Tavish Scott: SNP needs to send positive message

But the over-riding theme once again was a mismatch in weight of argument and analysis. On Monday, the Treasury issued a weighty tome on banks and financial services. Amid a number of legitimate questions that Scots want to be answered about independence was one on the size of our banks.

How would an independent Scotland cope with a banking crisis of 2009 proportions? Scotland might decide that having banks too big to fail is inherently bad, although Alex Salmond backed Royal Bank of Scotland’s disastrous takeover of ABN Amro. What would be the banking policy of a nationalist Scotland? On Tuesday, we might have expected answers. Sadly, there were none.

The SNP launched a paper on the economics of independence. There was nothing new. Facts were in short supply. But people do yearn for answers. An apprentice interviewed after the Great Leader’s speech at the Falkirk bus manufacturer said he wanted to know what an independent Scotland would actually mean.

The SNP’s independence strategy is not clear. What is the drawback to saying what independence means? It is being hammered in the polls. Alistair Darling looks authoritative and purposeful. The former chancellor has found his political niche. The Yes campaign looks dull and unimaginative.

Yet the Nationalists’ strongest card is hope. Why not set out what an independent Scotland would be in detail? Give Scots less than enamoured with the UK coalition an alternative vision. What is the possible downside? But using the Salmond argument that we, Scotland, could have a government of our own rather than one we have never voted for is just plain silly. Scotland did vote for Tony Blair’s Labour government – and not just once.

The bigger dilemma for Nationalists is whether they are to the left of Scotland’s political centre or right. Do they want to cut or raise taxes? SNP ministers have been flogging UK welfare reform. The message is “vote for independence and we will restore welfare”. That will cost £2.5 billion a year and means putting up tax rates. But with politics more important than finance, this is a naked pitch for the left of centre Labour vote – but Labour voters agree with some welfare changes.

To a business audience, the nationalist message is an independent Scotland would have lower corporation tax than England. Mr Salmond expressly championed this approach this week. But the SNP record in office is to create new charges and costs on Scottish companies. A supermarket levy, an empty property tax, minimum pricing on alcohol and charges imposed on the salmon farming industry mean higher business costs in Scotland.

The biggest challenge facing the Nationalists is to decide what kind of Scotland they actually want? Without a reason for independence, the glossy launches will convince no-one.

• Tavish Scott is Liberal Democrat MSP for Shetland