‘Our priority is to build support for independence’ – John Swinney

First Minister John Swinney has said his “priority” is to build support for independence by encouraging people to see it as a “solution to the challenges” Scotland faces.

Addressing a group of SNP activists and the media in Edinburgh on the 10-year anniversary of the independence referendum, Swinney said new powers devolved to Scotland after that vote had led to “positive legacies”.

And he pledged to “build on the game-changing investments” such as the Scottish Child Payment to increase support for independence going forward.

The Scottish independence referendum took place on 18 September 2014 and resulted in a vote to remain in the United Kingdom. Polls have shown little change in attitudes towards the constitution since then, with the country split about half and half.

When he became first minister earlier this year, Swinney pledged to “unite the SNP and unite Scotland for independence”.

And in the run-up to the July general election, he argued that backing his party would “intensify pressure” on the UK Government to hold another referendum.

But the SNP took a considerable hit in the polls, losing half a million votes and dropping from 39 Commons seats to just nine.

Speaking on Wednesday morning, the first minister said the SNP must work to “translate independence into an everyday concept that provides a solution to the challenges” people face.

He added: “Our priority is to build support for independence and to make that palpable and demonstrable in Scotland.

“And to do that, I’m going to point my party in the direction of ensuring that we translate independence into an approach, a route, to prosperity and opportunity and security for people in Scotland, so they can see independence as a solution to the challenges.”

The first minister also said the UK was moving “decisively and emphatically” towards wider constitutional change, including both Scottish independence and Irish reunification.

That followed comments by former first minister Nicola Sturgeon to the BBC predicting a “shake-up” of UK governance in the years to come.

Sturgeon said: “I believe that, perhaps as part of a wider shake-up of UK governance, the reunification of Ireland, perhaps, more autonomy in Wales, that I think we will see Scotland become an independent country. I'll certainly campaign and advocate for that for as long as I've got breath in my body.”

Asked about his thoughts on those comment, Swinney said he agreed. He said: “I think the tide and the pattern of those debates is moving decisively and emphatically in that direction.”