logo
MacAskill calls on Swinney to take part in independence summit

MacAskill calls on Swinney to take part in independence summit

He wants Alba, the SNP, the Scottish Greens and the smaller pro independence parties, the Scottish Socialist Party and the Independence for Scotland Party to agree "a powerful statement" on independence which would be put in their manifestos for the poll in May 2026.
In his letter Mr MacAskill, who served with Mr Swinney in Alex Salmond's governments, presses him to participate in the gathering, pointing out he recently convened a summit on tackling the populist right.
READ MORE:
Scottish Greens to stand in Holyrood by-election
SNP tell Sarwar to back Scottish visa to boost economy and population
Chapman keeps place on committee despite court ruling attack
Last chance for SNP to deliver on key policies beckons
He also points out Mr Swinney's willingness to work with Alba during this year's budget process in Holyrood, when Alba MSP Ash Regan voted for the government's tax and spending plans.
"We both served throughout the entirety of Alex Salmond's government, from the historic breakthrough in 2007 through to the 2014 Scottish Independence Referendum and its aftermath," Mr MacAskill, a former Scottish Government justice secretary, tells Mr Swinney.
"I am sure you will agree that it was an exciting time for those involved, and one which we can all look back on with a great deal of pride in what we were able to achieve for the people of Scotland.
Alba leader Kenny MacAskill (Image: PA) "Key to our success was the ability to work with individuals with whom we did not agree on everything, but with whom we could work on an issue-by-issue basis. Alex set the tone and as finance secretary you played a positive and constructive role.
"During your own time as First Minister, you have demonstrated a willingness to work with the Alba Party to deliver and pass your recent budget. If you are willing to convene a summit on combating the rise of populism and the far right in Scotland then surely we must be able to work together for independence."
Mr MacAskill is speaking at the pro-independence All Under One Banner march and rally in Glasgow today where he will call Mr Swinney to "put country before party" and to take part in the summit to chart a way forward for demanding and achieving independence at the Holyrood election in May next year.
He is also writing to the leaders of the other pro-independence parties, including the Scottish Greens, the Scottish Socialist Party and the Independence for Scotland Party urging them to take part in the summit.
He wants the leaders of all the parties to discuss "how we make the next Holyrood election a plebiscite election by, for example, agreeing on a simple and powerful statement to be included in each of our parties manifestos."
In a statement, Mr MacAskill, who cited coverage from The Herald's campaign on poverty this week, said: "Scotland is crying out for independence as sky high energy costs and the threat posed to the poorest and weakest in our society from Westminster's benefit cuts clearly demonstrates.
"In the week when oil refining finally ended at Grangemouth with the loss of 400 jobs and it was revealed that 80,000 children in Scotland are living in severe poverty it is beyond doubt that Westminster rule is failing the people of Scotland.
"The coming Holyrood election can be Scotland's independence election but it requires all independence supporting parties to come together in a show of unity. We can disagree about the why of independence but we can all agree on the urgent necessity of achieving independence and begin to discuss and agree how we get there.
"That is why I am writing to John and the other pro-independence party leaders asking them to commit to taking part in an independence summit to discuss how we make the next Holyrood election a plebiscite election by, for example, agreeing on a clear and unambiguous statement to be included in each of our parties manifestos.
"Independence offers a better way for Scotland but we need to work together to achieve it. I believe an Independence Summit is an essential first step in charting a clear and positive way forward. Let us unite the movement and come together in an essential show of unity."
The SNP was approached for comment.
Scottish Greens co-convener Patrick Harvie said his party would not be taking part.
"Every vote for the Scottish Greens is a vote for a fairer, greener and independent Scotland in the European Union," he said.
'If we want to build a better country, lower the cost of living and tackle the climate crisis, we need the full powers of a normal independent country.
'We will always work with those who share our vision for a progressive Scotland to achieve those policies and improve people's lives.
'But we have a significantly different vision about the future of Scotland from Alba, so attending their summit wouldn't be appropriate.'
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Busy UK tunnel on the verge of tolls to plug huge £820k funding gap
Busy UK tunnel on the verge of tolls to plug huge £820k funding gap

