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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• 171. dave parke - grangemouth

  Tuesday, August 14, 2007 17:03

  i think the elderly voters of this country are holding us back because it is to much change for them, bring on independence!!!!

• 172. David Keenan - Falkirk

  Tuesday, August 14, 2007 17:04

  I think that Mr Salmond and the government should concentrate on showing what they can do in Holyrood for a couple of years beforeputting this to the people for real, but I like the way they have opened up the debate. Having said that, Goldie, Stephen and Mcconnell are acting like little school children rather than being responsible elected politicians. I and every other Scot should have a say on this matter and it is not up to you to hold a press conference to deny us of that. A decision of this importance is ours not yours!!!. Nationalists and unionists put you cases forward in a constructive manner and let us decide!

• 173. Sandy McKay - Eastriggs D&G (15m North of Carlisle)

  Tuesday, August 14, 2007 17:06

  As a Scot who has travelled the world in the Merchant Navy, I have worked with many nationalities, races, and religons. Now that I am back in the UK, with a home in Scotland, working in England, I would NOT support a move for the break-up of the UK. I welcome a referendum on the issue, and as a previous blogger said - "Why is there NO option to dismiss Devolution, and return to UK politics?".
  
  For Mr Salmond -if there was independence what do we do with the 6 battalions of the Royal Regiment of Scotland, if we do not do overseas war-work, why would we need them?, What size of Navy would we have?, or Airforce. What shipbuilding would we do on the Clyde?
  You have wrongly stated that Nuclear power is 'only' 23% of our generation capacity when it is nearer 40% - why should I trust you when you tell blatent porkies!

• 174. David - Muthill, Perthshire

  Tuesday, August 14, 2007 17:07

   

• 175. malco - Suffolk

  Tuesday, August 14, 2007 17:08

  If the Scots want to be independant let them have their referendum provided all UK residents can have a vote. I personally would be glad to see the back of them and the never ending subsidies they receive.

• 176. ross patton - watford

  Tuesday, August 14, 2007 17:10

  im half scottish,born in england and i beleive the union is dead.its time for independence for all constituent nations of the uk.its better for us all that way
  saor alba!!!

• 177. Martin Francis - London

  Tuesday, August 14, 2007 17:15

  
  A conversation with Ales Salmond would, I suspect, be a little one sided.
  He'll just keep talking until everyone agrees with his position or contracts tinnitus.
  
  I would welcome a conversation regarding the over representation of Scots in English affairs.
  After the 1997 election 75% of the cabinet were Scots.
  That's not an anti-Scots comment, I would be concerned if 75% of the cabinet were Carmelite nuns, rabies or Canadians.
  The BBC is experiencing a 'Kirsty" overload at present. I expect to hear accents, on the BBC, that are more in keeping with my local culture, the accents I hear on a day-to-day basis: Polish !
  The young Polish women I have meet in London have been a revelation. They have had a history much darker than Scotland's yet rarely drag it into conversations they don't blame others and energetically get on with their new lives in London, examples to us all.
  
  I think it is worth pointing out that few of us south of Hadrian's Wall are concerned about Scottish independence but we will be hearing all about it on the news tonight, hosted by Eddie Mair, a fine Scot - I am a big fan.
  I think it unfair that Scottish issues are yet again given prominence on our local English media but are of no interest to us.
  It is an issue for you - not us, one that should be debated on Scottish media not ours.
  
  
  Martin Francis
  Tufnell Park
  London

• 178. Martin - Cardiff

  Tuesday, August 14, 2007 17:16

  Democracy is all about engaging with the pubic and finding out exactly what they want. What better way than a 'national conversation'. We in Wales are eight years behind you! We are only just discussing obtaining powers similar to what Scotland currently has! So we can warmly weclome a debate on independence in Wales by 2015! Hopefully, Scotland will be a fully independent, sovereign nation by then and pull us in Wales along with you. Good Luck!!

• 179. Paul Campbell - Edinburgh

  Tuesday, August 14, 2007 17:21

  I voted SNP to get rid of Labour, NOT for independence. Show us what you can do on the real issues and stop grandstanding, or I'll vote to get rid of you as well.

• 180. Paul Stewart - Hanoveria

  Tuesday, August 14, 2007 17:21

  I am ashamed to be called British, i was born in England, educated in Scotland and was looking forward to learning about my new adopted country, unfortunately i was taught virtually nothing at school, strange i thought, however upon researching a little i discovered why we where taught not much, the English committed genocide upon the Highlanders only a few generations ago, not only that, Edinburgh has a street named after one of the main men, The Butcher of Cumberland, it is bit like having a street in a Kurd area of Iraq named Saddam Hussein St. I quickly learned more & more (oil theft, Maggie Thatcher, poll tax, etc), I am now a member of the SNP.

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