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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• 501. K Walker - East Lothian

  Wednesday, August 15, 2007 11:47

  All the talk from the SNP administration about how Scotland's oil wealth has gone south is irrelevant as it is historic. Oil revenues are no longer what they were, London is currently the powerhouse of the UK economy and subsidises Scotland - a situation that is likely to continue for the forseeable future. Independence for Scotland would see less money available to spend here unless taxes increased.
  The only thing devolution has done for Scotland has been to give us a Micky Mouse parliament at enormous cost. If devolution is supposed to convince me as a Scottish taxpayer that independence is a viable option, then it has failed miserably.
  The main supporters of Scottish independence should probably be the English, as they will no longer have to subsidise Scotland through their taxes and will consequently see an improvement in the standard of their public services. I know where I'd choose to live.

• 502. Sohail Khan - London

  Wednesday, August 15, 2007 11:47

  I will state when Gorbachev took the transition for Russia -followed on by Yeltsin and subsequently Vladimir Putin. Russia was weak economically and needed modernising and a change emphasis. The Energy assets were squandered and now thankfully the Russians have seen the merits to control their own Energy Portfolio and with it we see the modernisation of Russia.
  In relation to Scotland when fiscal autonomy is realised and the economy is self determined, there equally can be a review of Scotland energy portfolio where there can be an exploration tax for foreign oil entities that is suitable to the modern era. Further to this a Scottish State Own Oil Corporation set up to but the energy portfolio from the North Sea. Further exploration in other segments for new undiscovered oil.
  Emphasis equally on renewables and building an energy portfolio just as the Russians have done.
  So can Scotland survive as an independent autonomous nation state? Absolutely, Its industry and economy is mature and education is world class. Socially modern with a cultural rich history. Geo Politically has governance structures that has to be fit for purpose for a Modern Scotland in a modern era.
  Fiscal autonomy means a self determined state and I this this is long overdue. Scotland needs to be a self determined nation.
  Technology, Agriculture, Tourism, Energy and Retail as well as Education sectors can all be self sustaining with comparative ease. They all have vast potential for growth and equally contribute to the wealth creation and growth cycle of the Scottish Economy.
  The Political structure are mature and advance enough to be self determined without the need for Westminster's involvement.
  A foreign Minister for the Scottish people? -yes absolutely,A Scottish seat and Ambassador at the United Nations? Again Scotland fulfils the criteria for self determine status so this is a real fact and possibility.
  Scotland would equally have a seat in Europe which have to be applied for but again it would fulfil the criteria once fiscal and political autonomy from Westminister is realised.
  So are these a realistic outlook ? absolutely, the emphasis is change and moving Scotland forward as a self determined sovereign nation state in the modern era.
  The people must now place faith and hope for the future and realise their self determination.
  The opportunity now exist to grasp this process of self determination and stand tall amongst the family of sovereign nation states.

• 503. Alastair Greig - Edinburgh

  Wednesday, August 15, 2007 11:53

  A complete reform of the electoral process should also be discussed. All the main parties are over-represented.
  
  Devolution should be the start in a more direct democracy in Scotland. The West of Scotland Labour Party should not have as much influence on the rest of Scotland as they do now. Certainly not in the north of the country.
  
  We should be changing the consititution and the entire decision making process.

• 504. Alex Brodie - Glasgow

  Wednesday, August 15, 2007 11:55

  Mr Salmond writes of three realistic alternatives - status quo, more devolved powers, or full independence. For sure I'm not alone in thinking of two others, equally realistic, - reduced devolved powers, or total abolition of the Scottish Parliament. I trust these will be offered as options in any future referendum so that none of the 'sovereign people' may be disenfranchised.

• 505. Edna Reith - London

  Wednesday, August 15, 2007 11:58

  I've been living in London for thirty years and have been forced to the conclusion that the English are a different kind of animal from us. Mainly, they think in terms of hierarchy, where we think in terms of equality. It is difficult to see how their outlook could ever serve our purposes. I have only one reservation about independence. How will they ever manage without us?

• 506. Ed - Edinburgh

  Wednesday, August 15, 2007 12:13

  The Scottish government's paper is a recognition that independence is a PROCESS, not an EVENT, and that this process has been going on for 300 years, and is inevitable.
  
  History lesson: Three centuries ago, our Scottish ruling class lost a trade war with England. Scotland was bankrupt, and more importantly, our rulers personally were too. So when our budding imperialist neighbour came along with suitcases of money and an offer they couldn't refuse, they accepted on our behalf, despite us (the working-class people of Scotland) rioting in the streets. Those material circumstances no longer apply, and we have gradually been attempting to reverse that historical decision ever since.
  
