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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• 251. David - Edinburgh

  Tuesday, August 14, 2007 20:16

  There is not much said about nationality after the proposed independence.
  Will I, born in England and living in Scotland for many years, be considered Scottish and be able to vote? And if I return to any part of the remaining United Kingdom will I be allowed to vote there. That is just for me, and there are many others who move around these islands who will also have these questions.
  If Scotland is to become independent will it have any meaning if the right to vote is not restricted to its own nationals?

• 252. David Robertson - Inverness

  Tuesday, August 14, 2007 20:17

  I have always loved this song, A Nation Once Again. It was written by an Irish nationalist, in the 19th. century, Thomas Osborne Davis. Since the Scots came from Ireland originally I think it would make a great national anthem. I have no idea why the Republic of Ireland didn't adopt it as theirs. I have changed Ireland to Scotland for the sake of clarity.
  
  A NATION ONCE AGAIN
  
  When boyhoods fire was in my blood
  I read of ancient freemen
  For Greece and Rome who bravely stood
  Three hundred men and three men
  And then I prayed I might yet see
  Our fetters rent in twain
  And Scotland, long a province, be
  A nation once again
  
  [CHORUS]
  [A nation once again
  A nation once again
  And Scotland, long a province, be
  A nation once again]
  
  And from that time through wildest woe
  That hope has shone a far light
  Nor could loves brightest summer glow
  Outshine that solemn starlight
  It seemed to watch above my head
  In forum, field and fane
  Its angel voice sang round my bed
  A nation once again
  
  (CHORUS)
  
  It whispered too that Freedom's ark
  And Service high and holy
  Would be profaned by feelings dark
  And passions vain or lowly
  For Freedom comes from God's right hand
  And needs a godly train
  And righteous men must make our land
  A nation once again
  
  (CHORUS)
  
  So, as I grew from boy to man
  I bent me to that bidding.
  My spirit of each selfish plan
  And cruel passion ridding.
  For thus I hoped some day to aid
  Oh, can such hope be vain
  When my dear country shall be made
  A nation once again.
  

• 253. Jackie - Shetland

  Tuesday, August 14, 2007 20:19

  Politicans are servants to the will of the electorate. Let the public decide the direction our country will take. And with grace let the losing parties accept the verdict and get on with making our country great

• 254. Fraser Archibald Wallace - St Andrews

  Tuesday, August 14, 2007 20:20

  Now, the question that needs to be asked of the unionists is:
  
  Why uniquely would Scotland fail?
  
  We have greater natural resources and potential than many countries in Europe, yet do not achieve what we should.
  
  What does the Union grant Scotland? A place on the security council and a right to police the middle east?
  
  Smaller countries have more influence per capita in Europe as well.
  
  A chance to decide our own future would be greatly helpful economically as well.
  
  The south East of England consumes resources. High interest rates are to the benefit of this region, but not the North of England, Wales, NI, or Cornwall.
  42.5% of UK's defence budget is spent in the South East- thats the biggest in Europe, raising the areas economic profile massively. With Scotland independent, we would not need to pay for this.
  
  And 40% of the UK's 7 billion mortgage relief goes to 17 million in the South East of England... I think Cornwall, areas in Wales and Scotland are more in need than the south wast of England!
  
  The thing is, when the UK government claims that Scotland pays more tax than it receives, apart from that being false fundamentally, it does not mention the South Easts huge 'subsidy' through the funding of museums, the London Docklands project etc.
  
  Scotland is already fine economically. The question on independence should not be whether, it should be when!

• 255. Douglas Chapman - Dunfermline

  Tuesday, August 14, 2007 20:22

  Seems sensible and democratic to ask the question and very happy to see that we have a capable statesman in Alex Salmond who has delivered on what he promised before the election.
  
  If those who regard themselves as British and not Scottish and who think the Union has served us well...what have you got to fear ? If the Union has been so good for Scotland then no doubt people will vote for its continuation in their droves !
  
  For those who want to live in a more affluent, confident and successful nation then we will put the case for independence. Sounds a very grown up approach to me !
  
  Just because we're having a debate on the future of Scotland doesn't mean that other priorities of the government come to a grinding halt.
  
  While the debate goes on, Alex Salmond and his government team ( which by all accounts is doing quite well ) will continue to govern and raise Scotland's game at home and abroad.

• 256. Lesley McDade - Edinburgh

  Tuesday, August 14, 2007 20:24

  The issue of the Crown and the discriminatory issue on basis of religious bias. This nonsense needs to stop. My proposal is that the Queen currently in post remain in post until death. Thereafter, anyone who can show lineage from a King or Queen of Scotland - possibly via DNA (to capture those from the wrong side of the duvet) be paraded for Scotland to choose their Sovereign on the premis that any Sovereign continues the tradition that the Sovereign is equal to his/her people. Prince Charles be given the opportunity to place his hat in the ring.
  
  ie, it be written in to Act of Parliament that upon the Death of a Sovereign, a new Sovereign will be chosen from those who can establish they descend from any royal line of Scotland.
  
  The Sovereign be free to marry whomsoever he chooses (including gay/lesbian).
  
  Regards.
  
  Lesley
  
  
  

• 257. fiona carmichael - Eaglesham

  Tuesday, August 14, 2007 20:26

  commenter 177.
  
  I am sorry you feel that the break up of the union doesnt concern you, nor interest you. It is of National importance and I find it hilarious that you find the "National" news "YOUR LOCAL"...I watched the Channel 4 news which is broadcast nationally and therefore a "UK" news programme not London tonight or whatever you watch.
  
  This came forth on the agenda of the news , behind English Yob culture and Foot and Mouth in England and Protestors at an English airport.
  
  The BBC is just as bad , and funded by Scottish money as well as English.
  
  Campaign for English Independence if you dont want to hear about Scotland.
  
  best wishes
  
  
  
  
  

• 258. James - Brighton

  Tuesday, August 14, 2007 20:28

  Might as well get on with and give Scotland independence. If a referendum is held which says 'no', then in a few years time another will be held, then another and another and another until the SNP finally imposes its will on the people of not just Scotland, but also the UK.

• 259. D Kirkham - Bristol

  Tuesday, August 14, 2007 20:28

  Don't allow unionists to trot out the same old reactionary statements that it is small minded to move towards independence and that we have to cling to the UK. To believe that the 'UK' represents anything other than a legitimisation of England's hijack of the British isles is laughable. 99% of Europeans could not tell you the difference between England and the UK. Surely being part of the UK gives Scotland and Wales less influence if anything. Would Scottish and Welsh troops be out in Iraq getting blown up for an American adventure if those nations had more say?

• 260. Matthew Freedman - London, England, United Kingdom(s) apparently

  Tuesday, August 14, 2007 20:34

  If there was a vote in England, I'd vote to have a fairer devolution. I would hope that any UK MP would act in the interest of all the people on the Island. But if you do go for independence make sure it is independence, not independence (read European Unionism).

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