When it comes to investment in Scotland’s future, Westminster consistently shows where its priorities really lie - England.
Scotland has the talent and research base for growth sectors such as life sciences, offshore wind and green hydrogen. Independence would allow for targeted national programmes, backed by a national investment bank with real teeth, to grow industries for the long term instead of being constrained by UK Treasury rules.
An independent Scotland could nationalise the grid, plan upgrades strategically, and ensure housing and industry get the connections they need. Independent nations of Scotland’s size, like Ireland, Denmark or the Faroe Islands borrow, build, and repay. The Faroes have linked their islands with a network of subsea tunnels. Denmark is in the middle of a multi-billion euro infrastructure upgrade stretching to 2035.
Scotland has shown what is possible even within the narrow limits of devolution. Projects like the Stornoway deepwater terminal, the expansion of Scottish Water’s capacity in Perth, and the building of modern learning campuses prove that when decisions are made here, investment can be targeted and effective. But the scale is small because the powers are small. Westminster has shown us time and again, from UCS to Grangemouth, that Scotland comes second. Independence means Scotland comes first: building the infrastructure our businesses need, creating jobs, and investing in our future like every normal country does.