SNP is accused of trying to distract from party meltdown as it vows to allow an independent Scotland to ramp up immigration and reintroduce EU free movement – while keeping the border with England open

The SNP was accused of trying to distract from its internal party problems today as it unveiled immigration plans for an independent Scotland. 

The nationalist administration at Holyrood wants the country to reintroduce EU free movement if it quits the UK and is allowed to rejoin the bloc.

At the same time it also wants an independent Scotland to remain in the Common Travel Area, which currently allows free movement of UK and Irish citizens between their respective nations. 

The launch of the paper, Migration to Scotland after independence, has been released as the SNP hemorrhages support ahead of a general election expected next year.

It is embroiled in rows over the disappearance of campaign funds, deleted Covid-era messages sent by ministers and support for gender recognition reform. 

Just 55 per cent of the SNP’s backers last time round are still behind Humza Yousaf’s troubled party, with 21 per cent saying they will switch to Labour in a poll this week.  The Scottish Election Survey’s Scoop Monitor also found that the SNP trails Anas Sarwar’s party 38 per cent to 32 per cent in Westminster voting intention.

Pamela Nash, chief executive of Scotland in Union, said: ‘Given the various crises engulfing this Scottish Government, it is no surprise to see it revert to type and focus on the break-up of the UK. But people want ministers to concentrate on the things that really matter like the NHS, education and jobs.

In her foreword, Shirley-Anne Somerville, the Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, said Scotland’s future was ‘being determined by a Westminster government which says its ambition is to cut the number of people coming into the UK’, something she said was ‘immensely damaging to Scotland’.

Pamela Nash, chief executive of Scotland in Union, said: ‘Given the various crises engulfing this Scottish Government, it is no surprise to see it revert to type and focus on the break-up of the UK. But people want ministers to concentrate on the things that really matter like the NHS, education and jobs.’

MSP and former leadership contender Ash Regan defected to Alba at the weekend, the third third senior figure to leave since Mr Yousaf took over.

Just 55 per cent of the SNP’s backers last time round are still behind Humza Yousaf’s troubled party, with 21 per cent saying they will switch to Labour.

‘And yet again, this paper tries to paint a ”land of milk and honey” picture without addressing the realities and the difficult questions.

‘If the SNP was being honest with voters, it would address the challenges of a border between us and the rest of the UK, and the lengthy, difficult and expensive process to join the EU. 

‘This is nothing but a smokescreen to hide from the SNP’s failings in office, which should be the top priority for Humza Yousaf and his ministers.’ 

It comes as the First Minister deals with a wave of defections and departures after just six months in charge in place of Nicola Sturgeon. MSP and former leadership contender Ash Regan fled to to Alba at the weekend, the third third senior figure to leave since Mr Yousaf took over.

The Scottish Election Survey’s Scoop Monitor also found that the SNP trails Anas Sarwar’s party 38 per cent to 32 per cent in Westminster voting intention.

Currently reserved to Westminster, migration has caused previous friction between the UK and Scottish governments after former first minister Nicola Sturgeon in early 2020 called for a separate visa system north of the border to address demographic issues. The call was summarily rejected just hours after it was made.

Today’s paper sets out how an independent Scotland’s immigration system would work. 

It sets out how it would keep the CTA, before adding: ‘Once Scotland is able to rejoin the EU, free movement of people within Europe would resume as a reciprocal right for Scottish citizens to live and work in the European Economic Area (EEA) and EEA citizens to live and work in Scotland.’

In her foreword, Shirley-Anne Somerville, the Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, said Scotland’s future was ‘being determined by a Westminster government which says its ambition is to cut the number of people coming into the UK’, something she said was ‘immensely damaging to Scotland’.

‘Higher migration leads to higher productivity, which is the key driver of higher living standards,’ she wrote.

‘Migrants contribute to a higher national income, bring greater innovation, start more businesses and pay more in taxes than they receive in public services. And the paper highlights the positive role that people who choose to live and work here make to the NHS and to vital Scottish industries, such as food and drink and tourism.’

A UK Government spokesperson said: ‘Our points-based system rightly prioritises the skills we already have in the UK, while attracting the talent our economy needs to grow. It is broader than the previous immigration system, with many more jobs now eligible, stretching across all key sectors of the British economy.

‘Immigration is a reserved matter for the UK Government, and the points-based system works in the interest of the whole of the UK.’

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