Its often said that Scotland doesn't need independence, that there is space to grow and to prosper within the United Kingdom. This may be true, to a degree, but it is clear that Scotland cannot control its own destiny within the UK.

Scotland cannot leave the UK whenever it wants, without interference. Labour ensured that.

Scotland cannot conduct its own relationship with the rest of the world while part of the UK.

Scotland cannot protect vulnerable people and codify human rights while part of a UK steadfastly opposed to be codified constitution.

The same lack of a codified constitution means that the UK can never be a federal state, the principle of English parliamentary sovereignty must rule. Westminster can disregard Holyrood whenever it wants.

And that Westminster includes the unelected House of Lords, a stain on any modern democracy.

This election won't change any of that, the system is set up so that it, and the Scottish electorate, cannot threaten these special interests and ancestral powers. Only be breaking out of this corrupt union can be take our democracy into our own hands, build a brighter future and drag this country into modernity.

That's why independence is essential, and why i'll be voting for it this election. Join me. Vote SNP.