A SPEECH on Scottish independence by John Swinney has been met with a tepid reception from campaigners.
The First Minister insisted in a speech in Edinburgh on Tuesday that independence was “within reach” and said the constitutional question was the “defining choice for this generation”.
But the SNP leader’s comments, which come before a big party meeting this weekend, have been met with frustration from some corners of the independence movement.
Robin McAlpine (below), head of strategic development at the Common Weal think tank, told The National: “It is a truth universally acknowledged that an SNP leader in possession of an approaching party conference must be in want of a boilerplate speech about independence. It is the SNP National Council this weekend so regular as clockwork, here is the speech.”
He added: “As a professional political strategist I can tell you that you don't get to demand space in the political agenda, you need to earn space by having something to say that people want to hear, and that this isn’t it.
“But you will have your own tolerance levels for how much longer this can go on with us pretending this is an adequate response. I doubt me telling you it is not will change much.”
Kenny MacAskill, leader of the Alba Party, dismissed the speech as a “damp squib”.
He said: “What we needed and what SNP activists, members and supporters are crying out for was a clear vision and action on independence what we got from the First Minister was a damp squib.
“The First Minister said that ‘independence is the defining choice’ facing the Scottish people but he has yet to set out the positive difference independence will make and back that aspiration with the political will to achieve it.
“Independence is not a nice to do at some point in the future; it is absolutely essential to save our manufacturing industry, prevent further closures and job losses and to deliver lower energy prices for people and businesses. John Swinney needs to pursue independence with the urgency that is required.”
MacAskill reiterated calls for the SNP leader to contest next year’s Holyrood election as an unofficial vote on independence, adding: “John Swinney must unite the pro-independence parties and the wider independence movement by declaring that a majority of votes cast on the list for pro-independence parties will be the mandate for independence.
“Only then can he re-energise the independence campaign, put the fuel back in the tank and motivate independence supporters in the country.”
