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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• 231. Louise Drummond - Dunoon

  Tuesday, August 14, 2007 19:26

  I look forward to the conversation. I doubt labour or tory will listen but if cost is the most important obstacle I for one would be willing to donate to a referendum fund. BRING IT ON!!!!!!

• 232. George - Falkirk

  Tuesday, August 14, 2007 19:26

  for scotland to be a nation, we need independence, and im not anti-american either, but as soon as american goes to war we get dragged into it, and i for one do not like the fact that england just say lets go, its time to put a stop to our soliders getting hurt for another country's choice

• 233. colin ray - Fife.

  Tuesday, August 14, 2007 19:28

  If the other parties are so convinced that we Scots would be against Independence, why are they so scared of holding a referendum?
  Surely a Referendum would settle the argument for once and for all.
  Or are the other parties more than just a little concerned that Scots people could actually govern themselves.
  We don't need the baggage of Westminster to hinder us from running a perfectly economically sound country.
  Scotland has world renowned talent in many fields, such as science and Finance.
  Obviously we need to be given greater understanding as to the full benefits which Independence would bring us.
  So let us have a proper debate and let all of the people of Scotland have their say.

• 234. Nick - NE Scotland

  Tuesday, August 14, 2007 19:28

  Scotland has subsidised the south east of England for too long. I noticed a poster above talking about the cost of our Parliament building. 400million is a drop in the ocean compared to The London Dome, The new wembley, The 2012 olympics and all the rail and road money that is spent in the South East.
  
  For example the 3.5 billion pound expansion to the Jubilee line or the fact that the entire transport budget for Scotland, which covers a third of the UK’s land mass, is a billion pounds less than it cost to build a Tube extension from Central London to Stratford.

• 235. Gordon - Fife

  Tuesday, August 14, 2007 19:33

  I thoroughly applaud the SNPs first 3 months in government. The new positive ‘Scottish’ government has brought a smile to the face of Scotland (irrespective of the weather) and an increasing degree of confidence and self-belief. If this is what a Scottish government can achieve in such a short time under devolution, just imagine what we can achieve as an independent nation able to take its rightful place and position in the world.
  
  I’m fed up of Scotland being referred to as ‘a region’ or being likened to the North East of England when people talk about independence or listening to others (including radio and television broadcasters) saying England or English when they clearly mean the United Kingdom, Great Britain, British or even Scottish! I'm fed up with the so called British (English) Broadcasting Service or Radio 5 who portray themselves as national broadcasters but only pay lip service to anything other than England - shame on them when they don’t seem to understand how demeaning this makes us all feel.
  
  A National Conversation is simply a step towards what the party’s manifesto promised - to hold a referendum on Independence (I prefer the term Separation). Maybe some of the other parties could learn by delivering their manifesto promises. In truth, I really don’t care what it costs – we must stand on our own two feet, be proud of our history and who we are. Don’t listen to the negativity of the so called ‘opposition parties’ – they’re only in it for their own selfish reasons – the Labour party in England might even find itself out of power without their Scottish based MPs. Lets work together with our friends and neighbours in Wales, Ireland and England on an even footing and not one of subservience to England and the English media.
  
  We were sold out once before, it’s time to put it right, bring it on!

• 236. Martin Purchase - Carluke

  Tuesday, August 14, 2007 19:38

  Let's suppose that Scotland gains independence. What will happen to the opposition parties? The conservatives would have no further purpose as they could not campaign for the union. Labour and LibDem would need to change drastically.

• 237. Stuart - Glasgow

  Tuesday, August 14, 2007 19:39

  What surprises me is the amount of people who seem to think that General Elections are one-issue events. A General Election is about deciding the government, based on the shape of their policies (note the plural). Referendums, on the other hand, are a more direct form of democracy, designed to guage the considered opinion of the nation on ONE issue only.
  
  For my tuppence worth, I'm broadly in favour of independence. I increasingly feel an English resentment against Scotland, and I don't think that's a particularly healthy way to build a nation. Separation would suit both parties better.

• 238. Joe Mellon - Lodève, France

  Tuesday, August 14, 2007 19:41

  > whether Scotland would be economically viable as an independent nation/state
  
  well... Ireland is, Norway is, Iceland is, Denmark is, Portugal is, Finnland is, Austria is, Latvia is, Luxembourg is.... and so on.
  
