Kate Forbes says independence for Scotland is an ‘economic necessity’

Independence for Scotland is an “economic necessity”, Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes has insisted as she said that the country is being “held back” by Westminster.

Ms Forbes said that leaving the UK could be a “fresh start”, as she blamed successive UK governments for “economic decline”.

The Deputy First Minister spoke out after thousands of independence supporters marched through the streets of Edinburgh on Saturday.

The rally, the latest in a series organised by All Under One Banner, came after First Minister John Swinney this week insisted that having a second referendum has “never been more important, more urgent or more necessary”.

Ms Forbes, meanwhile, argued that an independent Scotland would have its economy boosted by being able to rejoin the European Unions.

She also claimed Scotland has energy resources necessary to enable the country to make a “just transition” away from fossil fuels.

The Deputy First Minister said: “Scotland has the people, the resources, and the ambition to build a thriving economy, but we are being held back by Westminster’s cycle of decline and managed stagnation.

“Successive Westminster governments have presided over economic decline, falling living standards, and chronic under-investment – and the current Labour government is offering no alternative or credible vision for long-term growth.

“The people of Scotland deserve the choice to chart a better course – one that reflects our values, our priorities, and our potential.”

She continued: “This is not just a constitutional argument. It’s an economic necessity.

“We can not be expected to stand by while Westminster mismanages our future. Scotland has the right to decide on something better.

“The economic case for independence has never been stronger, and the political case for the right to choose has never been more urgent.”

While the 2014 referendum, in which Scots voted against independence, was said to be a “once in a generation” opportunity, Mr Swinney said that by 2030 there will be a million young voters who were not able to take part in that vote.

“That seems like a generation to me,” the First Minister said earlier this week

His comments came as the Scottish Government published a new paper on Thursday calling on the UK Government to “make a clear commitment to respect the people of Scotland’s right to decide their future”.

And the SNP leader said he is “determined” that his party win a majority in next May’s Holyrood election in a bid to force a second referendum.

It is the UK Government that has the power to allow another such vote to be held, and it has turned down requests from successive SNP first ministers for a ballot – despite the Scottish elections in 2016 and 2021 both returning a majority of pro-independence MSPs.

A UK Government spokesperson said earlier this week that another referendum is “simply not a priority for Scots”.

Stating that “the  UK Government’s priority is delivering for people in Scotland”, the spokesperson added: “The Scottish Government should be focused on working with us on our Plan for Change: to grow the economy, improve our public services, and put more money in people’s pockets.”