AN Aberdeen independence group has praised SNP leadership candidates for their response to seven key questions.
It comes ahead of Kate Forbes, Ash Regan and Humza Yousaf going in front of members at a hustings in the city today.
The Aberdeen Independence Movement (AIM) put issues such as Doric, the Just Transition and the grassroots Yes movement to the trio.
While Forbes had yet to respond, Yousaf and Regan were praised for their replies.
A spokesperson for AIM said: “We are impressed by both candidates’ responses.
“All the candidates have said they will work with the grassroots of the movement, but actions speak louder than words.
“Both Humza and Ash have shown that they have genuine respect for and want to work with the grassroots of the movement. For them, it’s way more than just rhetoric.”
Below are the full responses to AIM's questions.
1. Will you work closely with the broader independence movement to build the case for independence?
Ash Regan: Absolutely! I’ve set out my firm intention from day 1 of my leadership to bring our movement into a cohesive and purposeful Independence Convention, to build the vision and campaign, and an Independence Commission to ready Scotland for independence.
Humza Yousaf: Absolutely, yes. We cannot and will not be able to secure our independence without using all of the talent within the SNP, our affiliated organisations and wider independence movement. I firmly believe that it will be the activists, the people on the ground, our grassroots movement, who will win our independence. Have no doubt about it, I will be your First Activist and I will be campaigning alongside you all. First on the doorsteps, first on the phones and first campaigning for independence, right by your side.
2. The current Yes movement needs regional campaign organisations, such as the Aberdeen independence movement in many regions of Scotland. Do you support regional organisations that produce their professional campaign material, and how would you encourage the creation of such organisations across Scotland?
Ash Regan: Campaigning at locals and regional levels is critical to demonstrating a independent Scotland that can work for all. I see Regional organisations as a key enabler to both support local groups and feed local knowledge into the national campaign.
Humza Yousaf:
I think the Aberdeen Independence Movement is a great example of the innovative and tailored approach we need to take to the independence campaign. When we have activists of different parties and none coming together to make the case for independence, that is a great thing and reflects one of the key strengths of the 2014 referendum.
This is the approach I would take as SNP leader at a national level, and I would be keen to explore how the SNP’s Independence Unit can connect with and help to facilitate regional and sectoral organisations campaigning for independence.
3. How will you protect and promote the North East's distinct culture, i.e. Doric?
Ash Regan: Scotland has a rich heritage of culture and our languages are core to that! Doric, Scots and Gaelic are all part of who we are. I’ve been watching carefully the preparations for democratic change across the Irish Sea with the Identity and Language (Northern Ireland) Act 2022 and in Wales where independence support gathers pace and language is a core part of a national identity. Richness of our language is to be celebrated and protected, not apologised for or allowed to be mocked by Brexit bland Unionist politicians.
Humza Yousaf:
Regional identity is greatly important to people across Scotland, and rightly so. Each corner of our great country is unique and that diversity is a huge strength, and opportunity.
I’ve seen this first hand by living in different parts of the country, during my time as Minister for Transport and Islands when I worked with a range of Scottish communities, and right now – as I travel the country as part of the leadership contest.
The Scottish Government has already made a number of commitments to protecting and promoting the various languages and dialects of Scotland. Primary legislation is needed for this, and a Scottish Languages Bill could serve as the legislative vehicle that will enable progress to be made. If elected as First Minister, I am committed to ensuring that legislation on a Scottish Languages Bill is brought forward.
I think it’s vitally important that Scotland’s Parliament understands and serves the needs of all of Scotland. As part of that, I would also like to restart the Scottish Government’s travelling Cabinet meetings, which were a great way to hear first hand from people in communities across Scotland.
4. In 2014, we failed to make the local case for independence. We believe the selling point for independence should differ significantly in places like Aberdeen compared to Central Belt Scotland. Would you support and bring regional economic and social prospectus to fruition for diverse areas of Scotland, such as the North East?
Ash Regan: I recognise the criticality of understanding where our independence benefits each area of Scotland to support our local prospectuses. The NE has for too long been Scotland’s economic engine with its control at Westminster and lobbying at Holyrood.
Technology negates the need for centralisation and we must reach out to every community across Scotland to understand how we can support them to thrive to the edges of devolution and beyond to independence. Regional groups are incredibly important to achieve this.
Humza Yousaf: Yes, I think it’s vitally important that we make not only a compelling national case for independence, but that we offer robust and inspiring visions for each part of Scotland – tailored to the needs and distinct opportunities of those areas.
This is something that I would task the SNP’s Independence Unit to take forward, in partnership with others in the independence movement, like Business for Scotland and regional organisations like AIM.
