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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• 241. Bob Blair - Stirling

  Tuesday, August 14, 2007 19:45

  Today is a historic day for Scotland, the publication of a White Paper outlining a real choice for the Scottish people. The point is continually being made about how the people have already voted and chose not to vote for Independence, the recent elections were not a referendum they were to allow the people to vote for political representation. I think that it is wrong for the other main parties to block this proposal, I believe that this will hurt them in the long term. I am keen to hear a National discussion on the matter with all the facts being laid bare and all the lies being exposed.
  
  I believe that we the people of Scotland should have control of our own affairs, an independent Scotland is the only option.
  
  We can decide our own foreign policy, we will not be involved in any more illegal wars fought under the guise of liberating the people or finding WMD's, we will have control over our oil and gas revenues and we can decide how best to benefit from the wealth still to be had, we will negotiate our own terms in Europe relating everything from exports to fishing rights, we will be able to vary Business tax not only to try and keep investment in Scotland but to attract new investment.
  
  In their first 100 days in power the SNP have demonstrated what they are capable of in a Minority Government, I am full of confidence for what they and the people of Scotland can achieve in an Indepentent Scotland.
  

• 242. Colin - Angus - Scotland's Birthplace

  Tuesday, August 14, 2007 19:51

  Its time - to get off our knees.
  
  Independence is not just about finances - it is about economics, culture, our place in the family of nations and being able to choose our friends amongst the international community.
  
  We need to define ourselves for ourselves, and not be seen by the rest of the world through the prism of being a backwater of the UK.

• 243. Kevin Williamson - Edinburgh

  Tuesday, August 14, 2007 19:52

  As someone who has already been convinced of the many benefits that full independence will bring to Scotland - democratically, socially, economically and culturally - I'd like to thank the SNP-led Scottish government for doing what they said they would so, by publishing this White Paper and beginning a dialogue with the Scottish people on the nature of the democracy we should live in.
  
  It's taken 300 years for ANY government to have the common decency to ask the Scottish people whether we want to be part of Great Britain or not. This in itself is a great leap forward.
  
  Its not often that any government decides to open up a dialogue with the people, committed to listening to the people, on the nature of democracy, which is why we've all got a civic duty to respond as best we can.
  
  To the political parties and MSPs who intend to try and block democracy, and block Scots from deciding for ourselves, directly and democratically, I'd like to ask this: "Why are you so afraid of democracy? Why are you so afraid of the Scottish people deciding for themselves?"
  
  

• 244. David Robertson - Inverness

  Tuesday, August 14, 2007 19:56

  I think it is going to be difficult to involve everyone from every segment of our society. However I also believe we have to try. There is so little meaningful dialogue in the UK about politics and government and this effort by the SNP to bring the issues out into the open for discussion is a good beginning. I found the white paper very informative and was especially pleased to note that our involvement in the EU has been spelled out. We need to determine what this means for an "independent" Scotland and how our obligations to the various EU treaties would affect life in this country. e.g. The European Convention on Human Rights has tended to empower and enrich the legal profession and the criminal fraternity at the expense of the citizenry, as demonstrated in the "slopping out" controversy. There is nothing the elected MSP's can do about these legal niceties under the current regime. I would like to see Scotland develop her own Bill of Rights that will empower law abiding citizens rather than criminals. This may mean opting out of the ECHR right at the beginning. The latest EU treaty transfers a significant number of powers to Brussels, over time, so I would like to see a full discussion of what that implies. I believe that a disentanglement from the UK would remove an unnecessary layer of government and bureaucracy and, as it says in the white paper, it simplifies the question of whose interests are best served in negotiations with other countries. UK Ministers are so far removed from the concerns of many of the regions of the UK it is impossible for them to negotiate meaningfully. Scottish independence would remove this anomaly. One possible sticking point I can envisage is the number of government employees in Scotland, including NHS and teachers. I do not know how many there are but I imagine they will be nervous about disengaging from their ultimate source of income. I am sure this will be stressed by the opposition parties, perhaps obliquely, so it should be addressed openly and specifically. The same goes for any segment of the population that depnds upon the UK Treasury for their income and livelihood. That's my tuppence worth for the moment.

