Creating a modern, diverse, dynamic Scotland: First Minister's speech - 18 September 2024

Presiding Officer,

From my experience in taking part in every year of this Parliament, since it was reconvened 25 years ago, one thing is very clear to me.

That, no matter where any of us sit in this chamber, we – each of us – stood for election, because we care deeply about Scotland’s future.

We stood for election, because we know that decisions about Scotland’s future are best determined by people living here in Scotland.

And no matter where we sit in this chamber, I think we can also agree it is our aspiration that Scotland maintains her place in the world, as a modern, diverse and dynamic nation.

Scotland is the home of poets, painters, engineers, doctors and thinkers throughout the ages.

We are a nation on the cutting edge of solving many of the 21^st century’s most complex challenges.

We are an outward looking country that values our relationship with our neighbours and friends across the world, and it’s in that spirit that I open this debate this afternoon.

There exists in Scotland a range of opinions and emotions that we must embrace and discuss openly and respectfully.

Because, as I am about to set out, to do so is to maintain the very health of our democracy itself, a democracy each of us has stood for election to represent.

It is a story of the pursuit of self-determination which found new momentum when, in 1997, the people of Scotland voted overwhelmingly to reconvene the Scottish Parliament.

It was clear then, and it is clear now, Scotland is a nation with all the talent, creativity and ingenuity to chart her own course and to steer her own democratic institutions.

And the positive impact of devolution is indisputable. For 25 years, devolution has improved the lives of people in Scotland, making this a better and fairer place to live, through such policies as:

• Equal marriage
• Free personal care for older people
• Minimum unit pricing for alcohol
• Free bus travel for over two million people
• A ban on smoking in public places
• Land reform
• And, very close to my heart, action on child poverty through measures such as the Scottish Child Payment.

Among many other achievements, since 2007, this Government has used the powers of devolution to:

• Introduce the Baby Box, giving every baby born and resident in Scotland the support to have the best start in life, by providing families with essential items needed in the first six months of a child’s life.
• Ensure Scottish domiciled students continue to receive free university tuition, unlike elsewhere in the United Kingdom, given we abolished the graduate endowment fee in 2008.
• Introduce free prescriptions which are now £9.90 per item south of the border and a huge cost for low income families.
• Introduce the Council Tax Reduction scheme which reduces the tax bills of over 450,000 people in Scotland.
• Deliver free personal and nursing care which is extended to everyone who needs it, regardless of age.
• Deliver an affordable housing programme which has delivered over 128,000 affordable homes, the majority for social rent.
• And of course deliver 1,140 hours of funded early learning and childcare. If families were to purchase the funded childcare provided by the Scottish Government, it would cost more than £5,500 per eligible child per year.

None of this has been achieved by the Scottish Government in isolation, but through the strength of this Parliament and our common commitment to Scotland’s self-determination.

So, regardless of where Members sit in this chamber, regardless of whether Members view everything I have listed as successes or not, I trust Parliament will agree that people living in Scotland are substantially better off with a parliament that fights their corner, that leads for progress, and that champions the value of our unique and diverse communities – from every single corner of our country.

Presiding Officer, each of us in this chamber is extremely fortunate, for this Parliament gives each of us a voice.

And whenever we enter this building, as unique as Scotland itself, it reminds us of our duty to ensure the people of Scotland are heard too.

Our modern, diverse and dynamic democracy is our greatest asset. In many ways, 2014 was a year that proved that.

The equal marriage Bill passed, introducing one of the most progressive equal marriage bills in the world, and sending out a clear message about who we are as a nation.

Turnout for the independence referendum was the highest recorded at any Scotland-wide poll since the advent of universal suffrage. And that referendum was preceded by a genuine and serious national debate on the future of our nation. 

I wish to acknowledge the national debate wasn’t easy for every voter.

There were certainly lively discussions, but maintaining a healthy democracy is hard, because it requires us to navigate our differences respectfully.

If that were easy, we wouldn’t observe the sharp rises in populism that can emerge in times of economic hardship and uncertainty.

But – when I think back to 10 years ago – I can think of no better example of modern democracy in action.

Both the Scottish Government and United Kingdom Government published detailed papers of their arguments.

There were vigorous campaigns and grassroots involvement of people across the country.

And the historic importance of the decision was reflected in the length of time allowed for both sides to make their cases. 

Presiding Officer, the people of Scotland were able to take their decision, and my firm view in opening this debate today is that the people of Scotland should have the opportunity to take that decision again.

This Parliament has confirmed its belief that it should be open to any nation of the United Kingdom to choose to withdraw from the union by democratic means. That is my view and I believe that view of this Parliament should be respected.

Since the 2014 independence referendum and, sadly, since Brexit, which Scotland did not vote for – it’s clear that the powers and autonomy of the Scottish Parliament have been eroded.

They have been eroded by the excuse of Brexit to enable the United Kingdom Government to overrule this Parliament. The people of this country, who voted for this Parliament to have the powers it does, were not asked if they wanted the powers to be eroded.

The weakening of our powers should concern every one of us here – for it is our duty to ensure this Parliament’s powers, to represent Scotland’s will and Scotland’s aspirations, should be protected.

Presiding Officer, Scotland has prospered with the use of the devolved powers that we have at our disposal. Scotland demonstrated in the aftermath of 1997 that we had the capability to assume those powers.  

Since then, Scotland’s economy outperforms the UK in growth in GDP per person, growth in productivity, earnings growth, and foreign direct investment.

We have an impressive record on GDP per capita, growing faster than the UK since 2007.

And since 2007, productivity in Scotland has grown at an average rate faster than the rest of the United Kingdom.

And when we look at evidence from comparable independent, European states – many of them the same size as Scotland – we can see that they perform better than the United Kingdom. 

So that poses the question – what is the opportunity for Scotland to move forward? The opportunity for Scotland is to ensure that we deploy the strength and capability of our country to the maximum effect for the future of our country, ensuring that the decisions made in Scotland, by the Scottish Parliament, are respected – and able to be effective across all the areas of policy any Government would take for granted.

I believe an independent Scotland should be able to re-join the European Union and be able to pursue the prospects of growth and opportunity that so many of our people and our businesses want to enjoy.

I believe an independent Scotland could deliver a fairer and more welcoming system of migration, helping the economy to grow, while addressing depopulation challenges and supporting vital public services.

I believe an independent Scotland would remove, sensibly and safely, nuclear weapons from Scotland’s shores for good.

That an independent Scotland would benefit from the terms of a written constitution and benefit from investment in our public services using our wealth to secure the future of our country.

All of that is possible based on the experience of devolution and Scottish self-determination – the principle that decisions being taken in this country are best taken by the people who choose to live here and those who are elected to act on their behalf.

That is the foundation of the argument for Scottish independence, it’s the foundation of what people have experienced with devolution, it is urgent and essential that Scotland becomes independent.

I move the motion in my name that sets out that case.