SCOTLAND'S voice “simply doesn’t matter to Westminster”, First Minister John Swinney will declare.
The SNP leader will make the comments while campaigning in Aberdeen on Monday, railing against Brexit on the day after the eighth anniversary of the vote.
The decision to leave the EU, Swinney will say, exposed the “myth of the union of equals”.
Scotland voted by 62% to 38% to stay in the EU – a fact that has been used consistently by the SNP to show the disparity between north and south of the border.
READ MORE: John Swinney says bad election result would not affect independence mandate
The First Minister will say the result of the 2016 referendum did not just impact the relationship with Europe.
“It told us something fundamental about the United Kingdom too,” he will add.
“It demonstrated that the UK is not a partnership of equal nations.
“The fact that Scotland voted to remain ultimately mattered not one jot to Westminster.
“That’s not equality – it’s a ‘know your place’ attitude.
“The way Scotland is being treated over Brexit is symptomatic of a wider ‘Westminster knows best’ union, whatever the cost to Scotland.
“While yesterday was the anniversary of the Brexit vote, today is the anniversary of people in Scotland waking up to the new reality.
“The reality not just that we were about to be dragged out of the EU against our will.
“But the reality that Scotland’s voice simply does not matter to the Westminster establishment.
“The myth of the union of equals was extinguished for so many people across Scotland on this day eight years ago.”
Speaking on the day both the Prime Minister and the shadow chancellor visit Scotland, Swinney will add: “We see Westminster politicians take campaign trips north of the border to dismiss the very idea that Scotland can have real, genuine influence at Westminster.
“That is the reality of this unequal union.
“It is a reality that was made clear on this day eight years ago – and it is a reality that Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer are reinforcing every single day of this campaign.
“So I am asking people to vote SNP if you believe it is best for Scotland’s future to be back in the European Union.”
But Scottish Tory deputy leader Meghan Gallacher said: “We know the SNP never respect referendum results.
“They are pushing for another one on independence – it’s page one, line one, of the SNP manifesto.
“In key seats across the country, only the Scottish Conservatives can beat the SNP and switch the focus away from their obsession with breaking up the UK and on to people’s real priorities – like fixing our ailing public services and creating good jobs.”
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