Like the majority of people in Scotland I voted to Remain in the EU in 2016, and was both angry and saddened to be dragged out anyway. Independence is now our only route back to EU membership, delivering Scotland our own seat at the European table and giving us back the right to work, travel and study across Europe.
The Scottish Greens believe that independence in Europe would allow us to build a fair and green Scotland. We want to build a truly democratic nation state where everyone is empowered and where all elected representatives are truly answerable to the public.
As an independent nation, Scotland would have the powers and potential to be a leader in the transition to a zero-carbon economy, working with the EU, the UN and our partners across the world to lead the change. We are committed to an independence referendum during the next parliamentary session, at a time decided by a simple majority of the Scottish Parliament.
The Scottish Greens provided a pro-independence majority in the last parliament and we are ready to do so again. The situation is urgent. The Tories have been clear. They want to spend untold amounts of money on expanding their nuclear arsenal, while at the same time slashing the budgets of vital public services across the UK and delivering yet more grinding and cruel austerity for the rest of us.
Scotland’s ability to create a fair and stable economy is limited by most tax powers still being controlled at Westminster. An independent Scotland would have the power to tax consumption of luxury goods, carbon emissions from corporations and the wealthiest in Scotland.
With the potential and talent Scotland has in innovation and renewable energy, we could be leading European efforts to tackle the climate emergency. We want Scotland to be a modern, outward looking nation with our own seat at the European table, driving change across the continent and restoring the rights of workers. This election is a chance to endorse that vision and vote for the Scotland you want by voting Scottish Greens.
