SNP model of independence is "dead" claims Alex Salmond's former policy chief Alex Bell

Alex Salmond’s former head of policy has claimed the SNP’s model of independence is “dead”.  

Alex Bell, who helped shape the party’s 2011 election strategy and worked on the white paper until leaving his post over two years ago, said its claims on the economy of an independent Scotland were “wishful” in the run-up to last year’s referendum and “deluded” today.

He claimed it is “morally dubious” of the SNP for “posing as the defender of the poor against Tories” when its “ill-prepared version of independence does not plausibly offer any real alternative”.

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Opposition parties said it marked a “powerful condemnation” while the SNP argued its continuing case for "self-government for Scotland" is being backed by a growing number of Scots who feel the UK government’s promise of further powers has not been delivered.

Writing on new current affairs blog Rattle.Scot, Bell said: “The leadership are disguising their main aim, sovereignty, until a referendum victory looks likely. In fact something else is at work.

“The SNP is shifting its emphasis because the leadership can find no way of achieving the core aim safely.

“Cut Nicola and no doubt she still bleeds independence, but what she means by that is far less clear than before the referendum.

“The doubt arises because the campaign towards the 2014 vote, and the economic information since, has kicked the old model to death.

“The idea that you could have a Scotland with high public spending, low taxes, a stable economy and reasonable government debt was wishful a year ago – now it is deluded.”

Bell suggested John Swinney, Scotland’s longest-serving Finance Secretary, is “unfit for the job” if he fails to grasp such a situation and “so we must assume these bright people know that the old model, once optimistic, is now dead”.

He added: “The fact is a gap exists – Scotland does not earn enough to pay for its current level of spending. Once you accept that, you acknowledge that the SNP’s model is broken.

“That model, as expressed in the White Paper and numerous speeches, is that it was possible to move from the UK to an independent Scotland and keep services at the same level, without either borrowing a lot more or raising taxes. It isn’t.”

Scottish Labour’s public services spokeswoman Jackie Baillie labeled Bell’s comments an “extraordinary intervention from the man who was at the heart” of the SNP’s independence campaign.

“Alex Bell is absolutely right to say that it is wrong for the SNP to claim they oppose Tory cuts but offer no alternative,” she added.

Scottish Conservative deputy leader Jackson Carlaw said: “This is more confirmation that the SNP is merely a propaganda machine which hopes it can trick people into thinking it is a competent government.

“But looking at the failures in all the main devolved areas such as health, education and justice - it’s clear it is anything but that.”

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie said: "Immoral fools with no credible alternative is a powerful condemnation from someone who knows the SNP leadership well."

An SNP spokesman said: "In the year since the referendum, every opinion poll conducted on the matter has shown an increase in support for independence, with some putting Yes ahead.

"This is due to the widespread anger that the UK government has not delivered on their vow of more powers for Scotland - but also because the SNP continues to make the case for self-government for Scotland, and demonstrate a strong track record in office."