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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• 351. Sam - Castle Douglas

  Tuesday, August 14, 2007 23:48

  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.

• 352. Nick - England

  Tuesday, August 14, 2007 23:50

  Alex Salmond said recently that after independence, Scotland would be England's best pal. The question is, would England want Scotland as ITS best pal?
  
  The current Westminster government is a quasi-socialist one, mostly elected by a disproportionate system favouring the Scots and Welsh. If Scotland leaves the Union, then England, with a conservative majority, would no doubt return a right of centre government at the following election. How far right, we don't know. Would that English government keep England in the EU? If not, England and Scotland would not be subject to the same European economic and political strictures, and would evolve separately in legal, fiscal and other ways. Perhaps the English would then choose to put up a big fence across the Cheviots, and send the residual Scots in England back to Scotland. Border controls on every road, due to different tax regimes in each country become a distinct possibility. You can extend the argument from here yourselves.
  
  Please remember, this National Conversation does not just affect the position of Scotland. It profoundly affects the status of England too. The Scots would not be able to control the way that England developed separately. Here's a fanciful example. Say that Scotland becomes nuclear free. Faslane nuclear sub base closes. England decides to keep the subs at a new base it builds at Barrow-in-Furness. Does the Scots' stance make them any safer? Of course not. Any attack on Barrow would lay waste to much of south west Scotland. Does Scotland then have the power and influence to remove that new base? Again, No. To retain any influence over England, Scotland is better off in the Union.

• 353. Ewan Mclean - Ayrshire

  Tuesday, August 14, 2007 23:51

  I think it should be up to the people of Scotland to decide whether or not we should become independant. True democracy would allow the people of Scotland to decide, what annoys me about labour is, that they don't want it, end of story and we have no opinion on the matter, at least the SNP are giving us the oppurtunity to have a say in our future.
  
  I reckon that £40,000 of taxpayers money is a small price pay.

• 354. Frank Johnston - Bishopbriggs, Glasgow

  Tuesday, August 14, 2007 23:53

  I have yet to meet a single person who does not consider the Edinburgh parliament to be a complete disaster.
  The question I would like to be asking in a referendum is whether we should close the place down, and revert to the system which served us well for almost three centuries. The whole Scottish parliament is an embarrassment to the Scottish people, and the idea of increasing it's powers needs to be stamped on firmly.

• 355. R Ross - Leicester England

  Tuesday, August 14, 2007 23:53

  I am a scot born in Rothesay unfortunately I was brought down to England as a lad with my family. I have lived in England for nearly 40 years but I am hoping to come and live in Scotland next year. Scotland has always been my home and nothing will change that. On my several visits to Scotland over the years I always ask myself the same question if we are all equal and British why is there a difference in living standards in England and Scotland.
  Scots should come down to England to see how the other half live then they might realise what they are missing, then perhaps they will see and think differently, there is only one choice a full and independent Scotland.
  

• 356. John stone - Edinburgh

  Tuesday, August 14, 2007 23:55

  The conversation for independence is clearly a just and democratic way of deciding a policy that could influence a nation> Surely any country would benefit economically from being in control of its own economy and being able to trade without the restraints of its so-called partners in UK. Of course there is benefits to being part of the UK. But surely these are outweighed by the chances a independent nation has, and the pride and sense of purpose its citzens have.
  
  

• 357. Gordon Anderson - Aberdeen

  Tuesday, August 14, 2007 23:56

  Of course there are many who proclaim to be Scots but don't want independence for then we couldn't blame the english for our poor health, standard of living, bad roads and transport, etc etc. Come on Scotland lets lose the 'inferior' chip on our shoulder,stand on our own two feet and show the world what a proud and successful nation we can be. Then at least if we do make a mess of it we can only blame ourselves. But, you know what I don't think we we would make a mess of it.

• 358. Ken Johnston - Glasgow

  Tuesday, August 14, 2007 23:56

  Jim Sillars (Margo McDonald's Husband) was right all those years ago. We Scots are patriots for the 90 minutes of a Scotland/England match. After that, ouch well we'll still take the English shilling. A bunch of fearties who will peep over the wall but are scared to make the jump.

• 359. Sandy - Glasgow

  Tuesday, August 14, 2007 23:57

  As a long-standing Labour member I was so disappointed at the last election to hear the party rant on about how the roof would cave in if the SNP were elected. This negative strategy, instead of celebrating the real achievements of the Parliament over the years was a real scunner to Labour voters and others. It totally backfired and I for one voted with my feet.
  
  Some humility and grace would go a long way. Sometimes it seems that they haven't learned their lesson, but I'm sure that the reality of opposition will sink in and they will engage eventually.
  
  The unionist parties should embrace the debate and they, not the SNP are the ones attempting to restrict the agenda. Stifling the debate and treating the electorate like idiots will only make matters worse for them. For once in my life I find myself agreeing with Michael Forsyth. This anti-everything stance against even the option of independence just makes the opposition parties look scared, silly and completely out of touch.
  
  Let the people converse (well, some of them...only about 13 or 14 female contributors in the first 100!). Let the people debate, let the people express their views and let the people decide.

• 360. Sam McCubbin - Drongan Ayrshire.

  Tuesday, August 14, 2007 23:57

  We are a coming to a major point in time for the future destiny of Scotland and out people. Our people have suffered over the labour years, the poor got poorer,the sick became more ill and the elderly froze and were forced to sell their holmes to provide for their own care after most of their generation died in two wars to keep us free. Scotland must move on for the better of our people, for economic improvement and investment in our young and old. A nation that has had £360 billion plundered from our wealth in the north sea. Scotland is a country of innovation with an intelligent people so we now have time to reflect and move our country on to better things and higher expectations. The Labour party that we all knew died when John Smith died and if the sad day ever comes again that Scotland in governed by a branch of the English based labour party then god help us all. We all must grasp Scotlands future for all of our people. So please think long and think hard and before you decide look around the industrial wastelands that we have inherited from English rule in Westminster. Free Scotland.

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