Daily Mirror

time37 minutes ago

  • Daily Mirror

Busy UK tunnel on the verge of tolls to plug huge £820k funding gap

Debate has broken out following proposals to charge UK motorists for driving through a 61-year-old tunnel that attracts 25 million drivers, cyclists and pedestrians every year Brits could soon face charges for driving through a major UK tunnel in a controversial move that has been branded 'outrageous'. The Clyde Tunnel, which connects north-west and south-west Glasgow has long been a crucial part of the city's transport infrastructure since fully opening back in 1964. Estimated to have cost £10.5 million to build, the two-way tunnels - which are both 762 metres long - were only expected to handle around 9,000 cars every day. ‌ Today, they attract more than 25 million vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians each year. However, Glasgow City Council is now facing a yearly shortfall of around £820,000 for managing the road, due to it requiring regular maintenance and repairs. ‌ At a recent council meeting, Cllr Angus Millar, the convenor for climate, Glasgow Green Deal, transport and city centre recovery, said the council was continuing its talks with Transport Scotland * and local government body Cosla to discuss the upkeep of Clyde Tunnel. "The council has no specific proposals to introduce any road user charging in Glasgow," he said. "However, members will be aware that the council has repeatedly stated its interest in further exploring possibilities around a boundary congestion charge and potential tolling at the Clyde Tunnel. Both [would] exempt Glasgow residents." ‌ According to The Times, Glasgow MSP Paul Sweeney argued it isn't 'sustainable' for Glasgow City Council to continue maintaining the tunnel without raising additional funds to cover the cost - which accounts for around 10 per cent of the city's entire annual road maintenance budget. "Over the past decade, Glasgow city council has lost the equivalent of a full year's worth of funding as a result of disproportionate SNP cuts to Glasgow, compounded by the constrained council boundary, meaning that many of the region's most prosperous households do not contribute to the city's tax base," he added. The politician concluded that a toll for vehicles using the tunnel who aren't registered within the Glasgow boundary is therefore a 'reasonable proposal in line with European norms'. However, other MSPs have slammed the proposals - arguing it would 'punish' workers, families and patients travelling to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital. ‌ "Many of the hospital's dedicated staff commute from outside the city, and this charge would clobber them simply for driving to work," said Annie Wells, a Scottish Conservative MSP for Glasgow. She branded the move 'outrageous' - scathing the council for even 'considering' plugging the funding gap through a traveller toll. It is unlikely that any form of toll would be introduced until after the Scottish Parliament elections next year. No specific details on how much UK motorists would be charged for using the tunnel have been announced. *The tunnel is not a designated A road meaning Transport Scotland does not have responsibility for its management.

Swinney an ‘analogue politician in a digital age' says Streeting
Swinney an ‘analogue politician in a digital age' says Streeting

Telegraph

time5 hours ago

  • Telegraph

Swinney an ‘analogue politician in a digital age' says Streeting

John Swinney, the First Minister, has been described by the UK Health Secretary as an 'analogue politician in a digital age' in a row over the Scottish Government's failure to create an NHS app. Wes Streeting said there was 'no excuse' for the devolved government not to have introduced an app that allows patients to book appointments with their GP, order prescriptions and manage hospital appointments. A similar app was rolled out in England six years ago. Plans to create an NHS Scotland app are underway but are currently limited to a trial for dermatology patients in NHS Lanarkshire. A national rollout is not expected before the end of the decade. Mr Streeting warned patients in Scotland are 'missing out' and said it showed why Scotland 'can't afford a third decade of the SNP'. He is the first senior Westminster politician to publicly criticise the running of Scotland's NHS, which has been under fire for lengthy waits. Mr Streeting said: 'The UK Labour Government is embracing technology to deliver a better NHS for patients and their families, giving them more control and transparency over their treatment. 'In John Swinney, the SNP have an analogue politician in a digital age, and patients in Scotland are missing out. 'The SNP have record funding and complete control of the NHS in Scotland, there's no excuse for this, and it just shows why Scotland can't afford a third decade of the SNP and needs a new direction with Anas Sarwar as first minister.' It is not the first time that Scotland's First Minister has been accused of being slow to bring the Scottish NHS into the 21st century. Earlier this year, Ian Murray, the Scottish Secretary, made similar remarks after GPs said they looked 'on with frustration' at the digital health tech divide between England and Scotland, citing the delay in launching tools such as the NHS Scotland app. Mr Streeting has pledged to improve the use of technology in the NHS south of the border and last week announced improvements to the country's NHS app, which already has 35 million users. Sir Keir Starmer, the Prime Minister, said the app would 'become, as technology develops, like having a doctor in your pocket, providing you with 24-hour advice, seven days a week'. The 'supercharged' version of the app is promised to be delivered by 2028 and is expected to allow patients to book and check hospital appointments, interact with specialists or visit an 'AI doctor' for advice. An app for the Scottish health service, announced in 2021, is not expected to launch on a trial basis until December. Its functionality will initially be severely restricted, with its only practical purpose being to allow dermatology patients served by one health board, NHS Lanarkshire, to be notified of appointments. If successful, rollouts will continue in other areas until its full introduction in five years. 'Sustained improvements for patients' According to the latest official health statistics, the number of patients waiting more than 78 weeks for treatment in Scotland has increased to 38,070, while in England the figure has halved to 1,154. Cancer treatment waiting time standards are also being missed. A spokesperson for Neil Gray, the Scottish Health Secretary said: 'Scotland's planned online app is for both health and social care and we will launch it in Lanarkshire by the end of 2025. 'National rollout will commence through 2026 and we will publish a national rollout plan later this summer. 'We will leave Labour to carry out personal attacks – the SNP Government's focus is on putting in place the lasting solutions which will deliver sustained improvements for patients. 'As Wes Streeting knows, Scotland's core A&E performance has been the best in the UK for the last 10 years, we have more GPs per head than south of the border, and we are building on this with record funding for health and social care this year.'

