John Swinney on Scottish independence post-Coronation
John Swinney speaks on the appetite for Scottish independence following a costly Coronation.
The 1953 Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II symbolised a new era, closing on the wartime experience. It was a time of celebration and unity between Scotland and the United Kingdom after overcoming the horrors of war. 70 years on and the Coronation of King Charles III was greeted by a very different Scotland. Flag waving was a common sight in London but in some areas of Scotland, fist shaking was an accepted gesture upon mention of the new king.
While money was dished out on a silver spoon for communities to host Coronation tea parties, thousands paid a visit to their local foodbank to pick up emergency food parcel. This Coronation did indeed signify a new era- one of financial struggle, distaste for the monarchy and growing nationalism in Scotland.
While the debate about the future of the monarchy is a pressing matter for the whole of the UK, independence is the big question for most Scots. Remaining in the UK and funding events like the Coronation during a period of financial crisis, paired with decision making like Brexit, figuratively push Scotland further from the mainland.
After the Scottish people voted to remain in the UK during the 2014 referendum, the question of independence has been the country’s greatest debate. Costly events like the Coronation have a kick in the teeth effect for many Scots who are struggling financially, especially the 44% who voted to leave the UK in 2014.
The exact budget of the Coronation has not been released but it was expected to cost the British taxpayer between £50- 100m, the costliest Coronation to date. During a cost-of-living crisis, with Scotland feeling the greatest financial strain, the celebration felt like a noose of British bunting around the country’s neck.
John Swinney was Scotland’s right-hand man, serving as Deputy First Minister for nine years. He has seen the effects of the cost-of-living crisis among the Scottish people.
“In my constituency caseload, dealing with a broad cross section, the members of the public who are really struggling financially, some of those individuals are living in serious conditions of poverty,” he said.
“Others are just finding that ordinarily they would probably consider themselves to be quite comfortably off but because of the cumulative effect of increased mortgage costs, and food costs and power costs, their incomes are under acute pressure.
“I think when people have that lived experience of the cost-of-living crisis, and they see the cost of the Coronation, I’m not at all surprised that people have a sense that that was an expenditure that should have been cut.”
Mr Swinney has campaigned for an independent Scotland the entirety of his adult life and believes it is as significant today as any stage of his political career. A new monarch means a new era for the United Kingdom but is it time for Scotland to enter its own era and shed the shackles of the union?
Since the 2014 independence referendum a great deal has happened to drive a wedge between Scotland and the UK. The decision to leave the European Union was one that Scotland did not vote for. A staggering 62% of Scots voted to remain but were dragged out of the largest market on our doorstep by voters down south.
Mr Swinney believes this is an example of why Scotland should be free to make their own decisions, he said: “In the context of these major seismic events in our society today, Brexit that we didn’t vote for, an approach to the economy which was catastrophic last September and we’re all having to pick up the pieces from that.
“The effect that has on people’s life chances and opportunities highlights the need for us to act to achieve independence, so that people in Scotland can make their own choices on these important questions, and crucially, secure our membership of the European Union.”
Believe in Scotland is a non-party political organisation who help coordinate campaigning for grassroots YES groups. They do not campaign for or against the monarchy as they feel this should be up to the people of Scotland.
Niamh McGhee is a researcher for the group and said: “The biggest public feeling that we have observed towards the monarchy and coronation is ambivalence – people don’t seem to feel too strongly in support, other than a small minority.”
Urgency for Scottish independence has been brewing for almost a decade now with major events like Brexit and the costly Coronation pushing voters over the line. Many believe Westminster is denying Scotland a second referendum because they fear they will lose.
“Scotland has never been more ready for independence,” Miss McGhee said. “We have a strong economy in terms of international exports, we are a renewables powerhouse and possess a large part of the natural wealth of the UK.
“We have many of the institutions for governing already in place through devolution and I would argue that our political system, while it still has its problems, is significantly less toxic than the UK Government.
“Independence presents us with an opportunity to solve the systemic issues affecting politics in the UK.”
