SNP independence papers branded ‘a waste of money’ after series is axed

The SNP’s series of papers advocating for Scottish independence has been terminated after a significant drop in public interest following the party’s recent general election defeat. The SNP government announced that only one final document will be released in the “Building A New Scotland” series due to the declining interest from the public. Critics opposing independence have labelled the series as a misuse of public funds at a time when essential services are under strain. Finance secretary Shona Robison confirmed that the series is coming to a close, with a government spokesperson later reaffirming this decision.

Chair of Scotland in Union, Alastair Cameron, condemned the papers as “anti-UK propaganda sheets” and highlighted that the public deserves politicians who focus on enhancing public services and boosting the economy within the UK. The Scottish government’s spending plans for the upcoming year, revealed by Robison, did not contain any mention of independence. With the SNP lacking a majority in Holyrood, they will need support from other parties for their Budget to pass in February. The Liberal Democrats have previously indicated that they would oppose any spending plan involving efforts to break the Union.

The SNP’s strategy for independence has undergone revision after their representation in Parliament dwindled to just nine MPs following the last election. Initially, the election was seen as a de facto referendum where the SNP would push for IndyRef2 with a majority win in Scotland. Nicola Sturgeon launched the Building A New Scotland series in a bid to secure a second referendum, but interest in the series has declined significantly, with no new papers released since April this year. The most recent independence paper on justice only garnered 2,087 page views and less than 320 downloads since its publication.

In conclusion, the decision to halt the SNP’s independence papers due to waning public interest reflects a shifting political landscape in Scotland. The criticism of the series as a wasteful use of public funds underscores the need for a focus on improving essential public services and stimulating the economy. As the SNP navigates a path forward post-election defeat, it is evident that the debate over Scottish independence continues to evolve amidst changing public sentiments and priorities.