HAVING read Christian Allard’s article on the need to hold indyref before the Settled Status application deadline for EU citizens closes on July 1 2021, I can’t help but notice the bitter ironies contained within (It’s time for independence, say EU citizens in Scotland, January 26).

No matter which route Scotland takes to achieve independence, our success as an independent nation relies entirely on the global community’s view of us. Scotland has spent the past five years squandering the opportunity to influence what degree of solidarity European nations will show towards our wee nation once independent by not engaging with migration issues in earnest.

READ MORE: Former SNP MEP Christian Allard calls for indyref2 to take place in June

If your mind automatically jumps to the self-mollifying mantra that “immigration is not a devolved issue!”, let me assure you that there is a great deal more the Scottish Government can do to test and push the boundaries of devolution. We are able to shape equality law through which discrimination based on nationality is forbidden in word, but not enforced in deed.

Outside of the police, Scotland doesn’t even have a discrimination reporting mechanism, whether about gender, age, religious, cultural, or any other form of discrimination. We should create one. Scotland also continues to comply and not interfere with UK immigration enforcement, in essence standing by and lending a helping hand when the UK Home Office decides to deport New Scots from our soil. Frankly, even just as a matter of economics, our elected Scottish representatives already ought to be in a joint effort actively seeking to craft constructive policies regarding New Scots, given Scotland’s population growth relies and hinges on its migrant population. They are not.

READ MORE: EU citizens in Scotland: It’s time for independence before settled status deadline

We know that aside from already failing New Scots, the continued applause for self-congratulatory inaction also does tangible strategic damage to our goal of independence. How many more times will we see SNP members and politicians toe the “nothing to see nor do here” party line while conveniently ignoring that the UK Government will pay more than £2000 for migrants to leave Scotland voluntarily?

At what point will you decide to shape and fight for concrete policies that show Scotland’s determination and commitment to being a sincere neighbour to its allies by protecting and prioritising those among us who are being victimised by the UK Government based on their “foreign” nationality? Now would be a good time.

Ellen Hofer
Creative Director, EU Citizens For An Independent Scotland