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A MESSAGE FROM THE FIRST MINISTER
Welcome to the National Conversation - a unique opportunity for you to consider and debate the most important issues affecting the future of Scotland
Gaelic language version
Over the last ten years the Scottish Parliament has shown how Scotland can successfully govern itself by providing distinctive, innovative solutions to issues that matter to Scotland.
I am proud to serve as Scotland's First Minister, and proud of what we have achieved in that time. I believe that by abolishing tuition fees, providing care for older people, freezing the Council Tax, cutting business rates, delivering record numbers of police officers and addressing health and education, the Scottish Parliament and Government have made a real difference to the lives of the people of Scotland.
But devolution is a process not an event and the time is now right to review and further strengthen the responsibilities of the Scottish Parliament.
The current economic crisis has clearly demonstrated many weaknesses in the existing constitutional settlement. Scotland has very limited scope to lower tax rates to provide a fiscal stimulus. We cannot borrow money to fund public works, or make changes to benefits, pensions or tax credits to meet Scottish needs. Instead, Scotland is dependent on decisions made by the UK Government at Westminster.
Our choices are also limited on issues such as climate change, alcohol misuse and investment in renewable energy.
We believe that Scotland should be like any other independent European country, working in partnership with our neighbours and with our own voice and the full ability to meet the needs of the people of our nation. This is why we plan to hold a referendum at the end of 2010, so you can decide.
But what does an independent Scotland mean to you?
The National Conversation is about giving you the facts, hearing your views and providing opportunities to debate some very serious issues about the future of Scotland. We believe that, only then, can you make informed choices when the referendum comes.
This leaflet is part of that ongoing process of keeping you informed about the opportunities and impact of an independent Scotland.
I look forward to debating these issues with you.
Rt Hon Alex Salmond MSP
Broadcasting
Broadcasting is a reserved matter where all decisions on funding and regulation are taken by the UK Government. However, there is much potential for Scottish broadcasting to grow. The television sector in Scotland was worth approximately £111 million in 2006. Scottish Enterprise estimates that this could double by 2012. In 2006-07, only 5% of programmes on BBC1 and BBC2 were made specifically for Scotland. STV is now obliged to produce only 1.5 hours of non-news programming per week (a reduction from four hours prior to January 2009). The revenue from television licence fees in the UK in 2007-08 was £3.4 billion. Scotland's estimated contribution was just under £300 million of this revenue.
"An independent Scotland would become a full member of the EU and other international organisations, bearing the burdens and fulfilling the responsibilities brought by membership. This would ensure that Scottish Ministers were able to negotiate for the benefit of Scotland."Europe and International
Scotland's current representation in international organisations like the EU and UN is through the United Kingdom's membership. However, when developing a UK position, issues of specific importance to Scotland are often lost and diluted, meaning that our interests are not properly represented internationally.
An independent Scotland would become a full member of the EU and other international organisations, bearing the burdens and fulfilling the responsibilities brought by membership. This would ensure that Scottish Ministers were able to negotiate for the benefit of Scotland.
Defence and Security
" Scottish defence forces would help to prevent and resolve conflicts elsewhere in the world, and further peace with due respect for human rights."In an independent Scotland, the Scottish Parliament would be responsible for our defence policy.
As well as our security needs, Scottish defence forces would help to prevent and resolve conflicts elsewhere in the world, and further peace with due respect for human rights.
We believe that Scotland should not possess or be the base for nuclear weapons. However, under current constitutional arrangements these decisions are taken by the UK Government. An independent Scotland would be able to make decisions on nuclear weapons based on the will of the Scottish people. Independence would allow us to support international disarmament and the furtherance of peace.
Democracy and Government
"Improving Scottish democracy and government are central to the arguments for independence and devolution."Improving Scottish democracy and government are central to the arguments for independence and devolution. Devolution enables elected Scottish MSPs to make decisions on a range of issues, including education, health, criminal justice, housing and social policies.
However, many other matters remain the responsibility of the UK Government and the UK Parliament, including the economy, currency, company and employment law, social security, foreign affairs, defence and security. Scottish interests in these matters are represented by MPs returned for Scottish constituencies (59 out of a total of 650 MPs), elected on the old-fashioned first-past-the-post system.
Independence would allow us to further extend the benefits of responsibility - for Scotland, for communities, for individuals - to the whole range of government activity. It would enable a new type of inclusive and participative democracy where people can see that direct involvement really makes a difference.
It would also redefine the roles and relationship of central and local government, building on the Scottish Government's existing concordat with Scottish local government.
Independence would also allow a re-thinking of the purpose, size and cost of the public sector, moving away from the Whitehall model of large, centralised government departments to smaller, more flexible and responsive units which can adapt to the rapidly changing world of the 21st century.
Devolution has already shown what can be achieved if Scotland has confidence in itself, and when the Scottish people are involved directly in their own government.
Independence would complete our journey to a modern, self-governing Scotland.
Key Questions:
How has devolution provided greater democratic accountability and better government in Scotland?
Why should key issues be decided at Westminster, rather than in Scotland?
How can the people of Scotland become more involved in their own government?
What should Scotland's international role be as an independent country?
Michael russell MSP
Minister for Culture, External Affairs and THE Constitution
There are a wide range of issues, devolved and reserved, which demonstrate the importance of the National Conversation.
Scotland's creative industries contribute over £5 billion in turnover and support 60,000 jobs. However, while the Scottish Government has increased culture spending by £33.6 million (a 14% increase in cash terms), heavy cuts being imposed by the UK Government mean that we may need to revisit our plans. This is one reason why independence is the only context in which Scottish arts and culture can truly flourish.
In other areas, Scotland's position is weakened by our reliance on the UK. In Europe, for example, critically important Scottish issues such as fishing quotas, agricultural subsidies and stewardship of our natural resources, are often damaged by a UK Government position which fails to recognise these unique Scottish elements.
Broadcasting is a reserved matter and there are also key broadcasting questions to be addressed - for example around the future of the BBC.
Independence would mean that the Scottish Government had the power to take decisions on issues of importance to Scottish viewers - such as whether to establish a new digital network for Scotland, or which sporting events to protect for free-to-air television.
Similarly, while the historic Scottish regiments and naval, army and air force bases have made a long and proud contribution to the British armed forces, an independent Scotland would be able to choose whether or not its armed forces took part in military actions such as Iraq. Independence would also allow us to make choices on nuclear weapons.
At the heart of the National Conversation is the constitutional relationship with the UK and how we want Scotland to be governed.
The Scottish Parliament is founded on principles of participatory democracy, and whilst devolution has brought greater accountability and responsibility to those elected to represent Scotland's people, independence would enable the extension of the benefits and strengths of the Scottish Parliament to all aspects of government activity.
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