Scotland held back by the decisions of Westminster, Swinney tells rally

John Swinney has told crowds at a pro-independence rally that Scotland is being “held back by the decisions of Westminster”.

It comes after the First Minister and SNP leader insisted ahead of the march in Edinburgh on Saturday that the “prize” of Scottish independence is up for grabs when Scots go to the polls in May.

He started by thanking everyone involved in the march for “giving us this opportunity to say loud and clear throughout Scotland to the international community: Scotland is ready for independence, and it is coming now”.

The First Minister said: “We’re a country of good values. We believe in compassion, we believe in dignity, we believe in the respect of other people. We believe in equalities, we believe in human rights. We’re against illegal wars. We are in favour of peace around the world. That’s who we are as a country.

“But the United Kingdom stops our voice being heard on the international stage, and I want it to be heard loud and clear that Scotland is a country that believes in peace. We abhor nuclear weapons. We abhor war around the world. We are a country that believes in peace and equality and fairness, and we will be the independent voice in the days to come.

“I am proud to lead a government in Scotland that is reducing child poverty, improving the lives of people in our country, but we are held back by the decisions of Westminster, where, in an energy rich country, our people live in fuel poverty, paid sky high fuel bills, that’s the fault of the United Kingdom, and we must take Scotland’s energy wealth into Scotland’s hands with independence.”

He added: “I say to every one of you, this is a moment for action. This is a moment to take the marching that we’ve done together in solidarity, in a sense of community that we’ve all enjoyed today out into the streets and communities of Scotland to make sure Scotland’s voice is heard on May 7.

“We’ve got colleagues from other parties here today, and they will make their pitch for how people should vote in the election, but as leader of the Scottish National Party, let me make it clear, I want an overall majority so I can take Scotland’s future into Scotland’s hands.”

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 a historic Holyrood majority in the 2011 election.

Meanwhile, Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay said: “While John Swinney was up a hill rabble-rousing with nationalist die-hards, I spent the day talking with ordinary Scots in the real world.

“By leading a nationalist rally on the first weekend of the election campaign, he confirmed how out of touch he is with the people of Scotland.

“Waiting tables at a restaurant in Swinney’s back yard, I heard about people’s real concerns including cost-of-living pressures and the plight of Scottish hospitality businesses.

“Swinney’s flag-waving antics confirmed that independence will always be his only priority.

“He says that he’ll win a majority on May 7 and use that to demand another divisive and unwanted referendum.

“Across Scotland, voters can stop an SNP majority by backing the Scottish Conservatives on their peach ballot paper.

“Unlike weak Labour and the fake unionists of Reform, we’re the only party with the strength to stand up to the SNP and stand up for the Union.”