Scotland can Join Europe's Arc of Prosperity
SNP Leader Alex Salmond has today called for Scotland to join northern Europe's arc of prosperity, with Ireland to the west, Iceland to the north and Norway to the east all small independent countries in the top six richest nations in the world. In comparison, the UK is 14th and devolved Scotland 18th with similar, oil rich Norway over £12,000 per person better off.
Speaking in Edinburgh today Mr Salmond committed an SNP government to deliver a range of pro-enterprise policies designed to support Scotland's wealth creators and bring greater prosperity across the nation. Mr Salmond said that with an SNP government elected in May next year and a vote for independence within the first term of that government, Scotland would be on track to raise wealth per head by £4000 a year within 10 years, compared to continuing in the UK.
Commenting Mr Salmond said: "We already know that Scots send £1000 a head south to subsidise a London based government that cannot and will not put Scotland's interests first. This is the cost for each and every one of us today of our membership of the UK. "But if we continue as we are Scots risk missing out on even more - our share of the prosperity now being enjoyed by small, independent nations our nearest neighbours to our east, our west and our north. "Scotland can change to a better future and be part of northern Europe's arc of prosperity. We have three countries Ireland to our west, Iceland to our north and Norway to our east - all in the top six wealthiest countries in the world. In contrast devolved Scotland is in 18th place. We can join that arc of prosperity. By matching their success Scotland would be £4000 a head better off. It's time we seized this opportunity. "With distant London in charge, Scotland will just keep on slipping further behind. London rule means we are competing with these other nations with one hand tied behind our backs. "But, with independence, and matching the success of Europe's small, powerhouse economies, Scots can, within a decade, enjoy greater wealth - worth £4000 for every man, woman and child in our country. "I find it appalling that London Labour claims Scotland is uniquely unable to prosper with independence, especially as Ireland, Iceland and Norway all claimed their independence in the 20th century. "With the right pro-Scottish business policies lower tax, support for innovators and improvements to our national infrastructure and a real Scottish government, we have the potential to deliver for Scotland the same success now being enjoyed by our nearest neighbours. If they can do it, so can we." ENDS