• 245. Marion - Scotland

  Tuesday, August 14, 2007 19:59

   

• 246. Pat Rickard - Paisley, Scotland

  Tuesday, August 14, 2007 20:04

  The British Government has made many mistakes over 100's of years and its no different today, not just the costly war in Iraq but also the decision not to join the €Euro€. Would it not be so much better if the Scottish people were in charge of their own fate. Tell me what you could had done to stop the Scottish deaths in Iraq. You had no control over it at the polling station. You voted for a voice, not a say. The fate of Scottish soldiers was sealed in a small constituency in Durham.
  
  Also what is the truth behind the £Pound-Sterling£? How much tax revenue actually goes back and forth across border. You can tell me that every penny in your tax is utilised in Scottish interests. If the Vote on Independence fails maybe the step forward is to regionalise the Revenue System. That way it may be possible for the real truth to come out about the Economy.
  
  Its not just money too, look at the amount of resources in Scotland. For example, go down to Carstairs and compare the amount of empty cargo trains to full loads that goes across the border. I think you'll find that the English are profiting off the vast amount of Scottish Resources. Oh yeah, and then there's the oil! You know what I mean!!!
  
  Scottish people have their own unique ideas and personalities. National identity already exists in examples such as in sport, film, and music. And we all know where the best talent is!!!!. Scotland has enough knowledge to be in par with Ireland, Italy, Spain and France. Who knows, it maybe even better than most EU countries. Just give Independence a chance and you'll see. Also ask yourself, why was Scotland invaded in the first place????

• 247. Katie MacDonald - Dunfermline

  Tuesday, August 14, 2007 20:05

  It's only right that we, the Scottish people, have the right to choose how our own country operates. Surely that is what a democracy is all about, isn't it?
  Personally I think we should be independant and in the current climate I believe it to be the only way forward.
  By the way, has anyone noticed that all of a sudden in the last 100 days, it's very difficult to find out what going on in our own country (especially politically) from our British TV stations - are our counterparts trying to tell us something?
  OK, some people are scared that it might cost a bit more money but there are also somethings that money can't buy- for example our freedom and our national wellbeing.
  I think we all need to be brave and go for it, we might never get another chance for such a fantastic opportunity!
  

• 248. Alanna - Kilmarnock, Ayrshire

  Tuesday, August 14, 2007 20:07

  As an SNP supporter and avid fan of an independent Scotland I was over the moon when the SNP came to power and finally had a chance to show what they could do to make this country stronger and better than it has ever been. As a full time mature student of 28 I was also intrigued by the SNP promise of the re-introduction of grants and abolition of student loans.
  
  Unfortunately despite contacting my local MSP by email I have yet to have any acknowledgement from him at all! Whilst I think independence is the way to go I'd like to see the SNP fulfil more of their election promises before asking the Scottish people to trust them with every single aspect of running a country.
  
  Another issue I'd be questionning is the fact that of every pound paid by taxpayers in the United Kingdom 80p goes to England while 10p comes to Scotland. That means that for every pound paid out by Scottish taxpayers they only see 10p coming back to help them. While independence would (hopefully) benefit us in this respect with the full pound staying where it came from I think England and Westminster may have something to say about losing 80p from every pound of Scottish taxpayers money! Oh, and the argument that England has more people doesn't really fly with me! If a Scottish taxpayer pays £1 into the economy the country it came from should get to keep that full pound!
  
  I'm all for independence Mr Salmond but could you help us poor wee students first and prove to the Scottish public that you can actually carry out what you say you'll do - maybe then more people will have the faith to vote YES for independence as they can see that the SNP can handle it!
  

• 249. jock gibson - Applegarth Lockerbie D&G

  Tuesday, August 14, 2007 20:09

  lets GO. ! Get it on and get ut out there, maybe as areal issue more people will take notice and actually vote for things in a country of their own. fullfill the anthem "and be a nation again", dont just keep that for a drunken outing at a sporting event. As for the politics, men sort and suit politics to their own design, history shows this, therfore get the girls on board. scotland can succed it has in the past and could by its self do the same in the future, its a great brand name is it not.. lets have it give us the ball and watch us run with it. all detractors leave the country, we only want workers and possitive folks ty.. viva. alba.

• 250. Dave - Kent

  Tuesday, August 14, 2007 20:10

  I'm English and I have a great deal of respect for Scotland. That's why I would advise every Scot to seize this opportunity for independence.
  
  On the whole the English like you, but we don't respect you. We will never see you as equal partners in a union of nations. We will never treat your Scots and Gaelic languages seriously. We will never be able to understand what you are saying. We will never stop going on about 1966.
  
  Your First Minister has it right; let's try and be good neighbours and not grumpy lodgers.

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