First Minister 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.”