Scots pro-trans group launches bizarre defence of ‘men who can BREASTFEED'
Scots pro-trans group launches bizarre defence of ‘men who can BREASTFEED'

Scottish Sun

time5 hours ago

  • Scottish Sun

Scots pro-trans group launches bizarre defence of ‘men who can BREASTFEED'

Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A TRANS lobby group funded by the Scottish Government has been blasted for moaning that the rights of males 'who are able to breastfeed' are at risk after the Supreme Court ruling on gender. Scottish Trans has raised concerns over the protections available to those who have transitioned seeking pregnancy and maternity support. 1 Scottish Trans has complained that the EHRC's consultation threatens the rights of men "who are able to breastfeed" Credit: Getty The charity's complaints came in a response to watchdog the Equality and Human Rights Commission's consultation on a new code of practice for interpreting the law. But Susan Smith, from For Women Scotland, blasted the controversial practice of men who have transitioned to women breastfeeding. The campaigner said: 'Men who do this should be investigated for putting the health of a baby at risk.' Scottish Trans, part of the Equality Network, has received hundreds of thousands of pounds of Scottish Government funding in the past decade. The charity said they 'strongly disagree' with EHRC's statement that the explanation of the legal rights and responsibilities set out in the new content defining sex at birth is clear. It has published a response, complaining that there is 'now significant uncertainty following the ruling on whether trans women who are able to breastfeed can access pregnancy and maternity protection if they experience discrimination. 'We think that if they are unable to access these protections as a result of the ruling, that this is a further significant impact on trans people's equality and protection from discrimination, that the Commission has a statutory duty to highlight.' The group added: 'In addition, there is now significant uncertainty, following the Supreme Court ruling, on whether trans women who are able to breastfeed can access protection under section 13(6)(a) of the Equality Act if they experience discrimination because of this. 'We think that if they are unable to, as a result of the ruling, that this is a further significant negative impact on trans people's equality and protection from discrimination, that the Commission has a statutory duty to highlight.' Transgender women claim to be able to breastfeed, a process known as induced lactation, through therapy that mimics the hormonal changes of pregnancy. Man, 39, dies in hospital after 'major incident' in Scots town as cops lock down street & arrest suspect Medications such as estrogen and progesterone are often used to stimulate breast tissue development, followed by a transition to a medication called domperidone and a reduction in estrogen, to trigger milk production. But activists have voiced safety and nutrition concerns over trans women breastfeeding. Ms Smith said: 'Scottish Trans didn't seem worried when the Scottish Government lawyers argued that pregnant women who identified as men should lose all legal protection to maternity rights, but they have sprung into action to defend men who want to feed drug-induced discharge to babies. 'Women are routinely told that they should avoid alcohol and medication while breastfeeding, so far from being encouraged and protected, men who do this should be investigated for putting the health of a baby at risk.' Scottish Tory shadow minister for equalities, Tess White MSP, said: 'This is absolutely ludicrous. The Supreme Court's ruling in April couldn't be clearer; sex is based on biology. 'It's simply a matter of common sense that only women can become pregnant and breastfeed healthy milk to a baby. Health and Safety are paramount. 'It is vital John Swinney and his Ministers ensure that public bodies are upholding the law rather than bowing to irrational gender self-ID zealotry.' In April, Supreme Court judges clarified that sex in equality law is based on biological sex — not whatever gender a person says they are. It came after a challenge by feminist group For Women Scotland, who defeated the Scottish Government in court. SNP ministers had argued that anyone with a gender recognition certificate should be treated as the sex they say they are, for all purposes. New guidance related to the ruling and how organisations should act is now being drawn up by the EHRC.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store