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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• 441. Karen MacLean - Edinburgh

  Wednesday, August 15, 2007 09:26

  Of course Scotland should be independent. Research demonstrates that Scotland will be wealthier and, for me anyway, happier when we can wholly govern our own land.
  Isn't there a book out there called 'Breaking the Ties that Bind'?
  'Tis time!

• 442. Duncan Macniven - East Kilbride

  Wednesday, August 15, 2007 09:30

  Alex you have brought dignity and self respect into Scottish politics for the first time in hundreds of years. At long last I get a sense that the Scottish nation is lifting it's head and looking to a future that will inevitably be independent, you and your party have gone a long way to securing that, thank you.
  To the unionist's i can only say: Do you hand your wages to your next door neighbour on a Friday and allow them to hand you a weekly allowance? And if you do, does it fill you with pride and self respect? Do you dance to your neighbours tune and cow tow to their every wish, as Labour has done for the past 50 years?

• 443. Alan - Glasgow

  Wednesday, August 15, 2007 09:31

  If ever proof were needed that we are supposed to jump to mighty England's commands, just go back to the 19th century. Admiral Lord Nelson said ( when addressing the BRITISH army )..."ENGLAND Expects every man to do his duty". So the Welsh & Scottish should have just walked away.." nothing to do with us lads,seems to be England only.. let's go home for our tea"
  -------
  General Woolfe in Canada..." send the Scots in first, they are expendable".
  ----
  Why do we want to associated with a country which treats us like this ?

• 444. Craig Watters - Larbert

  Wednesday, August 15, 2007 09:32

  I am 100% for a referendum. The other parties are convinced Scotland will vote against independence. However if this was really the case surely they should allow the referendum and argue the benefits of remaining part of the UK instead we get the usual negative and tired sound bites!

• 445. Chicmac - Greenock

  Wednesday, August 15, 2007 09:34

  In response to post 1. In my view, many of those working in the Scottish media, are at best, mediocre.
  
  They would not enjoy the position they do, except for the fact that they are either Unionist (not incompatable with mediocrity) or are willing to toe the U-line for career reasons.
  
  We all know how astonished visitors to Scotland are with the press bias, especially the drip-drip, nightly propaganda designed to undermine Scots self-esteem and hence prevent them voting for normal levels of self-determination.
  
  Those, who perpetrate this, may well delude themselves that the end justifies the means, and that it is a victimless crime.
  
  This is not true, democracy is a victim and so are those young Scots who take their own lives at twice the UK rate and increasing (while decreasing in England).
  
  Some may be acting in ignorance and stupidity, but for those who justify this in terms of 'Saving Scotland from itself' - Shame on you!

• 446. Craig - Aberdeen

  Wednesday, August 15, 2007 09:37

  Of course there should be a referendum on Independence and the opposition politicians are being indredibly arrogant when they argue that MSPs at Holyrood should decide this on behalf of the people. This position is untenable and I doubt whether they will be able to hold this line in the face of contrary public opinion. I believe that about 80% of the voting public support the concept of a referendum although not all would vote in favour of Independence.
  
  Personally I want the chance to vote and I will be voting in favour. Scotland needs the Union shackles removed in order to develop to its full potential.

• 447. John Melrose - Largs

  Wednesday, August 15, 2007 09:40

  I am all for Independence for Scotland and at least Alex Salmond has the courtesy to ask us what we want, unlike Tony Blair pushing us into two wars that had nothing to do with Britain and an imigration policy that is destroying Britain and it's way of life. Come on lets get rid of the self serving numpties down south, they have bled Scotland dry for years. And dont forget Brown isdoing nothing to reverse Blairs faulted decisions

• 448. George - Inverness-shire

  Wednesday, August 15, 2007 09:40

  I think that it is sad to see the petty ill informed sniping anti English (and anti Scottish) comments appearing in this blog. This debate must be an informed adult one, based upon an examination of the potential Scottish GDP, the costs of running our country, the potential effect on cost of living, taxes, employment, health care, education and all the important factors which make a country successful or not. Let us have a constructive debate not a parochial points scoring one. Scotland is renowned for its exports of technology, engineering, scientific discovery and innovation over the centuries as well as for its welcoming open culture, let us demonstrate these characteristics in this debate. Go forward, go positively, go confidantly and above all considerately.

• 449. Duncan Kellock - Alva

  Wednesday, August 15, 2007 09:40

  When we see the difference that the new SNP led administration in Edinburgh has made in 100 short days it should stimulate us all who live in this woderful country of ours to lift our heads up and demand a greater degree of self determination.The tired days of compromise and the deadening effect of Labour led administrations should be consigned forever to the history books where they belong!

• 450. Eddie Drummond - Dunoon

  Wednesday, August 15, 2007 09:50

  You have to ask yourself why the unionist parties are so against asking the Scots their opinion of Independence, I think they are probably deeply concerned by the answer the Scots may come up with.
  I for one am absolutely fed up being treated like a numpty by various London centric parties and wish to state her and now that from the little money I have I would be prepared to donate to a referendum fund. Anybody Else?

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