SNP pleas for Westminster cash just underline the importance of the Union

Nationalists march for Scottish independence in Edinburgh last month. Picture: Jeff J Mitchell | Getty Images

As nationalists gathered in Aberdeen for the SNP conference, John Swinney declared the “wind is in the sails” of the independence movement and heralded the launch of their ‘Choose Scotland’ campaign.

This, the First Minister promised, would be “the most sophisticated pro-independence campaign Scotland has ever seen”. “We will be inviting people in Scotland to choose a better future, where we make our own decisions – to choose using our energy wealth to bring down bills, to choose re-joining the EU in our own right, to choose a future where our pensioners aren’t short-changed to pay for personal care in England, and all of that comes choosing the fresh start of independence,” he added.

Clearly, strong criticism from across the political spectrum of his take on Andy Burnham’s plans to end the pension triple-lock in order to fund a National Care Service has not dimmed Swinney’s enthusiasm for his decidedly disingenuous claim about Scottish pensioners.

READ MORE: SNP invite Andy Burnham to conference ahead of visit to Scotland

The UK’s financial clout

Unfortunately for the SNP, all the talk about severing ties with the UK was somewhat undercut by Martyn Day’s request that Burnham should bring his “chequebook” when he comes to Scotland. The nationalist MSP was quite right to press the Prime Minister to deliver the £200 million in support for Grangemouth that Labour promised following the closure of the town’s oil refinery.

However, such funds represent just one example of the financial clout that the UK can bring to bear when trouble strikes. Figures published in August show that public spending in Scotland was £2,720 higher per person than the UK average last year. In total, public spending was £25.3 billion more than the revenue raised in Scotland.

So the UK government’s chequebook is already paying out vast amounts and suggestions anyone in Scotland is being “short-changed” should treated with caution.

READ MORE: Burnham showing 'hypocrisy' on independence and the EU, says ex Sturgeon chief

Scotland’s position is nothing to be ashamed of, with many parts of the UK in a similar one. It is more a reflection of London’s status as a global economic giant, than any shortcomings on our part.

However, we do need to recognise the reality that independence, like Brexit, would make us all considerably poorer – whether or not we’re pensioners or inhabitants of Grangemouth.