First Minister to set out vision for Scotland in 2050

First Minister John Swinney will address the Scotland 2050 conference in Edinburgh this afternoon (June 17), setting out his vision for what Scotland could achieve as an independent country.

Addressing a mixed audience of public, private and third sector, academia and politicians, the First Minister is expected to say:

“It is only by taking charge of our own destiny, with our own hand on the tiller, that we are better able to ride the waves of change, that we are better able to shape our own future.

“I have long believed that Scotland is an afterthought to successive UK governments. Scotland is not on Westminster's radar in the same way, say, as London, the Midlands or the Southeast.

“It holds us back in ways big and small, leaving us waiting and praying, hoping that decisions taken at Westminster are not too damaging.

“We are prey to a broken system and a failing economic model – a system that delivers for a very few at the very top, while living standards stagnate and real wages are squeezed for the vast majority.

“All this when we have the capacity to stand and flourish on our own two feet.

“Independence is the defining choice for this generation, have no doubt. Because the UK status quo has proved itself incapable of delivering on the hopes and ambitions of the people of Scotland.

That is why, like a clear majority of Scots, I believe that our nation should have the right to choose.

“A Scotland that is modern, dynamic and forward-looking, living in anticipation of what more can be done, what else can be achieved. Moving forward as one, moving forward with hope and self-belief.

“Such a Scotland is within reach, I have no doubt. But if we want it, we have to work for it, we have to vote for it, we have to actively, purposefully, and I hope also joyfully, make it happen.”