The Scottish Government

First Minister Alex Salmond

Friday, November 30, 2007

We in the Scottish Government believe that sovereignty in Scotland lies with its people.

That is why our manifesto for the Scottish Parliamentary elections this year promised to provide an opportunity for the people to consider the concept of Scottish independence in a referendum during this Parliament.

As First Minister, it is my responsibility to explore and lead discussion on the options for constitutional change. I lead the first Scottish National Party Government to be elected in a devolved Scotland, so I will put the case for independence, its benefits and opportunities.

However, I also recognise there is a range of other views in our country and represented in the Parliament. The national conversation on our future is to allow the people of Scotland to debate, reflect and then decide on the type of Government which best equips Scotland for the future.

It is 10 years since the referendum to establish the Scottish Parliament. We have seen the potential of a Scottish Parliament to respond to the wishes and needs of the people of this country. But we have also seen the limitations of its current responsibilities.

I believe it is now time for us, the people of Scotland, to consider and choose our own future in the modern world.

Alex Salmond, First Minister

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Comments

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• 1. Johnny Bravo - Edinburgh

  Tuesday, August 14, 2007 10:52

  And the first question from the media after the FM had spoken: how much will this cost!!!
  
  Some people in Scotland are unable to lift their heads and view the horizon; they know the price or everything and the value of nothing.

• 2. Andy Hay - Perth

  Tuesday, August 14, 2007 11:02

  Young man of 27, one of the few who can be bothered to vote, bring Independance on, it will be tough and a struggle but we can have a free democratic nation who does not put their nose into the affairs of the Middle East, better to spend the money on our Granny's hip operations. Let's be free

• 3. John Lind - Aberdeenshire

  Tuesday, August 14, 2007 11:02

  I think in order for Scotland to progress as a nation we need independence, nothing less. Labour have got to realise that the people voted in a nationalist party!

• 4. Ken O'Neill - Edinburgh

  Tuesday, August 14, 2007 11:06

  Why are the opposition parties so opposed to letting the Scottish people give their views on independence? If they are so secure in the worth of the union, why are they scared of the public saying what they think?

• 5. Dougal Eye - Dundee

  Tuesday, August 14, 2007 11:10

  A very necessary debate. It is ten years since devolution was introduced and the country deserves the chance to review its position. We are a more confident, self-aware nation than we were a decade ago and it is great that everyone is being given the opportunity to engage in the debate.

• 6. Ross McLean - Edinburgh

  Tuesday, August 14, 2007 11:10

  Look. There is no demand for this. We vote every couple of years now and any one of those elections is an opportunity for a majority to express its view on Independence. The vote in May was very clear. There is no majority for it. You have not persuaded us.
  
  Get me a home I can afford. Improve my salary. Get me faster hospital appointments. Make it easier for me to travel about on public transport. Improve the environment. These are my priorities. None of them depend on independence. Please get on with governing on these issues.
  
  Incidentally, I am not committed to any political party, and I personally have an open mind on independence (I actually voted SNP with my list vote this year). But I am not yet persuaded on it.
  
  What might persuade me is you making a success of the devolution settlement now you are in government. What will turn me against independence is this unnecessary 'conversation' (which no-one except your party has called for).
  
  The other thing that will turn me against it is the tone and comments of your supporters on blogs like this one and the ones on the Herald and Scotsman websites. Bile and nasty aggressive attacks do your cause huge damage with the neutrals like me.
  
  You want a conversation? Well there's my contribution. Stop spending taxpayers money advancing a political agenda which doesn't really interest anyone except you, and start governing. Otherwise people like me will decide we made a mistake in allowing you the privelige of doing so.
  
  Ross McLean
  Murrayfield, Edinburgh

• 7. Brian - London

  Tuesday, August 14, 2007 11:12

  Would independence mean that Scots living in England are actually resident aliens?

• 8. John Cunningham - North Ayrshire

  Tuesday, August 14, 2007 11:15

  I have always considered myself Scottish first, then British and never European. I'm not particularly fond of English people and organisations who say British when things are good in Scotland, but say Scottish for the bad things. The English BBC are good at this. Surely the whole point of the SNP is to get complete independence and if/when that happens we will revert to the old political parties. I am a nationalist with a small n.

• 9. Christopher Gray - Easter Ross

  Tuesday, August 14, 2007 11:16

  A referendum is vital. Only the people of Scotland can make the decision about independence, not members of political parties. As someone from England now living in Scotland, I'm in favour of anything that distances Scotland from the illegal wars of the UK, and puts the needs of Scotland first.

• 10. paddy mac - Inverclyde

  Tuesday, August 14, 2007 11:16

  The majority of people in Scotland are proud to call themselves Scots in a UK sense but are apprehensive when it comes to Independence. People still need convincing that an Independent Scotland wont mean the dole qeue or worse. I dont need convincing that Scotland is strong enough to stand on its own two feet. We have been getting carried for too long. Let us try to convince our mums and dads first then concentrate on the youth. Lead a conversation that provides the answers to thier questions. Then we might just have a chance

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