Gordon Murray gave this address to the CFI AGM on 18th June 2025. Gordon is an SNP Councillor on Comhairle nan Eilean Siar and a Deacon in Stornoway Free Church of Scotland, and is a longstanding member of CFI.

A Christian Vision for an Independent Scotland: Tackling Poverty and Building Community

Good evening, brothers and sisters in Christ. I’m deeply honoured to stand before you tonight at this Annual General Meeting. As a councillor in the Western Isles, I’ve seen the strength of communities bound by faith and purpose. I thank CFI for inviting me to share a vision that unites our Christian values with our hope for a free Scotland. Tonight, I want to talk about how independence can help us live out Christ’s call to care for the least of these, by tackling poverty and building stronger communities.

As Christians, our faith compels us to act with compassion and justice. In Matthew 25, Jesus tells us, “Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” These words aren’t just a suggestion—they’re a command to love our neighbours, to lift up the poor, and to challenge systems that keep them down. In Scotland, we see the weight of poverty every day. In the Western Isles, families struggle to heat their homes. Children go to school hungry because of policies like the two-child benefit cap, which punishes the most vulnerable. These aren’t just numbers—they’re people, made in God’s image, deserving of dignity.

But too often, the policies that trap people in poverty come from a Westminster government that doesn’t understand Scotland’s needs or share our values. I believe independence is a moral imperative—a chance to build a nation rooted in Christian principles of fairness and care. It’s not about politics alone; it’s about living out our faith in a way that transforms lives.

 Let me bring this home to the Western Isles, where I serve as a councillor. Our communities are tight-knit, but they face real challenges. Poverty isn’t just about money—it’s about isolation, lack of opportunity, and struggling to access services. For example, mental health is a growing crisis. That’s why I’ve supported projects like Catch 23, a drop-in centre in Stornoway that offers a safe space for young people to talk and find support. It’s a small step, but it shows what local communities can do when we prioritise people over profit.

Yet, our ability to fund these services is limited by a system where key decisions are made hundreds of miles away.

The UK’s austerity policies have cut local budgets, forcing councils to do more with less. In 2023, child poverty in Scotland was 24%, with over 250,000 children affected. In the Western Isles, we feel this acutely, with families relying on food banks to get by. Independence would give us the tools—control over our economy, welfare, and resources—to tackle these issues head-on, in a way that reflects our Christian commitment to justice.

So, what would an independent Scotland look like through a Christian lens?

First, it would be a nation that prioritises the poor. With independence, we could scrap harmful policies like the two-child benefit cap, which the Child Poverty Action Group says pushes 10,000 Scottish children into poverty each year. We could invest in universal services—like healthcare, education, and mental health—ensuring no one is left behind. Imagine a Scotland where every child has enough to eat, where every family can afford to live, and where communities like ours in the Western Isles have the resources to thrive.

Second, independence would let us build communities rooted in solidarity. In the Western Isles, our churches are often the heart of community life—organising food drives, visiting the sick, and supporting those in need. An independent Scotland could empower local communities to do even more, by devolving power and funding to where it’s needed most. We could create jobs in renewable energy, revitalise rural areas, and ensure young people don’t have to leave home to find opportunity.

Finally, independence is about hope—a hope grounded in our faith. As Christians, we believe in redemption, in the possibility of a better world. Independence isn’t a leap into the unknown; it’s a step toward a Scotland that reflects God’s kingdom, where justice rolls down like waters, as Amos 5:24 says. It’s a chance to show the world what a nation built on compassion can achieve.

Friends, Christians for Independence is a powerful witness to this vision. Your cross-party, cross-denominational work shows that faith can unite us beyond politics. But we have work to do. I urge you to keep building bridges— talk to your neighbours, your churches, your communities about why independence matters. Share stories like those from the Western Isles, where poverty is real but so is our resolve to fight it. To shape a campaign that speaks to Scotland’s heart and soul.

As we leave this AGM, carry this, our challenge:

How can I, as a Christian, help build a Scotland that reflects Christ’s love?

Maybe it’s volunteering, advocating, or simply listening to those who feel unheard. Together, we can make independence not just a dream, but a reality that lifts up every person in this land.

Let me close with a verse from Isaiah 58:10: “If you spend yourselves on behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness.” An independent Scotland can be that light—a nation where no one is hungry, no one is oppressed, and all are valued. Let’s pray for the courage to make it so, and let’s work together, as Christians, to build a Scotland worthy of our faith. Thank you, and God bless.