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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• 41. Peter Mclean - Glasgow

  Tuesday, August 14, 2007 12:31

  The people of Scotland don't need the executive to waste Parliament time in order for them to have a debate on independence. Both opinion polls and the election results show that there is no ground swell of demand for independence, and this is a cynical attempt to stoke it up. Get on with some real work.

• 42. Alan Tait - Glasgow

  Tuesday, August 14, 2007 12:32

  Can people please remember that the SNP are a minority government? That means that the majority of people didn’t vote for them.
  While I agree they have done some good in the last few months (they abolished top-up fees which as a recently ex –student I am quite happy about) Scottish independence will not cause Scotland to instantly become a more prosperous nation. It is more likely that the uncertainly caused will hurt our economy.
  Even though I am proud to be Scottish on the world scale I would prefer to be British. The Blair era may have tarnished our reputation on the world stage being a UK citizen still holds a lot more weight than being Scottish.
  In the end what does it really change apart from a misplaced sense of nationalism? People have quoted that there is free movement and trade across Europe. The EU is moving towards a unified state – it may never get there but that is what they are planning. The UK is a big player in Europe – Scotland would be reduced to a small country with little say in the matter.
  

• 43. Daniel Strachan - East Lothian

  Tuesday, August 14, 2007 12:33

  I agree that the parliament should get more control over Scottish matters, however independence is NOT the way forward.
  
  I don't know if you have noticed but isn't it funny that the majority of people that support the Nats and independance are from the North of Scotland - so far from reality its untrue. Where Scotland matters is the central belt, it makes decisions and carries the majority of the votes of the nation and brings in the vast majority of Scotland's wealth.
  
  So, contrary to Linda in Buckie's opinion, Scotland NEVER have and NEVER will vote for independance and rightly so.

• 44. Morag - ayrshire

  Tuesday, August 14, 2007 12:37

  I welcome the opening of this national conversation on the constitutional future of scotland.i don't understand the comments that seem to imply that the governance of issues such as health, education the environment suffer because of it. surely the two strands are not mutually exclusive - the governing can take place as the conversation continues. i am also concerned with the opposition parties seeming reluctance to engage in the debate and their implications that they know what is best for the people of scotland.

• 45. William - Glasgow

  Tuesday, August 14, 2007 12:37

  I have waited for this day for many years. The Charles Stewart Parnell quote sums up what the Conservative, Labour and Lib Dem parties obviously do not believe. They wish to set a boundary on our progress as a nation. However, it is time to end our separation from the world. Independence is coming...

• 46. Bob Bertram - Midlothian

  Tuesday, August 14, 2007 12:38

  Although fundementally anti independance and anti nationalist politics; I do agree that this debate needs to be undertaken. I have no problem with the SNP and FM indicating their preference for independance, that is honest, however let us not ignore the other options in this "conversation". Please please dont give way to the Little Scotlanders!

• 47. Daniel Strachan - East Lothian

  Tuesday, August 14, 2007 12:39

  Ross McLean, spot on.
  
  You have hit the nail on the head and your beliefs seem to represent the majority of Scots accross the Central Belt.
  
  Unfortunately, the Northerners are determined to stay narrow minded and "keep themsels their ane". Funny how the SNP are paying for new developments on roads in their strongholds such as the A9, yet where they are unpopular don't expect any favours from Mr Swinney.

• 48. jim - ayrshire

  Tuesday, August 14, 2007 12:40

  I`am not agin your aspirations however, I do believe that there is still a lot of improvement to be done with the Scottish Parliament & the calibre of the politicians and their personal priorities before independence can be truly considered.
  
  
  

• 49. richard - West Lothian

  Tuesday, August 14, 2007 12:40

  80%Of the Scottish electorate want a referendum on independence.
  
  Why are unionist parties ganging up to stop one?

• 50. Raaj - Cumbernauld

  Tuesday, August 14, 2007 12:42

  I did not vote for the SNP but I can see they have made some progress to date.
  
  Now that they are in power, it should come as no surprise to anyone that they have raised the Independence question.
  
  Whilst I am not Pro-Independence, I respect their right to raise the question and am glad they appear to be engaging with the Scottish people in an intelligent way.
  
  Let's have the debate and see what the people really think as opposed to what the political parties think!
  
  
  

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