Women for Independence
Why we support Independence
Cath Ferguson, Glasgow
The Scottish Parliament has been great for Scotland. It’s given a sense of confidence, purpose and limited self-determination that we never had before. However, the arbitrary nature of the devolution settlement, with some policy areas devolved and others reserved makes no sense; either for Scotland or England. For example, health is devolved; welfare reserved. These two – along with poverty, housing and social inclusion – are interlinked. They cannot be split and good policy making retained.
Currently Westminster – both Labour and Tory – welfare reforms are causing devastation for people and communities, and there is little the Scottish government can do, even though it impacts on health and the NHS, which are devolved. There are many other such policy anomalies, such as transport, energy and business.
We have a parliament in Edinburgh that is closer to the people, more accountable, more democratic, and that acts in the interests of Scotland and her people. It makes sense in all ways – governance, democracy, social, efficiency - that this parliament should collect taxes, legislate and control the resources of Scotland, the way any normal country does.
I believe Scotland would be a more confident, outward looking, better run and socially democratic country if we were independent. The UK wishes us to remain in the union so we can stay “strong”, which means trident, a seat at the top table, wars we don’t want. This is simply not the future I want for Scotland. We can be so much better - and stronger - than that as an independent nation.
