Independence will make Scotland a ‘fairer, more equal country’ – Swinney

SNP leader John Swinney has told a live TV audience that independence is necessary if Scotland is to become “a fairer and more equal country”.

Scotland’s First Minister said on the BBC’s Leaders’ Question Time program on Thursday that when he became party leader just over six weeks ago at a “difficult time”, he was tasked with rebuilding the confidence of the Scottish people and strengthening the position of improve the population. lives.

He said the SNP was committed to eradicating child poverty and strengthening the economy, and pledged to “deploy the resources” to tackle immediate issues such as NHS waiting lists.

It was pointed out to him that 7,000 people in Scotland had been waiting for more than two years, compared to just 300 in England, and he put this down to the complex health problems some people were facing.

Mr Swinney also highlighted the importance of Scottish independence and rejoining the EU in his party’s domestic agenda, making his case for independence clear when asked whether he would settle for more devolved powers instead .

Mr Swinney said: “I will never say no to more powers for the Scottish Parliament. But what I want to be able to do is do the things that will change people’s lives.

“I want to live in a fairer and more equal country. I want to live in a country that prioritizes improving our economy and strengthening the rights and responsibilities of the people of our country. I don’t think this is feasible for us in Britain.

“I want Scotland to be like Denmark, or Ireland, or Sweden as an independent country. And if you look at those countries, they are more prosperous, more equal and more fair than Scotland and Britain.

“And that’s an award that I think people in Scotland will be attracted to and want to make sure that happens for our country.”

When asked by a member of the audience whether he would continue to hold referendums “until you get what you want”, he said that politicians should explain what they “actually believe in” and let the people decide, and that he was a Democrat who ‘respected the right’. of the Scottish people to decide their own future.”

Fiona Bruce repeatedly challenged him on what it would mean for his democratic mandate for independence if the SNP failed to win a majority of Scottish seats in July, as it would, she suggested, be a “democratic decision that you should not pursue independence”.

When he reiterated that he wanted people in Scotland to vote confidently for the SNP so that the party could make its manifesto a reality, she concluded that he would not answer the question.

He was also asked why the SNP had backtracked on its opposition to new oil and gas permits, and he said that while the need to move to net zero was “absolutely inescapable”, it would be necessary to continue to use fossil fuels for some time to come. use fuels. ”.

He added that any new permits would be assessed on a case-by-case basis and “must be compatible with our climate change objectives”, saying issues such as energy security would be part of this consideration.