FIRST MINISTER Humza Yousaf’s economic claims for a separate Scotland within the EU have been labelled “lazy and simplistic” by campaigners.
Just hours after Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar is expected to make a pitch for pro-independence voters today, Mr Yousaf will make an address at the University of Glasgow setting out his economic vision for the next election and for a separate Scottish state as he bids to win over “no” voters.
Arguing the “prize of independence” is worth £10,200 for each family, Mr Yousaf will say: “It is through independence, and in particular the powerful combination of independence and EU membership, that we can raise living standards.
“This is where the case for optimism comes in. Countries like Ireland, Norway and Denmark have both higher productivity and lower inequality than the UK.
“They combine economic dynamism with social solidarity. So, with all our strengths, the key question is this: why not Scotland?”
The SNP increasingly approach EU membership as a “wedge” issue in their campaigns — placing it front and centre.
Radical Options for Scotland and Europe’s (Rose) John Foster has called for a more “realistic appraisal.
“Mr Yousaf’s statement highlights ‘independence in Europe’,” he said.
“The First Minister has accepted the lazy and simplistic assumptions of pro-EU commentators that the existing poor performance of the British economy is the result of Brexit.
“From this month the EU will be imposing massive cuts in public spending, most heavily in the weakest economies.
“The EU currently has zero growth overall, collapsed investment and a constitution that mandates private sector dominance.
“Crucially, Mr Yousaf fails to mention a key theme of Scotland’s politics: public ownership and democratic control.
“Rose believes this must be a key part of any dialogue.
“So also should a realistic appraisal of the European Union as it exists today.”
