23/10/2024
In 1999, devolution was meant to mark a new era for Scotland—a time when Scots could take control of their own affairs. The Scottish Parliament was hailed as a symbol of self-governance, bringing decisions closer to the people. But over two decades later, has devolution truly delivered? Or has it acted more like a leash, preventing Scotland from reaching its full potential? More importantly, have unionist parties—the Scottish Conservatives, Labour, and Liberal Democrats—ever truly worked to make devolution succeed, or have they been too focused on keeping Westminster’s favor?
The reality is clear: devolution, as managed by unionist parties, has fallen short of its promise. It’s time to recognize that devolution is not enough. For Scotland to truly move forward, independence is the next logical step.
From the start, unionist parties like Labour and the Liberal Democrats approached devolution with caution. Between 1999 and 2007, they were more concerned with maintaining a cozy relationship with Westminster than with pushing the limits of devolution to benefit Scotland. While devolution granted powers over health, education, and justice, these were never fully utilized to their potential.
Take tuition fees as an example. In 2000, the Labour-led Scottish government introduced a graduate endowment scheme, which only partially eased the burden of student fees. It was a tentative measure, a half-hearted solution, compared to what the SNP later did—abolishing tuition fees altogether. This reluctance to make bold, transformative decisions was a hallmark of unionist rule.
Healthcare followed a similar path. In 2002, the introduction of free personal care for the elderly was a positive step, but it was a rare success. Systemic issues within the NHS, like long waiting times and persistent health inequalities, were largely ignored. Unionist parties seemed content with minor reforms, rather than tackling the deeper problems. The SNP later demonstrated how devolved powers could be effectively used to prioritize public health and address these issues head-on.
Infrastructure and transport decisions were also shaped by Westminster’s priorities. Unionist parties in Holyrood seemed more interested in seeking Westminster’s approval than pushing for full fiscal autonomy to allow Scotland to invest in its own future. The Labour-Liberal Democrat coalition avoided making the necessary changes to give Scotland greater control over its finances, preferring instead to preserve the union.
Even after the 2014 independence referendum, when promises of more powers were made, unionist parties continued to resist meaningful devolution. When it came to tax and welfare—critical areas that could have reshaped Scotland’s economic future—they hesitated. Their reluctance to grant Holyrood more authority was a clear sign that they had no real intention of letting Scotland take control of its destiny. The unionist parties would rather maintain the status quo than risk upsetting the balance of power held by Westminster.
This cautious approach to devolution leaves Scotland in a vulnerable position. As long as unionist parties control the conversation in Holyrood, Scotland will never be able to fully govern itself. These parties are bound to their UK counterparts, and their loyalty lies with maintaining the union, not with advancing Scotland’s interests. Their priorities will always favor Westminster over what’s best for the Scottish people.
Independence offers the chance to break free from this cycle. Devolution, limited by the unionist parties, has proven incapable of delivering the autonomy Scotland needs. Only through independence can Scotland truly take control of its future—its resources, its policies, and its destiny. Independence would allow Scotland to use its own wealth and talents to build a better, stronger nation, rather than seeing them channeled into serving another country’s interests.
The question is no longer whether Scotland deserves independence. The question is, how much longer can Scotland afford to wait? Can we trust unionist parties that consistently place Westminster’s needs above those of Scotland? Can we continue to rely on parties that seem more focused on preserving the union than creating a better future for the Scottish people?
Scotland deserves more than a Parliament that operates on Westminster’s terms. Scotland deserves more than parties that hold us back from true progress. Scotland deserves independence.
It’s time for Scotland to take the next step and reclaim its future.