We must demonstrate that independence will undeniably improve the lives of everyone in Scotland, wherever they live.
5. A Just Transition is more than just a buzzword for the North East. It's our friends, family, jobs and way of life. Can you set out your plan for the Just Transition under the current system & with the full powers of independence?
Ash Regan: Just transition must come off words on a page and mean something tangible, particularly to communities across the NE. I am meeting with communities, workers, unions, innovators and educators to ensure we support a decarbonised Oil and Gas sectors that is the powerhouse to the skills and innovation for rapid, safe transition to an enhanced, clean energy sector, staying and growing in Scotland to deliver on our net-zero ambitions safely for the communities of the NE and for all of Scotland.
Humza Yousaf: (See response to question 6)
6. Will you spell out the reality that a Just Transition within a devolved government format will be challenging and that the North East would benefit the most in Scotland from independence?
Ash Regan: We can and should work to the walls of devolution in all we do in Holyrood, including Just Transition, but with it being an independent country and currency creator, our ambitions are limited by lack of ideas but lack of powers. I will not allow our energy powerhouse to be squandered to corporate profit as has since the 1970s. The people of Scotland would never forgive us. Independence is urgent and for that we must all work together and focus on unlocking that door to a future that the people here control the direction of.
Humza Yousaf: I am going to answer question 5 and 6 together, as I feel the two go hand in hand.
It’s clear that a Just Transition within the devolved context is challenging and, as with so many other aspects of life in Scotland, independence would offer us a wider range of options. Without a doubt, having the full powers of independence would allow us to unleash Scotland’s true potential in the energy sector and beyond.
Under my government, I would commit to our Just Transition programme. We have seen the scarring to communities and the societal damage that happens when through the process of industrial change there is a government that doesn’t support people through that. In any government I head, we will never leave people and communities behind. We will invest in people to make sure that they are able to play their full part in the Net Zero economy.
As part of that I would ensure that existing funding is targeted at skills – enabling people to top up their skills so they can access the tens of thousands of good quality jobs that will be available, and to support young people coming into the labour market to work in new low carbon energy industries.
I would also roll out a pilot project – a skills passport – which would enable people to move smoothly between oil and gas and renewables.
As First Minister, I will also keep pressure on the UK Government to support the acorn carbon capture project, which is a huge investment and essential for decarbonising our energy.
A Just Transition is not just about people working in the oil and gas sector either. I also recognise the knock on effect on local businesses and communities if jobs are lost, which is why my government will prioritise building the clean energy industry. I want us to create more jobs and wealth, which stays in Scotland and fuels our wellbeing economy instead of simply boosting the profits of big oil companies.
As First Minister, I will deliver a Green Innovation Master Plan that will help end fuel poverty in energy rich Scotland once and for all. It will not only cut bills and hand consumers access to affordable green energy, it would also create hundreds of thousands of new skilled jobs and bring billions into our economy.
However, there is so much more we could do with independence to achieve a Just Transition and green economy. With independence, we wouldn’t have to wait for UK Government approval or funding, or face having legislation and policies blocked. With independence we can go so much further – we can turn Scotland from a nation of enormous renewable potential to a genuine renewable superpower.
With independence, we could redesign an energy market that aims to provide secure and reliable low cost energy. Scotland’s enormous renewable energy resources would be the bedrock of our new economy.
Independence would allow us to invest remaining oil revenues and use our borrowing powers to set up an independence investment fund which could contribute to Scotland transitioning to Net Zero and kick start the sustainable economic growth, which will be important to a newly independent nation. Such a fund could support a massive programme to decarbonise housing, cut fuel bills and reduce fuel poverty. It could finance the building of thousands more affordable homes, and invest in local renewable energy projects - helping communities own assets and wield more influence over their use.
Scotland can be a model for how an economy can make the fastest possible transition to net zero, transforming itself, decarbonising, and creating secure, well-paid jobs.
7. Do you support setting up a wide civic campaign organisation with a code of conduct at its heart that protects all minorities while representing the civic, progressive, outward-facing nation we seek to be?
Ash Regan: Scotland is an outward-looking country. William McIlvanney once famously called Scotland a “mongrel nation” and was praised for the compliment.
Society coalesces around values that unite us and the independence movement is one of the best examples of a self-governing movement that represents what Scotland stand for and what we won’t stand for. Progress only happens when we work together to break down walls of misunderstanding or fear.
I launched my campaign in the shadow of our incredible Queensferry Crossing and I believe that Scotland truly shows who we are and what we can achieve when we build bridges.
Humza Yousaf: Yes. Scotland’s campaign for independence should reflect all of Scotland. It should be inclusive and represent the kind of independent Scotland that we all want to build.
