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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• 341. Ian Ferguson - Edinburgh

  Tuesday, August 14, 2007 23:39

  Its so clear, that it amazes me some can not see. The British Government will not give up power easily, they certainly have not in Northern Ireland, or anywhere else in the World, every independance was hard won! So they will never give up Scotland unless forced to, (by the people's vote) and even then its doubtful, whether they would allow such a jewel in their crown to go. The financial expertise of the Scots, the oil of the Scots, the whisky of the Scots, the governing abilities of the Scots are such great earners for the UK. They do not subsidise Scotland so well for no reason, they would be hard pressed without us, we earn every penny!
  Scotland is assured of its success in this world, there is no doubt to that fact, but I realise it takes some faith to believe in ourselves. I look forward to an independant Scotland which would definately walk tall in the World, Side by side with England and Wales and Northern Ireland in a UK common market,or federation, no splits, no pain just free!
  It is time to see the future, accept the changes, let the Scots rule their land. Let the English rule their land. Let the Welsh rule their land, Let the Irish rule their land.
  Lets see if we can make it ouselves! an Edinburgh historian said that The Scots have piggy backed on the British Empire since Panama, its time to get off the piggy now, we are surely strong enough to walk alone.
  It is an extremely exciting time, a time for peace and prosperity for a free and independant Scotland, where the people are citizens of importance, rather than subjects of the realm.

• 342. Angus Mac Rury -

  Tuesday, August 14, 2007 23:39

  A quality beginning to a debate that deserves to be heard.
  
  The words expressed so eloquently and genuinely by Alex Salmond are all inclusive and deliberately put out towards the inhabitants of Scotland, (and beyond!), whilst in a real contrast the words of the hastily cobbled together unionist response where yesterday's political parties spoke of saving the union, voting this down etc looked rather lame in comparison-we've heard it all before, and not that long ago either!
  
  The desperate commentary of this united voice was before the Scottish Government White Paper was even in the public domain!
  
  Realise this difference, your McConnell, your Steven your Goldie stood side by side and were, (rather embarrassingly I thought), clambering over themselves to defend the union, which is a whole different concept from making arguments for the constitutional status quo in Scotland and having the confidence to say that they'll debate their case and demonstrate their argument to the people.
  
  They don't do that sort of thing. Vive la difference!
  
  This is in complete contrast to the inclusiveness and consensus of the Scottish Government, who thus far continue to prove that they will talk to everyone, debate with anyone anywhere and accept the result of what ever emerges from this much needed and important discussion in the interests of Scotland.
  
  The unionists are of course united in their negativity, it almost brought a tear to my eye I have to say what with tory labour and libdem suddenly united as one, but they'll have to engage in all this regardless, and also actually involve the people of Scotland that they claim to represent to boot.
  
  They really won't enjoy that as much as we the people will!
  
  Somehow they came across as having learned nothing from the Scottish Elections last May, and looked to be doing as always that which they do best, and that is representing and promoting the Westminster view as their branch party status allows, and not even considering that the majority of Scots want to see what the options for the future actually are.
  
  For those who will have many questions, even on this forum, remember that if labour had won the election, you'd have no hope of finding the answer to your questions let alone seeing the issues be discussed openly!
  
  They'd have simply battered on being as incompetent and lacking in initiative in power as they are proving to be in opposition.
  
  As a rather ancient nation, we should involve ourselves vigorously in this discussion, let's use our intellect, let's see what we are made of, because it is an opportunity to become informed, a unique position that those used to governing from above would never dare to afford us.
  
  I have every confidence in Scotland being a successful Independent country, and have heard all sorts of meaningless and misinformed rhetoric about why this would be a disaster.
  
  To conclude, the amazing U turn by Labour, who will suddenly now discuss further devolved powers for the Scottish parliament (having campaigned so famously for the status quo as a manifesto pledge only three months ago in a Scottish election) shows that we must exercise real caution and consider the arguments put forward by parties properly and intelligently and think of what is best for Scotland.
  
  Three months and a bit of political reality has slightly kicked in reluctantly there.
  
  Notice that Gordon Brown, for example, rather unsurprisingly got very little bad press for announcing a discussion on constitutional change with big long boring speeches on every channel for days and days and days, and his 'initiative' was of a far lesser quality than this Scottish one will prove to be, just wait and see.
  
  We, as inhabitants of scotland will enjoy this discussion about Scotland's future!
  
  Keep our eye on the ball and we will go where we deserve to as a nation, we appear to at least have embraced the concept of a discussion, the most important part of any move to how our future as a country among many will best be served.
  
  The only people who will be scared will be those who are used to not having to justify what they are debating alleging or discussing, and i have a slight inkling of where that will derive from.
  
