Swinney says independence 'within our grasp' as he unveils childcare plan

John Swinney outlined plans to offer childcare to all primary schoolchildren as he told the SNP conference that independence is “within our grasp”.

Delegates gathered for the party’s one-day spring conference at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre (EICC).

Earlier they had passed a motion calling on the UK Government to prepare for Scottish independence, with the Union likened to an “abusive relationship”.

Swinney told delegates that if his party wins May’s election, it will extend government-funded childcare until the end of primary school, providing families with up to £11,000 a year, dependent on need.

And he said the government would underwrite the cost of the clear up in Glasgow city centre following the devastating fire at Union Corner, setting up a £10m recovery fund to support the city council and local businesses.

He said the childcare plan would be backed by over half a billion pounds of new investment.

He said: “We will deliver a brand-new childcare system that fits around families – rather than expecting families to fit around the system.

“And because parents’ work doesn’t stop during the summer holidays – neither will the provision of childcare. Our new approach will mean families benefit from between £1,400 up to over £11,000 dependent on need.”

Swinney said Scotland had natural resources that other countries “could only dream of”, adding that Britain had been left “broken by Brexit”.

He added: “We know there is a better way forward. The fresh start that Scotland needs is within our grasp.

“Conference, we are closer to becoming independent than we have ever been. We can almost touch it.

“Support for our cause has never been at such sustained high levels. And it is not just in Scotland where Westminster control is slipping away.

“In May, for the first time ever, we could see first ministers in Scotland, in Wales and in Northern Ireland elected, who are all committed to independence from the UK. That would be an absolutely seismic moment.”

During the conference’s morning session, delegates unanimously backed a motion calling on the UK Government to prepare for independence.

The party’s position is that if it wins a majority at Holyrood on 7 May, it will have a mandate to seek a second referendum, despite the UK Government repeatedly ruling this out.

Norman MacLeod, a Glasgow city councillor, said Scotland had been subsidising the rest of the UK for too long, likening the Union to an “abusive relationship” .

“My dear neighbours [the rest of the UK] you are going to have to learn to stand on your own feet. No more guaranteed subsides from us.” 

MacLeod told delegates that Scotland subsidises the rest of the UK with money from oil and gas, renewables, as well as various reserved taxes.  

He said: “We're constantly told the big lie that we live off the rest of the UK – nothing could be further from the truth.  

“Scotland’s only problem is how wealthy we will be when we become independent.” 

Alex Orr, from the Meadows and Morningside branch in Edinburgh, seconded the resolution, telling the conference the motion was about “prudent planning” and it would be “extreme fiscal negligence” on the part of the UK Government not to make arrangements in the lead up to independence.