WE at The National would like to extend a warm welcome to Andrew Wilson, our new columnist.

Wilson is the author of the SNP's Growth Report on the economics of an independent Scotland which was been praised by some and criticised by others, but few would deny that it reinvigorated the independence debate.

In a very personal piece tomorrow, Wilson outlines his plans for his column in the coming weeks and months. 

Wilson said: "It is a great privilege for me to be joining The National. This newspaper gets better and better and has huge potential. It has shown in some great debate leading front pages and stories last year that went around the world that it can contribute hugely to the independence case. 

"The collective focus of all of us who believe in the urgent need for independence is to pull together and focus our minds, words and deeds on an honest, candid and ambitious vision for the country we wish to create. 

"Independence is a means to an end not an end in itself – a platform for new visions for the country we seek to become. It won't be built in a day nothing worthwhile ever is. And it wont be built at all unless we unify the settled will of the country behind it.

"I have never been more confident in our case, our abilities and in the imperative of getting there. When we win I believe we will carry the same sort of support we achieved in the vote that restored the Scottish Parliament. That must be our ambition now".

You can read Wilson's column every Thursday.