Does Scotland have what it takes to be an independent country?

Scotland possesses greater natural resources, skills and education compared to many independent countries, with higher wealth per person and lower poverty levels. We have a highly skilled and educated population with a reputation for quality.

However – and as part of a UK with the worst wealth and poverty levels in north west Europe – Scotland doesn’t have the power to use those resources to make ourselves wealthier and fairer because Westminster controls them.

Scotland not only has the resources and skills to create wealth but is naturally big enough to be independent. Its population is bigger than Luxembourg, Iceland and Ireland and very similar to Denmark and Norway – all neighbouring countries who are richer per person than the UK, and also with far less poverty and inequality.

In the 2014 referendum Westminster politicians suggested voting ‘Yes’ would mean Scotland would be thrown out of the EU and wouldn’t be welcomed back even if it applied. As the result of the 2016 referendum shows it was the ‘Yes’ campaign’s warning which proved right. Since then European politicians have indicated Scotland would be welcomed into the EU.

The discovery of oil off Scotland’s coast could have been a great benefit but remained in Westminster control. Despite hundreds of billions of pounds going to the UK Treasury the money has been wasted year on year. 

Those offshore skills can now be applied to the expansion of offshore renewable energy. With Scotland having 63% of the UK’s economic exclusion zone we have a great opportunity as a nation to become a world leader in renewable energy.

Scotland has significant onshore and offshore renewable resources and is ranked first amongst the UK’s nations and regions for green growth potential and opportunity.

We are an energy-rich nation. Independence offers Scotland a real opportunity to take advantage of our renewables potential as well as tackle the threat of climate change.

Scotland is big enough, is clever enough, and is rich enough to be a wealthier, fairer and greener country.