland should “ create a secure, trustworthy, customer-focussed banking network which is set up publicly but then becomes a mutual, owned by its customers,” according to Common Weal.
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