  Why on earth would Scotland not be?
  
  What has Scotland got going for it?
  - a very successful financial sector
  - high tech industries
  - developed agriculture and fisheries
  - excellent universities and research
  - an excellent administration system
  - a very stable ancient legal system
  ... and so on
  
  Does that answer your question Mr. Noble-Hendry?

• 239. Dave McG - Aberdeen

  Tuesday, August 14, 2007 19:43

  As a nation we must now give very serious consideration to our future. 3 things we face yet we fail to fully appreciate the potential impact and consequences. These are
  Energy supply, the world approaches peak oil, just when who knows but most believe very soon if not this year. World demand rises and the worlds supplies just will not be able to keep up.
  Environment, enough said we consume too much, we waste too much and we discharge too much CO2 to air, vast volumes of waste to the land and sea. Catch up it must and will.
  Economy, energy shortages will drive energy prices very high add to this the costs of repairing damage from environmental effects.
  
  We all consider the immediate this year next. My children could live to 2100. What infrastructure are we investing in today to protect their futures. Our parents generation invested in the UK and Scottosh infrasyructure, we are not investing in the same way for our youngsters whom we will depend in our retirement, pay for the new infrastructure, clean up our mess and pay our pensions, bum deal or what. And remember it was only 106 years since the end of the Victorian era.
  
  Westminster is not addressing these issues with any seriousness. They criticise USA who are investing billions in R&D and deployment of new clean energy technologies to distract attention from their shocking complacency and perhaps ignorance.
  
  We cannot solve the world problems and we cannot solve the UK. We can solve our own if we are allowed to and free of the strictures of the westeminster, Dti and especially Europe. We can only do this if we are free to do what we know needs to be down without interferance from Westminster and EC. Norway, Finland and Sweden have embarked on this path already.
  
  Scotland gets more form UK than it puts in?. Firstly I do not believe it to be so, Secondly we were raised to be independent of thought and action, to be self reliant, resiliant, hardwroking, honest, charitable, generous of spirit and of aid to others. So if we are getting more than our share why do we think we should get any handouts form our English masters, if we are we must stop it, stand on our own 2 feet and get on with it.
  
  I also predict we will begin to see a rising rejection of the pusuit of mammon aided by globalisation which is driven by greed and pursuit of international trade power and fuelled by cheap energy. As we globalise we denude regions, countries and whole economies of the ability to fend for themselves should the need arise, and arise it might as cheap energy suppies dwindle.
  
  Yes it is time a new Scottish Renaissance rekindling our literature and arts but also a technological renaissance where we are totally energy independent on 100% renewables ans exporting across the world. Westminster just does not have this depth of vision.
  
  We can and yes IT IS TIME.
  
  

• 240. Lesley J - Glasgow

  Tuesday, August 14, 2007 19:44

  I welcome this conversation and really hope that the intellectual level of the argument on the unionist side will be raised. Those who object to the idea of independence always seem to have to resort to what are fairly personal attacks on the SNP and their members. I have always supported the idea of independence and see it as taking control of and responsibility for decisions made affecting our own country. I also firmly believe that it would encourage a national self confidence which would, in turn, promote our economic, social and cultural development.
  I am not an economist, but I cannot and never have seen anything peculiar about our country which makes us uniquely unable to manage our own affairs and organise a taxation system to pay for services.
  What I do see is a political alliance of increasingly nervous unionists who are clearly afraid even to have this conversation, preferring instead to hurl insults. I am not "narrow" (why do nationists always have to be narrow!) and I am not anti English. I have the democratic right to hold the opinions that I do and I have never supported any type of campaign which sought to harm another in any way. So why are unionists so vitriolic in their condemnation of my opinions? What do you fear?
  The silly assertions made by Mr McConnell during the last election suggesting that people with relatives in England would somehow be cut off from them post independence were desperate to the point of being downright embarassing, but unfortunately typical of the unionist argument. And are labour politicians REALLY proud of their achievments over the last 50 years given the atrocious housing conditions and poverty of ambition that is still the life experience of many of our people? As far as I see it, we can't afford NOT to be independent.
  
  

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