Latest News & Articles
Latest Westminster disasterclass this week shows why Scotland needs independence
What a week in Westminster! The crises have come thick and fast – from foreign policy, to immigration, to civil liberties in the UK.
In all of these issues, Holyrood is powerless. Scots have to sit and watch from the sidelines knowing that, despite the fact that almost all of its elected MPs support independence, Scotland remains trapped in a failing UK. Here are three reasons why this week shows Scotland’s urgent need for independence.
Sunak's threat to take the UK out of the ECHR shows contempt for devolution
Rishi Sunak declared yesterday that “a foreign court” cannot be used to defend human rights in the UK. Responding to a court defeat of his plan to deport asylum seekers to Rwanda, Sunak indicated he will withdraw the UK from the European Convention on Human Rights in order to get this plan through. But does he know or care what the implications are for the Union with Scotland?
Could Scotland's natural wealth help it prosper as an independent nation?
Many people are unsure about Scotland’s natural wealth, asking whether it could actually support the economy of an independent Scotland. We say that the real focus should be on how Scotland’s natural wealth can be used to help us transition to a more sustainable way of living. Here is a breakdown of Scotland’s natural wealth:
The Truth:
The value of Scotland’s natural environment to the economy is huge and lays the foundation for Scotland’s continued prosperity as well as a sustainable economy that respects the planet and future generations.
Would I still have free access to the Scottish NHS after independence?
Free access to a Scottish National Health Service would be a priority for many if Scotland were to become independent. Events in recent years have shown that remaining part of the Union is no guarantee of free access to the NHS.
The Truth:
Independence may be the only way to guarantee access to a free, reliable public health service in Scotland.
What an independent Scotland can learn from Denmark
Denmark is about two thirds the size of Scotland with a slightly larger population of 5.8 million. It comes in the top five of the Scotianomics Wellbeing Index. It is also far wealthier – the GDP per head is about twice that of Scotland. So how does independence work for Denmark? Here are five lessons for an independent Scotland.
UK Government set to scrap cap on bankers bonuses as millions face destitution
The UK Government is maintaining a policy from the short-lived Truss administration that would see the cap on bankers’ bonuses scrapped at the end of the month. To announce a policy like this during a cost of living crisis is either an act of sheer incompetence or it is the last act of cronyism from an administration that knows its fate.
Newly Elected National Independence Campaign Steering Group Announced.
Believe in Scotland – the umbrella body of 142 local and national grassroots independence campaign groups has announced the new make up of its National Campaign Steering Group after elections held in August and September. This is the second election to the organisation, which comprises 28 regional representatives and deputies from 131 affiliated Yes groups, joined by representatives of 11 affiliated national groups.
Independence Campaign Review (Believe in Scotland 2022/23)
Believe in Scotland is unique. Made up of 142 local and national grassroots independence campaigning groups, it’s the only body truly representative of the grassroots independence movement.
Our Goal is to make Scotland become an independent nation. We believe that independence is the only way to make Scotland a fairer, greener, wealthier, healthier, happier and more successful country.
Our Mission is to help the grassroots movement professionalise, raise funds, and access materials that will help them reach both undecided and open minded No voters.
Here are just a few of the highlights of Believe in Scotland’s independence campaigning activities in the last year.
The Wellbeing Economic Approach is the path to independence
A new report released today by Scotianomics, Scotland’s wellbeing economy think tank, sets out their plan for achieving a wellbeing economy through the Wellbeing Economic Approach. This article will take you through some of the many questions around the wellbeing economy and why it is important for achieving Scotland’s independence.
Five ‘Nos’ for Scotland from Labour
There is an increasing acceptance that Labour is likely to form the next UK government. Post-conference polling shows the gap between Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer is widening. So what does the party’s offer to Scotland amount to?
We analysed Keir Starmer’s conference speech and found it contained many blocks and betrayals of things Scotland was told it would have benefitted from under a Labour government. Here are five ‘Nos” from the speech.
Second Scottish Independence Congress 23/24
Believe in Scotland is hosting a series of events and discussions to agree how we and our 142 affiliated local and national Yes Groups campaign in 2024. We will also consider carefully how we respond officially to the suggested routes to independence that come out of the political party conferences in October.
Labour's incoherent Brexit plans are a dangerous distraction
If Labour gets in at the next election, Scotland can look forward to a tortuous and ineffectual attempt by the Westminster government to “make Brexit work”. Any improvements will be tiny and take years because there is no fundamental reset available inside Keir Starmer’s ‘red lines’.
Divergent economic priorities will be the reason Scotland becomes independent
Differences in economic policy between Scotland and the UK are nothing new. Since the creation of the Scottish Parliament, Scotland has implemented different taxation regimes, taken a different approach to investment and implemented different regulations in devolved areas.
However, Scotland’s pursuit of a wellbeing economy marks the point at which the Scottish and UK governments will diverge on a more foundational economic question: what should the purpose of the economy be?
The answer to this question makes Scotland’s independence inevitable.
Sunak's U-turn Makes Clear the Only Chance for Net Zero is Independence
Rishi Sunak’s latest roll back of net zero policy was more a statement of things that he would not do, rather than things he would. It has attracted backlash from the public, world leaders, his own party and perhaps most surprisingly, car manufacturers. It is difficult to make sense of this decision when the climate crisis has become a larger threat than ever. This does, however, present Scotland with an opportunity. The UK is not a viable option – not politically nor economically nor, apparently, as one committed to the future of humanity. Scotland has the chance to do something different. As SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn aptly put it, “Scotland has the energy – we just need the power”.
The UK government is sabotaging Scotwind
When the Scottish Government auctioned the right to develop offshore wind in Scotland’s waters last year there was huge excitement about the potential to create a headline 25GW of power. But the UK Government’s latest interventions means it is increasingly likely that less than a third will be onstream by 2030 – and it could be even less.