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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• 641. Ciaran - Aberdeenshire

  Wednesday, August 15, 2007 18:10

  bring on independance- we have suffered enough from the u.k governments mistakes i.e iraq and i dare say iran in the near future. also we should get our independance and keep our oil (or whats left of it) well done SNP and Alex Salmond for bringing this country forward and showing a level of maturity that labour could never deliver. If i could vote, it would be yes!!! but unfortunatly i'm only 16- and for Alex Salmond YOU HAVE THE SCOTTISH YOUTH SUPPORT!! GOODLUCK!!

• 642. Legless - Northumberland

  Wednesday, August 15, 2007 18:12

   

• 643. Stephen McKerron - Aberdeen

  Wednesday, August 15, 2007 18:13

  A referendum is only the first step to real constitutional change in Scotland........following a certain YES vote we need to ensure that future Governments actually have mandate to rule i.e. they are elected by the majority of 100% of the electorate and NOT just a majority of the paltry 40-45% of those who can be bothered to vote!!......ROLL ON AN INDEPENDENT SCOTLAND.

• 644. Chris Hamilton - Bristol, Avon

  Wednesday, August 15, 2007 18:16

  I love my native Scotland, but I am British. I was born in Lanarkshire, and spent the first 18 years of my life living in Scotland. I have spent the last 4 years living in Bristol as a result of my job and I am seriously considering not coming back. The xenophobic, selfish and isolationist attitude of the current Executive makes me sick. Why do the SNP seem so intent in taking Scotland out of one of the most successful and prominent nations on Earth, to become some insignificant rock in the North Atlantic. And before you mention Ireland, when did they last make a big impact on the world stage? It will break my heart to see the country I love being torn apart, but if that happens then my skills as a Railway Signalling Engineer will stay here in England.

• 645. Ash - Ayrshire/USA

  Wednesday, August 15, 2007 18:22

  Alex Salmond and the SNP Government are to be congratulated on throwing open the debate on Scotland's constitutional future to the people. A democratic debate/ democratic vote on the future of our country cannot be wrong. The status of our counrty must be the most important of all potical questions, controlling as it does such questions as war/ peace (Iraq), nuclear weapons, economic comptence of our parliament and our role in the world... well done to Alex Salmond to open the debate. I can't understand why or how any democratic politician could object to a referendum

• 646. Mark McLay - Falkirk

  Wednesday, August 15, 2007 18:28

  Why am i so annoyed?I will tell you.It is all these unionists.They claim that they are acting in our best interests by not allowing us to have a referendum.These people are holding our country back and denying US what i believe is our destiny as Scots.WE ARE CONSIDERED INCAPABLE OF RUNNING OUR OWN AFFAIRS BY THE LIARS,CHEATS AND WARMONGERS IN LONDON;THIS ENRAGES ME.WHAT ENRAGES ME MORE IS THE SCOTS WHO BOW THERE HEADS AND AGREE WITH THEM.COWARDS!!!YOU ARE NO BROTHERS OF MINE!!
  
  SOAR ALBA

• 647. andrew smith - Dundee

  Wednesday, August 15, 2007 18:28

  i beleive in Independance, however i also beleive that the majority of unionists would probably favour a referendum as well as it will either break up the union or it will cement it for a generation, with this in mind it could be beneficial for them. Anyone who is against people having their say on what IS a MAJOR issue is agaist the democratic process and more importantly is elevating themselves above the electorate and the will of the scottish people, whatever that may be, no woder so many people are cynical of politicians

• 648. John - Dundee

  Wednesday, August 15, 2007 18:31

  This website & blog does not represent the majority voice of Scotland - Only around 30% of the population want independence. I think this blog has been hijacked by the(SNP)party to fix the debate.

• 649. Chris Robbins - Edinburgh

  Wednesday, August 15, 2007 18:37

  I'm a little concerned that the referendum may be worded poorly - like the first vote on devolution. It doesn't actually say the type of independence that is being negotiated.
  We've learnt that PR in Parliamentary elections waters down policies - no party gets a clear majority, so no clear mandates. For us to now say "OK, go ahead and negotiate" doesn't give us a voice in what independence is to be achieved.
  
  Personally, I'd say that independence not only equates to the removal of power from the UK parliament - but also we should lose the monarchy (they don't have the scottish blood that was present at the time of the Union). Additionally, nobody's selling the benefits of being in Europe - we could leave on independence. And although the proposals don't say that we would leave NATO (initially), independence from NATO would be popular.
  
  So come on, lets be precise in what independence is under offer before we vote on it.

• 650. Stuart Craig - New York

  Wednesday, August 15, 2007 18:37

  The opportunity to participate in this "Conversation" demonstrates what leadership is all about - having the confidence, vision and guts to engage Scots on a global scale. Come on Scotland, it's time to take our place at a bigger table. I think a lot of us ex-pats would strongly consider coming back....

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