SNP to hold National Assemblies on Scotland’s economic future
by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has received the report of the Sustainable Growth Commission, which was led by economist and former MSP Andrew Wilson. The report will be published on Friday.
The SNP leader has announced that the a series of National Assemblies will be held over the summer to debate and discuss the report’s recommendations.
Each National Assembly will consider a different section of the report and will be chaired by the new Depute Leader of the SNP.
Here’s what Nicola Sturgeon said today.
Scotland has strong foundations in business, in innovation and in our talented workforce – but we need to maximise our strengths to match the economic performance of successful independent nations of comparable size.
At a time when economic thinking and debate is heavily focused on how we limit the damaging impacts of Brexit on Scotland, this report provides an opportunity to step back, to look at Scotland’s economic future with optimism and to focus on how we seize our opportunities and achieve our full potential as a nation.
The report of the Growth Commission does not shy away from Scotland’s challenges – instead it looks at how we can address these challenges positively and in line with our core values as a nation.
It is not a report about the timing of a referendum – rather, it focuses on the ‘why’ of independence and how we can use the powers it will deliver to build a stronger economy and a fairer society.
In so doing, it heralds the start of a debate based on hope and ambition about the future of the country, rather than on the despair of Brexit.
I’m very grateful to Andrew and all the members of the Commission who have given generously of their time and talents to undertake what is a very substantial piece of work.
It is now for the SNP to consider the report’s recommendations. All members will have the chance to discuss the report in detail at local and national events over the summer, and to listen to the views of people across the country before the party takes a formal view on the report’s recommendations.