“Too wee, too poor, too stupid” isn’t a direct quote from any specific unionist. (I don’t think the SNP has ever claimed it is, but I’m prepared to be corrected if anyone has a source.)
It was used to describe SOME arguments which were used prominently in the anti-independence/No campaign in the run-up to September 2014, specifically to deny that an independent Scotland using all its resources (not just the resources of the SNP) could not be successful, and citing false/disputed/misleading/irrelevant claims to do so, e.g.:
- GERS proves that independent Scotland would have a serious deficit which it wouldn’t be able to overcome.
- Scotland depends on freeloading via the Barnett Formula, which somehow doesn’t simply redistribute taxes raised in Scotland but mysteriously acquires funds from somewhere else that would be inaccessible in the event of independence.
- Scotland will not be allowed to join the EU because it is somehow worse off than, say, Bulgaria (and can’t improve).
- Scotland will join the EU, and that’s not really independence.
- Scotland alone cannot defend itself/offend everyone else militarily in the manner to which the UK has been accustomed.
- Scotland’s economy is not diverse and cannot be diversified; it is dependent on oil and little/nothing else.
- N0bOdY kNoWs wHaT cUrR€nC¥ sCoT£aNd WoUlD u$e.
The narrative has been kept up since the Refernedum as well. Here’s a perfect example from the Scotland in Union blog via Andrew Skinner, which unironically sums up most of the above points and yes, does make it quite clear that pro-independence Scots must be, well, stupid: www.scotlandinunion.co.uk/fiona_annelsey
You may agree with that, and if so, fine. But it’s not in bad faith for people who defend independence to disagree and counter the arguments, which they have and do. Every claim and counterclaim is going to be scrutinised; that’s how debate works.