John Swinney answers questions

Brodick Hall was packed with people on Sunday, 30th March, to hear what John Swinney, Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Employment and Sustainable Growth, had to say about Scotland’s independence. They were not disappointed.

Mr Swinney, who has all the lean charm of a very nice greyhound, is a clear, highly cogent speaker. His introductory remarks were kept short, evoking an overall sense that Scotland does not have enough control over its own affairs and pointing out that all parties in the Holyrood parliament voted in favour of spending £1 million to counteract the effects on Scotland of the iniquitous Bedroom Tax. Then the meeting was open for questions.

Throughout the evening, Independence was treated as a national concern, not a narrowly political one. On finance, Mr Swinney said investment in renewable energy would be a key factor, as would an agreement to state a fixed level of spending and debt, which would have to be adhered to. He pointed to welfare as a vital way to support people and enable them to get into employment, and added that immigrant workers would be a vital element in developing the economy.

The audience behaved with Arran’s customary courtesy, though some of the questions were searching. A Guardian article suggesting a possible deal with the Westminster government that might lead to retaining Trident and the Faslane base was quickly debunked, as was any suspicion that there might be continuing support for nuclear energy. ‘Our main aim,’ Mr Swinney said, ‘is to get rid of Trident.’ And there was a roar of applause.

Not everyone present was a supporter of the Yes campaign, but the mood was overwhelmingly one of enthusiastic support. Mr Swinney brought with him a sense of intelligence and freshness that is far removed from the trivial obfuscations of Westminster, and there was a strong sense that Scotland has picked up Barack Obama’s now discarded phrase, and can use it with meaning. YES, WE CAN.