  Without wanting to dwell on certain unpleasant social and economic consequences of that asymmetrical relationship in the succeeding 300 years, there have also been a few things to celebrate about us being, or rather, having been, part of the UK state:
  
  a) a share in the material prosperity of the British Empire
  b) our shared role in defeating fascism in the Second World War
  c) unrestrained cultural and social contact with the rest of the UK
  d) the establishment of the NHS and Welfare State
  
  None of these things apply now like they once did:
  
  a) the Empire is over and we now realise the dreadful consequences for the rest of the world (and the planet) of colonial exploitation whether by Britain or its erstwhile American replacement;
  
  b) the Second World War has been just about the only military venture by the UK state where we should been involved and were on the correct side, and Iraq above all shows how bad it is for defence and foreign affairs to be issues reserved to Westminster;
  
  c) Scottish independence will now inevitably, and happily, mean not only open borders with England, but with the rest of Europe, and hopefully, one day the rest of the world; and
  
  d) with Labour dismantling and privatising everything in sight, let alone what the Tories will do when they come back at a UK level, Scottish independence looks like the only
  prospect of defending these gains for ordinary people
  
  Just like the American Empire, the UK is over. It just doesn't realise it yet. And, stuck in their 1970s time warp with their slogans about "separation", the Scottish Labour Party doesn't realise it either. This national conversation deserves better from them than
  attempting to undermine its launch by announcing a high-profile resignation. Unless they NOW start coming to terms with the historical inevitability of the gradual restoration of Scottish independence, then, sometime in the next twenty years or so, they are going to end up in the round filing cabinet, along with my British passport.
  

• 507. Kaz - Stirlingshire

  Wednesday, August 15, 2007 12:15

  I am wholeheartedly in favour of Independence and admire the SNP for fulfilling thier election promises of, at the very least, giving the people of Scotland the opportunity to discuss the matter of Independence.
  The unionist parties are quick to critise notions of a referendum but are yet to offer any suitable alternatives to the people of Scotland. Ok they have now been coerced into talking about greater powers for the devolved government - which can only be a step in the right direction.
  My feeling is that once people see greater powers for the Scottish Parliament that it is human nature to want more and more again.
  I think the SNP should sit back and ride the wave of this change and it could be a long wave but in time Scotland will gain a stonger confidence in itself and will more willingly move towards the prospect of Independence.
  As for the Unionist parties attempting to thwart the democratic progression of our proud and capable country this is a blatant insult to our intelligence as a nation.
  Ask the people of Norway, Republic of Ireland and the rest of the richest European nations about the pros and cons of becoming Independent - Im sure the majority would agree that they have NEVER looked back!!!!
  On the issue of us having control of our own broadcasting rights - this is exactly what we need to build a greater confidence in our nation, not as a platform for SNP to preach about Independence (im quite sure that would never be tolerated) but in fact to prevent the Unionist parties to continually preach negative feeling into our nation that we are not capable of running our own country - we are more than capable of building a successful, vibrant, thriving indendent nation free from the ball and chain that been holding us back all these years.
  What we want is fairness, equality and CLARITY!! in our broadcasting and in our politics.

• 508. Jacqueline Guthrie - Fife

  Wednesday, August 15, 2007 12:16

  The Kingdom of Scotland was an independent state from 843 until 1707, we had our own Kings and Queens and we still have our own Laws from the Act of Union, if you know your Scottish History you will know that the signatories of this Union were forced to sign the treaty due to unrest and rioting in Edinburgh. So the People of Scotland at this time DID not want a Union with England, our Enemy. Sure times have changed, but have they in the people of Scotland. We are a proud nation, with a strong national identity. All this rubbish about we dont have the money or the resources to be a strong independent Country, is coming from the people who know, that the People of Scotland are the true resource for a strong, rich and proud Country.

• 509. Mike Samson - Edinburgh

  Wednesday, August 15, 2007 12:17

  Let's face it, an awful lot of people aren't calling for an independent Scotland but for an independent Highlands! The Central Belt is where the money is, and those involved in business realise the value of being part of a joined-up UK.

• 510. graham - wester-ross

  Wednesday, August 15, 2007 12:17

  In response to 439.The tax figures only take into account businesses based in Scotland.How many Scots pay bills to businesses based in england.BT for example.The revenue raised in Scotland is far greater than the statistics suggest.If you take the gross GDP(which you will have great trouble finding ,for political reasons) and then look at the tax we pay the con will become obvious.

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