We need a clear vision and action, not a 'damp squib' - Kenny MacAskill reaction to John Swinney's speech

A CLEAR VISION AND ACTION ON INDEPENDENCE ESSENTIAL INSTEAD WHAT WE GOT WAS A “DAMP SQUIB” SAYS MACASKILL

Reacting to the speech by First Minister John Swinney MSP at the Scotland 2050 Conference in Edinburgh today (Tuesday) Alba Party Leader Kenny MacAskill said:

“What we needed and what SNP activists, members and supporters are crying out for was a clear vision and action on Independence what we got from the First Minister was a ‘damp squib’.

The First Minister said that ‘Independence is the defining choice” facing the Scottish people but he has yet to set out the positive difference Independence will make and back that aspiration with the political will to achieve it.

Independence is not a nice to do at some point in the future it is absolutely essential to save our manufacturing industry, prevent further closures and job losses and to deliver lower energy prices for people and businesses. John Swinney needs to pursue Independence with the urgency that is required.

If Scotland is to really take our future into our own hands as he said then he must declare unambiguously that the coming Holyrood Election will be a plebiscite Election - Scotland’s Independence Election.

John Swinney must unite the pro Independence parties and the wider Independence movement by declaring that a majority of votes cast on the list for pro Independence parties will be the mandate for independence.

Only then can he re-energise the Independence campaign, put the fuel back in the tank and motivate independence supporters in the country.”