First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said the new bid for an independent Scotland was the “biggest ever political listening device” and a “new debate for these new times” as she symbolically chose Stirling to launch the campaign, the city where William Wallace defeated English rule in 1297.
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She added: “There is a very real possibility that we are witnessing the end of Labour as a force to be reckoned with in British politics – perhaps the end of the Labour party full stop”.
He stated: ” We’ve got a set of problems in Scotland, the underfunding of the NHS, a crisis in GP provision, the educational attainment gap growing, she (Ms Sturgeon) should be in my view getting on with those bread and butter issues rather than worrying about another independence referendum.
Some doubt Scotland would now opt for independence given that it rachets up economic uncertainty during an already clouded outlook due to Brexit. “And sometimes, for whatever reason, having a baby just doesn’t happen – no matter how much we might want it to”.
And supporters cheered on the SNP leader as she promised change for Scotland in the wake of Brexit.
Ms Sturgeon has previously asked to be judged on her record on education over the new parliamentary term.
The First Minister refused to say if a Bill paving the way for another vote would be part of her programme for government to be unveiled at Holyrood on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, a report by think tank Common Weal claims an independent Scotland could save between £800m and £2bn a year in a study of options to apportion debt and assets in the event of a split from the UK.
“The last thing Scotland needs is another drawn-out debate on independence”, he said.
“I am not prepared to stand by and watch that happen without a battle”, she said, adding that she would seek extra powers from London for Scotland to preserve its current European Union ties to help universities and businesses.
Sturgeon went on to challenge unionist assertions that a future vote in favour of independence would jeopardise trade and open borders with the rest of the UK.
This prompted Scottish Conservative Leader Ruth Davidson to urge Sturgeon to focus on “real and present problems” like the shortfall in GP recruitment, while Labour’s Kezia Dugdale accused the Scottish National Party government of failing to use existing devolved powers to the full to prevent Westminster cuts being passed on to the Scottish people.
The Scottish Government’s analysis of economic data suggests that Brexit could hit Scotland’s economy by between £1.7bn and £11.2bn a year – depending on how the United Kingdom exits the EU.
“And second, important though the issue of European Union membership is, the case for independence is about more than that”.
“The SNP are determined to drag us back to the arguments of the past”.
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The Scottish Government has already set up a new business information service to provide advice and support for firms anxious about Brexit while a post-referendum business network is being set up with the Scotland Office, Scottish Trades Union Congress and business organisations to help shape future policy and support.