  Thanks
  
  
  

• 343. Phil - Wales

  Tuesday, August 14, 2007 23:40

  This is not just a question for the Scots, I am from this same lump of rock which makes up the UK. I was born with British NATIONALITY and if some body wishes to remove a part of my birth right they can think again. Down with petty tribalism. Scotland just like England and Wales belong to us all (just ask the Scots who chose to take up there right to live on other parts of this island)

• 344. Sam - Castle Douglas

  Tuesday, August 14, 2007 23:40

  Poor Nick of Edinburgh and his fear of how all this is going to be paid for. Obviously a plant for the unionist crew and thier bleating over dwindling tax revenue from oil. He fails to mention Holland or Belguim who have never benefitted from the wealth produced by the our oil monies that funded the booming economy of South East England. Look at Luxembourg and its Wealth from simply everyone paying less TAX, or, Malta that retains a control over its fishing grounds that Scotlands Fisherman would give their eye teeth for. You, Nick do not know how the other countries survive and in many cases have a much greater standard of living than the Scots. You can not rely on the media either as unbiased as they show only what has been chosen to suit their own agenda.
  You, Nick, should compare other small countries and the benefits their independant populations enjoy because as sure as night follows day, Scotland could not be any worse off than it has been since this disgusting relationship began. The controling Labour party overseen the decimation of ALL of Scotlands serious industries and now we are left with what? If you are going to decide on economics then what major difference has occured in your lifetime in Scotland? Have your or your kids opportunities broadened? or has it improved slightly? Then compare it with the small population countries of the EU and if you can not see that we are the poorer for this union then I feel sorry for your logic.

• 345. Ali Buchan - St Andrews

  Tuesday, August 14, 2007 23:40

  Just to echo Lord Forsyth's comments on newsnight tonight: why not have the referendum asap. The SNP came to power based on a campaign founded on independence, the election almost became a single issue debate. Consequently the referendum can be held on the same basis. If the SNP fail, the issue can be revisited in 10 or 15 years.
  
  If this is a naive pont of view please enlighten me.
  
  On a personal note I'm fed up of the racism I've been subjected to in Scotland as a result of my accent (educated in England born in Kirkaldy). I'm regularly told in no uncertain and much more offensive terms to go home, even though I am. In my view this pervading working-class attitude feeds the SNP and is the reason they have become the largest party.
  
  Oh, and has anybody considered the influx of talented and able Scottish MP's that would return from London should independence result. The parochial SNP MSPs would be subsumed in a myre of more able minds allied to opposition parties. Nicola Sturgeon vs Gordon Brown. Is there really a contest?

• 346. Scott Kinross - Edinburgh

  Tuesday, August 14, 2007 23:40

  Thanks for the opportunity for this debate. We need to have an open discussion about this subject.
  Is it not the case that we still have oil reserves and this could be put in a savings fund for future generations?
  Have smaller nations than ourselves economically survived if not thrived?
  At this point in history is not the time to make our international decisions as a nation of 5,000,000 people not as the silent nation of a historical Super Power.
  Lets have this debate and let the facts and points of views be discussed all over this country. Once this has happened let the people decide what they want to do.
  I think I know what this will be but then that would mean the Unionists have been using scare tatics for years.
  That could never be the case?
  Could it?
  

• 347. Alasdair MacPherson - Bannockburn

  Tuesday, August 14, 2007 23:43

  Why are Unionists so scared to hold a referendum on independece?
  
  It was quite ironic that the white paper was published today.We seen PM Gordon Brown on tv today celebrating the 60th anniversary of Pakistan's independence,this is the same man who will will do everything possible to block Scotland from reclaiming its righful status as an independent nation.

• 348. Carol Greig - Fife

  Tuesday, August 14, 2007 23:45

  I'm not sure about complete independence, but I do think that those of us who voted for devolution expected the Scottish Parliament to have more powers than it actually has. Up until the SNP took over, the Labour controlled Scottish Executive was a joke - nothing more than a mouthpiece for Westminster. The Scottish Parliament should definitely have more direct control over Scottish education, health, environmental issues, transport policy etc. Carol, Fife

• 349. Will Dawson - Dundee

  Tuesday, August 14, 2007 23:46

  Having listened to the arguments over the years, I find it disgraceful that the unionist parties scaremonger about independence.
  
  This conversation has been opened to allow the people of Scotland and whoever wishes the chance to express their views.
  
  The unionist parties feel that they have the right to deny the people of Scotland the chance to express their opinion and decide on their future. These parties are subject to the will of their Westminster masters and with some of the comments listed above, these other parties are now running scared.
  
  The first 100 days has shown that the SNP government has listened to the people of Scotland and are listening again.
  
  Scotland has a chance to flourish with independence and I encourage all to think about the benefits and not listen to the scare stories.
  
  Do your own research make up your own mind.
  
  Independence - Bring it on!

• 350. Hugh Clark - Motherwell

  Tuesday, August 14, 2007 23:48

  I remember voting no to devolution for Scotland in the seventies but changing my mind to yes in the nineties because of the Scotland Act and it's proposals - even for the Executive to raise taxes by 3%.
  I would like to remind my fellow Scots that if we vote yes then we could go bach to the seventies when tax was 33%

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