HUMZA Yousaf has launched the fourth document in the Building a New Scotland series on the country’s future.
The latest paper sets out the Scottish Government’s vision for a modern constitution in an independent Scotland.
Specifically, it sets out why Scotland needs a written constitution, explains the benefits of having one and describes how the people would be involved in creating this.
How can I read the paper?
Humza Yousaf officially launched the paper at a press conference in Glasgow this morning.
It is titled Building a New Scotland: Creating a modern constitution for an independent Scotland and is available to view on the Scottish Government’s website HERE.
What does the paper say?
The paper explains how a modern constitution in Scotland would work although Yousaf was keen to stress that it would be the people who decided what it included.
During his press conference, he cited potential parts of it may include protecting the right to take industrial action, protecting the NHS or to set standards for the Government.
Watch live: Building a New Scotland fourth paper – Creating a modern constitution for an independent Scotland. First Minister @HumzaYousaf holds a press conference from Atlantic Quay, Glasgow.#ANewScotland https://t.co/4LOcBdBf9j
— Scottish Government (@scotgov) June 19, 2023
The First Minister’s foreword to the document reads: “Independence would give Scotland the ability to continue its progressive approach to human rights and equality, without the current restrictions of the devolution settlement and without the threat of Westminster overruling our decisions or unwinding our advances.
“This would ensure that our human rights and equality protections could cover all policy areas, including those currently reserved to the Westminster Parliament.
“With independence, we can build a better country on that fundamental right of every person in Scotland to be treated equally, and with a written constitution, Scotland can build a new home for democracy, rights and equality.”
