JOHN Swinney has addressed ending the “minister for independence” role in the Scottish Government.
In a position introduced under Swinney’s predecessor Humza Yousaf, minister for independence Jamie Hepburn was tasked with advancing the case for Scottish independence across government departments.
However, when the new SNP Cabinet and ministerial team was announced on Wednesday, Hepburn had been moved over to be Minister for Parliamentary Business. The independence minister role was axed.
Swinney addressed the move in an article for The National on Thursday, arguing that every Scottish Government minister had responsibility for independence.
READ MORE: Lesley Riddoch: John Swinney cannot afford to treat independence as an afterthought
He wrote: “Because the Scottish Government believes independence offers the best future for Scotland, all Cabinet Secretaries and ministers – not just one – are responsible for helping to bring about that better future.”
Other changes to Swinney's ministerial line-up saw the "wellbeing" dropped from the economy brief, which was given to new Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes.
The minister for planning role was also dropped, as were specific briefs on the just transition, Europe and international development, and biodiversity.
Elsewhere in his article for The National, the First Minister argued that impatience and short cuts would not win independence.
Instead, he said that competent government and “respectful persuasion” were tools with which a pro-independence consensus could slowly be built across Scots society.
Swinney (above) wrote: “As a party we will use every electoral opportunity to advance the cause. The next such opportunity will be the forthcoming UK General Election. The SNP will go into that election on a manifesto which will say on page one, line one: ‘Vote SNP for Scotland to become an independent country.’
“Between now and then there is a crucial job for the SNP - to show the people of Scotland that winning independence is not separate from their top concerns. It is through independence that we can build a stronger economy, higher living standards, and a better NHS.
“We have achieved so much together: a Scottish Parliament and an independence referendum, both of which looked a long way off to me when I joined the SNP.
“They were accomplished by always keeping our eye on the prize, building support, keeping up the pressure, and trusting in democratic power. That’s how we are going to win our country’s independence.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel