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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• 221. Mike - Kihaven

  Tuesday, August 14, 2007 18:58

  i may only be 12 but i think that if the scottish parliment can sort out the economics and finances etc then independance should happen within the next 10 years, it'll be hard but worth it.
  people are complaining about what independence will cost but, if Scotland becomes independent then we wont have to pay for the rest of the uk so taxes will go down (i think), the government should pay now so we dont have to pay later>

• 222. John - Glasgow

  Tuesday, August 14, 2007 18:59

  being a scot like many others of this fair country..i would also like to know whether idependence means,the cost of living here will rise,as a nation of 5 million,and half the size of britain,well almost,who will keep the roads repaired,pay for hospitals and schools, national health, public transport, policing, rescue services, if alex salmond wants us to be independent then first put up a solid case for such a big step publish the his ideas..including whether we will pay more taxes or become like switzerland a tax free haven ,the funny thing about elections and voting,you vote in the people to help you, but you cant vote them back out when they dont keep to their promises,one sided or what... the very best of luck to alex salmond for getting this far with independence...so now alex, take it a step further...tell the nation of your plans..expectaions and most of all cost...

• 223. Ruth Allan - West Lothian

  Tuesday, August 14, 2007 19:01

  Thnk you and well done SNP for bringing us this far. Now let's go the rest of the way and remove ourselves from the shackles of Westminster. We have the capacity for great economic wealth and prosperity as an independent Nation. I cannot understand why anyone living and working in our beautiful country would NOT want independence? Let's quit subsidising the "uk" and spend our own wealth on our own issues.

• 224. Michael Lowe - Isle of Mull, Scotland

  Tuesday, August 14, 2007 19:03

  I welcome the idea of Scotland becoming independant and will always stand by that decision, I'm really annoyed that the fact that England takes more advantage over Scotland, it's time this ended and we have our own country rather than depending on England to help us. I want to be proud of my country, I think that this may also lower terrorism as we are not joined to the same decisions as the Prime Minister, so we're not seen as an attacking country unlike Gordon Brown who is with the war on iraq. I would like to thank Alex Salmond for attempting to make our country "Our country". Alex you're my hero.
  
  Many thanks
  Michael Lowe

• 225. Dace Coleter - Edinburgh

  Tuesday, August 14, 2007 19:09

  Please DO give us a vote on independance - that way I can vote and say NO.
  
  Also a loyal Scot - but Scotland cannot economically survive as an independent nation. As all other parties agree.
  Alex, you got the big chair for the first time in an age - stop wasting it putting through your personal agenda "just because you have the chance". You can do better things with your time and our tax money.

• 226. Johnnypict - West Lothian

  Tuesday, August 14, 2007 19:09

  I can think of no time in my 41 years where I thought of myself as British. Ever since I was very young I've considered myself to be a Scottish citizen.
  
  I believe that in my lifetime Scotland will be independent. If I have to wait until I'm 100 to see it, then I welcome and will wait for the next 59 years to celebrate.
  
  However the sooner we start the sooner we work through and iron out any issues, (negativity, reliance on another nation, put downs, initial costs) the quicker we get to the good stuff, (self respect, self direction, our own identity ).
  
  Of course Scotland could be independent. All we need is to get a back bone and to believe in ourselves when no one else does.
  
  Bring it on I'm ready now.
  
  
  
  
  
  

• 227. Jason4queen - Ayrshire

  Tuesday, August 14, 2007 19:10

  Firstly. Readers of the Herald forum will know My "Name" is a reference to "Queen" (Freddie Mercury/Brian May/Roger Taylor/John Deacon). So please dont think it is a reference to the Monarchy.
  On the conversation. Then yes, initial devolution was never going to be the final powers of a new Parliament. We should discuss extending some powers, but Independence is not wanted nor never will be.
  My Point is the SNP do not have the Support of the Scottish People for Independence. Here is why I think so.
  
  The SNP supporters will claim that most people actually only voted for SNP proposals in the Manifesto and not for an independence referendum, which is what this story is about.
  So lets see, what where the biggest pledges that made headlines?.
  Scrap Council Tax..... But that was also Lib Dem, so vote lost there.
  Trident....... But that was Greens/Solidarity etc. So vote lost there.
  Pull out of Iraq..... But that was Lib Dem also. No vote there.
  Environment...... All parties. No vote there either.
  Law/Order........ All parties I Believe. So no vote winner there.
  Business Tax Cuts.......... Tories. Definitely no vote there.
  Ayr/Monkland hospitals. A couple of votes in these areas but no where else.
  Help students...... I think the Lib Dems promised something.
  So what does that leave out of the big headline grabbers?.
  Independence.
  Ask the man in the street what the SNP stands for.......... Independence. Its the one issue that most people associate the SNP with.
  So you might try and claim that just because only 1 3rd of the electorate voted for SNP. They where voting for everyone else and waiting on the independence vote to change their mind and vote differently.
  
  

• 228. Bob - Dundee

  Tuesday, August 14, 2007 19:11

  Ref: Blog 177 from Martin Francis in London.
  
  Martin, I think you have managed to encapsulate exactly why so many Scots look to further devolution or complete independence. These are your words not mine....
  
  quote "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" enquote
  
  Can anyone be surprised that feelings run high north of the border when a supposed neighbour, that we are told we should remain affiliated to, expresses opinions like that.
  

• 229. Colin John Macrae - Blackburn West Lothian

  Tuesday, August 14, 2007 19:14

  Independence ??? yes yes yes yes yes !!!!!!!!! a million times YES

• 230. Brian Curry - Livingston

  Tuesday, August 14, 2007 19:16

  For the last thirty years I and many of my work colleagues working hard in Scotland have been paying tax to an office in Manchester. Is this included in the overall Scottish figures or the English figures? How Would an Independent Scotland shift my taxes to Scotland? I have browsed through the paper and I am amazed at the amount of depth of debate this will create. I will rejoin this debate once I have digested it more fully. I also suggest the scare mongers do the same before spouting their empty sound bites and blind negativity. Welcome to open democracy.

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