Keith Brown: SNP’s ‘ambition and optimism’ will lead to independence

A message of “optimism and ambition” for Scotland’s future will lead the country to independence, SNP depute leader Keith Brown will insist.

After the challenges of the pandemic, Brown will stress that Scotland’s future post-Covid must not be “limited by the relentless negativity” of a Westminster system that is “broken beyond repair”.

He will accuse the London-based parties of having a “can’t-do attitude” and a “complete lack of vision” – contrasting this with the SNP’s belief that Scotland “has what it takes to be a successful independent nation”.

Brown, who is opening the SNP annual conference, will tell those watching the online event that the party is in “great shape” and has “great resolve”.

Speaking at the start of the virtual gathering, he will say: “The last couple of years have been challenging for all of us, and they have made us all think about what really matters in our lives.

“As a responsible government, the SNP’s first priority has been – and remains – steering Scotland safely through the pandemic.

“While the whole Westminster system is quite clearly broken beyond repair, we are focused on delivering for the people in every corner of Scotland.”

He will add: “As we look to the future, we will urge the people of Scotland to think about what kind of country they want to live in when the pandemic is over.

“Who is best placed to make decisions affecting their lives? Who is most committed to making Scotland a fairer, more prosperous nation and tackling key issues like the climate emergency?

“We will not allow Scotland’s future to be limited by the relentless negativity, the can’t-do attitude and the complete lack of vision from the unionist parties.

“Our case for Scotland’s future is one based on optimism and ambition. A belief that our nation has what it takes to be a successful independent nation.

“And a belief that the people who live here can take better decisions about their lives rather than leaving Westminster in control.

“That is the case we will make in the months ahead – and that is the case which will lead us to independence.”

However Pamela Nash, chief executive of the pro-UK campaign group Scotland in Union, said: “With a new opinion poll revealing that 59% of people in Scotland want to remain part of the UK, Keith Brown is hopelessly out of touch.

“He has nothing to offer but tired old rhetoric and the arguments of yesterday, while the country has moved on and is looking to the future.

“Rather than obsess about how to divide Scotland’s communities, we have a positive future ahead of us in the UK where nobody is left behind and we build a recovery for everyone.”