THE First Minister will urge Scots to reject another 25 years of Westminster austerity and embrace an independent future as he sets out his vision for 2050 this week.
In two keynote speeches this week, John Swinney will set out his vision for the country in the coming decades and encourage leaders to come together to deliver a national renewal “in the spirit of optimism and hope”.
On Monday, he will address those in the health, local government, education, justice and third sectors in Glasgow.
He will set out his case for public service reforms in the medium term and how new technology will be key to delivering this.
On Tuesday, the SNP leader will address the Scotland 2050 Conference in Edinburgh, where he will say that independence is key to achieving Scotland’s goals for the middle of the century.
Speaking ahead of the speeches, Swinney attacked austerity, which he said had weakened the UK and hurt the most vulnerable.
But he urged Scots to be positive about their future.
He said: “Times are tough right now for a lot of people – and when that is the case, it can be easy to forget how much there is to be positive about in Scotland.
“As First Minister, I see so much collaboration, ingenuity and innovation taking place around the country.
“Our collective task is to harness what is going well ensure every part of Scotland can thrive.”
The First Minister said the UK had been a “perfect example of how not to prepare for the future”.
He said: “After the devastating financial crash of 2008, Westminster’s response was not to hold those who were responsible to account – but rather to punish those not responsible.
“Social security support was taken from vulnerable people, funding for vital public services was cut and living standards were eroded.”
He described austerity as “morally wrong” and that it had negatively impacted the nation’s health, skills and infrastructure, adding that “it is clear that that short-sighted decision has also been fiscally disastrous in the long-term”.
He said: “Why cut funding to invest in new technologies when we know it can save in the long term?
“Why take away young people’s opportunities if it will reduce their potential to thrive as adults?
“Why cut the winter fuel payment if it leads to older people more exposed to ill health?”
He went on: “The harsh lesson of that 15 years of lost opportunity must spur us on to building a better future – let us deliver a spirit of optimism and hope.
“In the year 2050, do we want to be looking back on how we picked up the pieces from another 25 years of Westminster mismanagement?
“Or should we look around us at our immense potential today, and have the confidence that we can do better with the full powers of independence?
“The Scotland I seek is modern and dynamic; it is an enterprising, compassionate, forward-looking nation that is well-placed to ride the waves of change rather than being buffeted by them, rather than being overwhelmed by them.
“A Scotland where tomorrow is better than today because – together – we have made it so.”
