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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• 531. David Robertson - Inverness

  Wednesday, August 15, 2007 12:43

  Perhaps we should remember that, if the PEOPLE say YES to independence, all the present MP's in Westminster will be coming home to Scotland and, if they want to stay in politics, they will stand for the Scottish or EU Parliaments. There is no lack of political talent and experience in this country. The SNP said the referendum will likely take place in 2010 so there is plenty of time to discuss the matter and get all the information we need to make a sound decision.

• 532. Brian Hill - Scotland

  Wednesday, August 15, 2007 12:52

  The deliberate concealment of the McCrone Report in the early 70s detailing how rich an Independent Scotland would be is reason enough for having a Government independent of England.
  
  There will always be elements of the English establishment working to keep Scotland 'in her place.'
  
  Worse still are those Scots in the Labour and Tory Parties who willingly complied in this deliberate act of deception which has cheated the people of Scotland out of hundreds of billions of pounds over the past 30 years.
  
  For 3 months now Scotland has experienced People Politics. By the referendum we will have had 3 years to decide whether or not we would be better off under the People Politics of the SNP in Holyrood or return to the Power Politics of Westminster and its allies in the Unionist parties in Scotland.
  
  The difference being billions spent on the welfare of ordinary people or billions spent on or reserved for wars and weapons of destruction.
  
  I know which one I prefer and Independence is the key to achieving it.
  

• 533. Alan Campbell - Dundonald Ayrshire

  Wednesday, August 15, 2007 12:53

  At long last the chains of unionism has been loosened enough for others to see the potential of what independence can bring to the people of scotland.How dare anyone tells me we cant run our own affairs. Countries like Ireland, Norway etc are all showing us how it could be.

• 534. David Robertson - Inverness

  Wednesday, August 15, 2007 12:54

  Comment #125 "As a non-white person, I am extremely fearful of the rise of Scottish nationalism. Specifically, I am afraid that independence will give a licence to every bigot and drunken youth to tell me this is 'their country'. I am British, but who will protect me when my face no longer fits?" Ali-West Glasgow
  
  The same people who protect you today Ali. Your face fits fine. Drunken louts will pick on anyone, anywhere in the world, for a multitude of reasons. That's what they do. Just stay away from where they hang out. If you are seriously concerned go along to a local SNP function and meet the people. They are far from being who you think they are. The truth will make you free from fear.

• 535. john barber - Heywood, Lancashire

  Wednesday, August 15, 2007 12:56

  An 'independent' Scotland will rapidly just become a region of the EU. I love Scotland and find the majority of its people charming, but have been offended by the openly anti-English attitudes expressed in some of your papers, visitors centres etc. It is time to go our separate ways - it wasn't just the Scots who were dragged into the Union. Once we have parted, we can say goodbye to our Scots P.M. , defence minister etc.

• 536. DM - Edinburgh

  Wednesday, August 15, 2007 12:56

  A country cannot make any progress unless it has fiscal autonomy and can control its own investment. For government to be effective in Scotland, as much economic control as possible is vital. Full control of tax revenue is the only way forward. Otherwise we might as well let Westminster run the country again. Independence is therefore the only way to let the economy be managed closer to home. I see myself as Scottish and European, but have never felt British. I would have no problem with Scotland joining the European Union and standing at the top table in Europe with nations of similar size.

• 537. John Jackson - Lerwick

  Wednesday, August 15, 2007 12:58

  It's about time we had a serious debate on this subject. I'm sick of the unionists saying this exercise is a waste of time and money. If the Union is such a good deal, then let them put their case to the Scottish people; if they're right then they should have nothing to fear form this debate.

• 538. Colin McDonald - walton-on-thames

  Wednesday, August 15, 2007 13:00

  "Wednesday, August 15, 2007 00:32
  
  I am a Conservative Councillor in East Renfrewshire........ Here is a question - you don't have to answer it - just think about it.
  
  The NHS, pensions and social security are paid for from the contributions either through income tax, VAT or National Insurance of 60 million people. If 5 million people were making these contributions would the NHS, pensions and social security be better or worse?"
  
  
  Mr. McCaskill - I do believe you are being somewhat disingenuous with your question. You fail to mention that the NHS etc. is currently also USED by 60 million people. Were Scotland to be independent, 5 million people would be paying to support those services for 5 million people i.e. not entirely disimillar to the current situation. You may argue that economies of scale may lend themselves to some overhead sacings when distributed over the entire 60 million, but who's to say a Scottish government could not run these smaller, more manageable services in a far more efficient manner? In any event, your question as put is misleading - but I'm sure you knew that when you asked it.
  

• 539. Seven Coyle - Fife

  Wednesday, August 15, 2007 13:01

  The price of freedom is never cheap. There are those who's only thought is for themselves and how much independence will affect their own pocket. For to long we have had a Scottish Executive that have never or rarely challanged Westminister. Alex Salmond is only doing what any right minded leader would do.
  
  How do you know the water is cold until you test it. 3 months in and the lights still work the roads are still open and there is food in the shop, so much for the scaremongers. If you don't like it leave.

• 540. Pete - Edinburgh

  Wednesday, August 15, 2007 13:01

  All I see is power hungry people wanting more power as bigger fish in a smaller pond.
  
  This is nothing to do with Scots or Scotland. Its about politics and politicians, perceived power and self promotion. As for competance at government - just how many Sewell motions has Holyrood passed?
  

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