John Swinney to tell Edinburgh rally of ‘prize’ of Scottish independence

The “prize” of Scottish independence is up for grabs when Scots go to the polls in May, John Swinney has insisted.

He will insist that leaving the “broken” Westminster system could see energy bills reduced for Scots while the NHS would be “protected” from possible privatisation.

He made the claims ahead of a major pro-independence march and rally taking place in the Scottish capital on Saturday.

The First Minister and SNP leader will address crowds at the event in Edinburgh, with Succession star Brian Cox also due to speak.

Speaking ahead of Saturday’s event, organised by campaigners at Believe in Scotland, Mr Swinney said: “The Westminster establishment is broken. And it is Scotland that is paying the price.

“In one of the most energy-rich countries in the world, people pay some of the highest energy bills in Europe.

“It does not add up. And yet it is the reality for people right across this country. Westminster has failed.”

Adding that “Westminster is broken”, he said his party’s job was now “to inspire people with a vision for Scotland that is better than what Westminster can offer”.

He added that the SNP must “show how we can use the powers of independence not just to prevent the worst failures of Westminster but to build something better for Scotland”.

Mr Swinney said this could be “a country with lower energy bills, where our NHS is protected from the threat of Westminster privatisation, where our industry is protected and jobs secured”.

The First Minister declared: “That is what independence means for Scotland – and that is the prize that is before us on May 7 with an SNP majority.”

The SNP leader believes an overall majority for his party will force the UK Government to allow a second Scottish independence referendum to take place.

The previous vote, held back in 2014, came after the SNP won an historic Holyrood majority in the 2011 election.

Scottish Greens, meanwhile, believe their MSPs can make up part of a pro-independence majority in the 129-seat Parliament.

Co-leaders Gillian Mackay and Ross Greer will also be among those addressing the rally.

Ms Mackay said that “every vote” for her party in the May 7 election “is a vote for a fairer, greener and independent Scotland”.

She added: “Every poll shows that it is those Green votes that can make the difference in terms of securing a pro-independence majority in May.

“With Labour failing on all fronts and the prospect of Nigel Farage in Downing Street, it is more crucial than ever that we take our future into our own hands.

“We cannot continue allowing decisions to be made for us by far and remote governments who are all too happy to ignore Scotland.

“If our parliament loses our pro-independence majority, then we risk Labour, Tories and Reform putting up even more hurdles and barriers, and launching even more attacks on devolution.”

Speaking to the Press Association ahead of the march, Scottish Tory leader Russell Findlay said: “It would be very easy to dismiss John Swinney walking around waving flags as a bit of a joke, but it’s not a joke.

“We’ve already heard what he’s said, he thinks he’s going to win a majority, he’s going to say that will give him a mandate for another divisive and damaging referendum.

“Then he’s talking about being the prime minister of an independent Scotland in five years’ time.

“So it’s not a joke – it’s not a laughing matter.”