Thrive by Lesley Riddoch sampler

34 Introduction
trusted to make fair decisions.
So even dragging their collective feet or causing controversy,
Holyrood Ministers aren’t held in the low regard Scots reserve
for Westminster. Voters seem quite capable of distinguishing
between turbulent weather and a foul political climate. But
there’s more. Performance within a constrained devolution
settlement is no predictor of outcomes in a truly independent
country. Then we must stop resting on our laurels about outperforming
an unreconstructed rUK and tackle our underperformance
compared to like-sized, progressive, resourcerich,
small northern neighbours.
Independence will give Scotland the chance to turn away from
failing British defaults and adopt or adapt systems developed
over centuries by better functioning Nordic and Low Country
neighbours. They’re ready to help if we’re not too proud to
ask. That’s a far more promising policy future than constantly
letting out the seams on jaickets made to fit someone else.
But there’s still one bigger point to make.
Scotland’s settled will
The twists, turns and tribulations of Nicola Sturgeon and
Humza Yousaf have made headlines across Europe, but it’s not
just leaders or governments that mark democratic milestones.
More important is the growing political consensus within
Scotland itself.
Ardrishaig-raised Labour leader John Smith – quoted by
Humza Yousaf in his acceptance speech – first used the idea of
a ‘settled will’ 30 years ago to describe the steam gathering behind
devolution. But once that was achieved, that settled will didn’t
disappear. It matured, deepened and stands revealed today in
Scotland’s collective belief in the power of fairness, society and
democracy. Actually, that belief is probably more powerful than
backing for any constitutional outcome. The question has become
– which arrangement best protects, enhances and enables it.
The answer’s been made easier by successive