A thread about why I am voting for @HumzaYousaf. A bit long but I have a few things to say. I'm dividing this into two parts. 1) the road to independence and 2) the SNP's political position. They are of course closely connected. 1/9.
1) We're at a point of decision on our strategy for independence. I have supported a de facto referendum but recognise there are other views and this is a decision that must be reached collectively. I trust Humza to lead that conversation but not to try to impose his view. 2/9.
(I also trust him not to come up with quick fixes which no serious person believes can be achieved or to flirt with UDI, which has historically usually been a precursor to war. Those who are serious about independence make serious arguments.) 3/9.
Meanwhile devolution is coming under attack from UK Gov. Such sovereignty as we currently possess is expressed through our Parliament. It is inconceivable to me that an SNP FM would not robustly defend Scottish legislation. Humza is the only candidate who has said he will. 4/9.
2) Onto broader political positioning. This matters greatly. You cannot argue for independence in a values-free way. If independence is the SNP's heart, we also have a soul. The soul of the Yes campaign was a vision of a progressive social democratic European nation. 5/9.
Equality was fundamental to this. A Scotland for all of us, where each individual can reach their full potential. This means eradicating poverty, the biggest driver of inequality. It also means tackling prejudice & discrimination against minority groups. 6/9.
This vision brought tens of thousands into our party, believing that a better Scotland was possible. This vision has sustained support for independence and for the SNP. To move away from it at all would be an act of folly. UK politics may have shifted right. We should not. 7/9.
Humza is the candidate arguing for a wellbeing economy & for the benefits of economic growth to be shared more fairly. There's no conflict between a successful economy & an equal society. They're complementary. The UK's high level of inequality has wrecked the economy. 8/9.
There's much more I could say - about the urgency of tackling climate change, about social care etc but that would be far too long for anyone to read. I will of course support anyone the party elects but my firm view is that #HumzaForScotland is the best choice. 9/9.
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