Independence would allow Scotland to take in more refugees, a Green government minister has claimed.
Scottish Green co-leader Lorna Slater said it is “time to have a conversation about what kind of country we want to be” as she answered questions on the Ukraine refugee crisis.
Slater, who is the circular economy minister, made the comments as the UK continues to face criticism for its efforts to help refugees fleeing the war in Ukraine.
The Greens joined cross-party appeal from the Scottish parliament for the UK government to accelerate its refugee plans.
Slater used her speech to her party’s conference at the weekend to insist that a “fairer, greener and independent Scotland” could offer “safety and solidarity to refugees”.
Speaking on BBC Scotland Slater confirmed on Sunday that the Scottish Government is still working towards having a vote on the future of the UK in 2023.
Slater said: “We are working towards having an independence referendum next year.”
Speaking on BBC Scotland’s The Sunday Show, Slater said: “I think that is an independent country, a proud member of the EU, that has the powers to do things like upgrade our own electricity grid, install our own offshore cables, there’s so much we can’t do.
“Our hands are tied by Westminster, and we could do much more as an independent country, we could take in more refugees.”
Nicola Sturgeon, who brought the Greens into her government six months ago as part of a co-operation agreement ,has insisted it is still her aim to hold such a ballot before the end of next year, despite the UK Government’s opposition.
Scottish Conservative constitution spokesman Donald Cameron said: “It’s disgraceful that, despite our economic recovery remaining fragile, and a war in Ukraine, the nationalists still want to push ahead with trying to divide us.”
He added: “The last thing we need is the extremist, anti-growth Greens obsessing over independence, especially when their economic arguments for breaking up the UK have never been weaker.
“It’s high time the SNP-Green Government stopped fantasising over separation and focused more on our recovery from the pandemic, as well as supporting the humanitarian efforts in Ukraine.”
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