North-east residents joined the debate on Scotland’s future yesterday as the SNP Government’s “national conversation” roadshow arrived in Aberdeen.
First Minister Alex Salmond and members of his Cabinet were quizzed by an audience of 250 in the Elphinstone Hall, at the King’s College campus of Aberdeen University.
It was fourth in the series of “national conversation” events held by the Scottish Government on the country’s constitutional future and was the best attended so far.
Mr Salmond and his team were asked questions by former users of Choices, the city day centre for disabled people shut down last year, as well as local councillors, community representatives, student politicians, academics and members of the public.
Asked whether Scotland contributed a net surplus or deficit to the UK treasury, the first minister responded: “If the unionist parties sincerely believed that Scotland was a subsidy-junkie then don’t you think they would have got rid of us by now?
“Margaret Thatcher would have privatised us,” he joked.
Mr Salmond went on to say that an independent Scotland with borrowing powers would be better placed to tackle the recession and cash-in on the huge opportunities offered by the growing renewable energy sector.
“Do we want to go on with an arrangement where we control the spending but not the resources?” he asked.
“We have got to increase the size of the wealth in this country and distribute it fairly between its people.”
On renewable energy, Mr Salmond was asked whether the Nationalists’ famous slogan “It’s Scotland’s oil” should be replaced with “It’s Scotland’s wind”. He said: “The tens of thousands of jobs which can flow from the construction of the massive platforms needed for wave and tidal power . . . we’re going to see the effects of these jobs this year, believe me.
“It’s my belief that renewable industry will be as big in industrial terms as oil and gas.
“I think it’s our second big win in the energy lottery.”
Conservative city councillor Jim Farquharson asked when the local authority in Aberdeen would receive a fair funding settlement, following £60million of budget cuts over two years while it has been Scotland’s lowest funded council.
Finance Secretary John Swinney said: “I would pay tribute to the city council leadership who have had the courage to deal with a very difficult set of decisions.
“It wasn’t just the funding settlement – the city council had been living beyond its means for many years.”