Scotland can look to ireland for the opportunities independence brings — scottish national party

Increased tax credits, greater help for families, support on energy prices, tax cuts, mortgage relief and more educational and law enforcement staff. Unfortunately, this is not remotely what

is being discussed in Westminster. This is the latest budget from the Republic of Ireland, a country that has defied expectations, and is now a wealthy, happy, independent nation, at the

heart of both Europe and the United Nations. Independence has unleashed Ireland’s potential, with the country recently enjoying a budget surplus. The latest budget includes one-off support

payments for the cost-of-living, VAT cuts, an extension of free public transport and cuts in costs for students. In contrast, Scotland is stuck with Labour and Tory parties at Westminster

debating over how big a cut to Scotland’s ambition – and budget – should be made. TAXATION AND REVENUE The UK’s withered tax system rewards the ultra-rich and persecutes hard-working voters.

It has seen few major changes since Margaret Thatcher’s crusade to turn the UK from a compassionate society to one driven by competition, individualism and self-interest. Even in 13 years

of power, Blair and Brown failed to make the tax system properly progressive. And Sir Keir Starmer’s new Labour government offers no alternative, recently digging in its heels on a fresh

round of austerity, ditching winter fuel payments while keeping the brutal two-child benefit cap. With full powers over tax, the Scottish Parliament would not need Westminster’s consent to

introduce new revenue-raising ideas currently ignored by Westminster. Scotland would be able to make our tax system fairer and more sustainable, ditching the Tories’ economic orthodoxy, that

is harming economic growth, and to which Labour are now fully subscribed. With full tax powers, Scotland would be able to pursue progressive income tax policies while ensuring competitive

business and corporate taxes that attract investment and jobs, which Ireland has pioneered so successfully. > I don’t think I have ever seen a budget in which there are only > winners.

 Quite the impressive list from Dublin today: what a > contrast to the upcoming UK scenario. pic.twitter.com/PG3BNsofFr >  > — Duncan Morrow (@duncan_morrow) October 1, 2024

LABOUR’S CUTS ARE PUNISHING SCOTLAND The Scotland of today is unrecognisable from the Scotland Labour left to be fixed in 2007. Not only do we now have the most GPs per head, the best paid

nurses in the UK, more affordable housing, and the only NHS not to have ground to a halt because of pay disputes. We also have a country that is more in line with the European neighbours we

admire and respect. Free prescriptions, free tuition, free personal care. A nationalised rail service. Public infrastructure projects like the Queensferry Crossing delivered on time and

under budget. A social security system that puts people first, and the game-changing Scottish Child Payment. All this is in danger, thanks to Labour. Spending plans in Westminster have

forced us here in Scotland to make difficult decisions. Anas Sarwar and Scottish Labour are no different to their colleagues in Westminster. They’ve openly talked of bringing back tuition

fees and would gladly take a sledgehammer to the Scotland we have built together over the last 17 years. > Ireland is sitting on a surplus of €24bn. >  > UK is sitting on a black 

hole of £22bn. >  > Just saying. https://t.co/26TiICBzsZ >  > — Stephen Flynn MP (@StephenFlynnSNP) September 27, 2024 IMAGINE OUR POTENTIAL WITH INDEPENDENCE If we have achieved

this much during 17 years, restrained by Westminster’s devolution rules and the lack of borrowing and tax powers, imagine what Scotland could do with the full powers of independence. Like

our neighbours in Ireland, we could truly build that better path that the Westminster politicians will tell you doesn’t exist. The one they’ll tell you only leads to ruin. Well this week,

it’s Ireland’s turn to prove them wrong.