The Scottish Government

Jim Mather, Minister for Enterprise, Energy and Tourism

Friday, November 30, 2007

This Government's purpose and ambition of increased sustainable growth is the 'North Star' to which we should all be steering a constant course.

Our objective of matching the UK growth rate by 2011 is important but it is only a step on the way to building a stronger economy able to match and exceed our competitors.

We need to face the fact that Scotland's growth record over the last three decades has been mediocre. But the current situation is a great opportunity to catch up and converge with the arc of prosperity that surrounds our country - Ireland to the west, Iceland to the north, Norway to the east.

These countries are amongst the wealthiest in the world and they illustrate Scotland's potential for sustained economic growth.

As a nationalist, I don't think we can fully release Scotland's boundless potential without independence. However that doesn't mean we cannot begin to move in the right direction with the effective exploitation of microeconomic levers currently at our disposal and an agenda to de-clutter and increase confidence in Scotland.

I believe strongly that the best way to make progress - and the only way to achieve our fullest potential - is independence.

We operate in a global economy where competition is fierce and getting fiercer, where the pace of change is accelerating all the time. But that situation is tailor-made for a small flexible asset-rich nation of able talented people - with an international reputation for integrity and reliability - and the full power to compete.

I have absolutely no doubt that we have the capacity within us as a Government and as a nation to achieve a real, positive and beneficial change in our economic prospects in the years ahead.

This blog is now closed to further comments.

Comments

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• 31. Gordon McNartsee - Portlethen

  Tuesday, September 25, 2007 21:42

   

• 32. AllanCampbell - Stornoway

  Wednesday, September 26, 2007 10:31

  We want to have a free Scotland as soon as Possible.

• 33. Ally D - Lanarkshire

  Wednesday, September 26, 2007 11:37

  Surely we are due a referendum now! We voted for it ... what I want to know is that if all those against independence are so secure in their position - why dont they trust the people to make the right choice?
  Not wholly convinced myself yet of need for full independence, but I am certainly moving in that direction (partially because the unionist side seems to be shirking the debate).

• 34. Ian MacKinnon - Castle Douglas

  Wednesday, September 26, 2007 12:39

  Have the courage, belief and determination to secure a good future for our people. Only an independent nation acting as a responsible member of ther global community can secure our heritage, self confidence and future prosperity.

• 35. Buckpool Loon - Cheshire

  Wednesday, September 26, 2007 15:26

  I can't see what there is to worry about. An independent Scotland has everything to gain and nothing to lose except the yoke of apathy, the drudgery of exploitation and the clearance of establishment corruption.
  
  Alex Salmond is, perhaps deservedly, a very lucky man. Perhaps the only politician in this benighted isle to lead a party that has a true and meaningfull purpose.
  
  Who knows; given enough support it could lead on to a true democracy? Perhaps that's the reason why the partisans of the other political groups are so negative towards independence?

• 36. Mr G Loudon - FIFE

  Thursday, September 27, 2007 00:26

  I have read a few of these posts and all i can gather from all of this is a lot of bickering typical scottish mentality really however my opinion on the debate is this
  
  we are a proud country,with massive potential if only the public would wake up and vote us independant we would thrive,we could stand out be a scotland that everyone thinks we are,we could have a say a scittish vote in europe get our opinion in all these issues we have to face up to we will more stable and self sufficent than you think ,
  
  take into consideration that most EU conrtyS with our population are thriving ,there are richer per head ,they have better standars of living,do i have to go on.We are held back in the being in the so called uk ,i dont know about the people on this post but im scottish pround of that and would love to bring my family up in a INDEPENDANT SCOTLAND
  
  the future is very exciting brand new start awaits and i just hope and pray that the people of scotland grab hold of this chance and take it,remember our population of scots is getting smaller,more people are moving up from rest of the so called uk, therefore they will at some point be a equal to ourself in terms of voting and do you think they would vote to seperate from there birthplace {no chance}.This chance will never come arond again and this should not even be in debate ,we should be looking forward to not if but when we are independant.
  
  te scottish going independant can get ridicula exspecially when the media get hold of it and so got the english clout putting there weight behind it as they know they would loose billions all in favour of the future of a scotland free to stap it mark on the world again
  
  hope you enjoyed the read and hey don.t be negative be proud support your nation
  
  thanks
  
  Gavin
  
  got my vote and family and freinds vote already
  .

• 37. Mr W loudon - fife

  Thursday, September 27, 2007 00:38

  this blog should be used to put good vibes and positive remarks instead of all the nonsensese.
  
  idependance is the question yes or no
  
  polotics dosn,t matter scotland needs indepence and we would benefit greatly
  
  it a bout time people started supporting this and gettings ll these negative remark n news,papers put out there head scare mongering
  
  come on thee scotland independane here we come

• 38. mr j hill - kelty

  Thursday, September 27, 2007 00:48

  scotland
  
  passionate,caring,stubern,strong mentality,brave,understanding,enthusiastic,bold,culture,history,reputaion,hardworking,friendly,menatl,funny.beutiful
  
  what a future weve got this sums up scots and scotland in a nutshell
  
  viva la independance

• 39. livilion - livingston

  Thursday, September 27, 2007 01:38

   

• 40. Me Again - Fife

  Thursday, September 27, 2007 11:50

  #21 livilion
  
  I thought the whole idea of a conversation was for the people of Scotland to air their views, not solely for the people of Scotland to suscribe to a forum that only supports independence. If that's how you interpret it and assume you have the right to veto any other options perhaps it would be better to close it down and open up an 'Independence Only' website so you can indulge in your own narrow minded invective. While all is not milk and honey in Fife the actions of a broadly Labour led administration (dealing with a Conservative Government for most of the 50 years) has provided a platform which allowed my wife and I and our children to make a living in the Kingdom. We'll see how the new SNP / Lib - Dem admin, in Kirkcaldy, succeed from here on in.
  
  On that point the various cuncils in Fife succeeded to promote and maintain employment in the Kingdom WITH the bridge tolls at Dundee and Edinburgh!! Only the SNP have made the proposal to scrap them, despite their partners in Holyrood ( the Greens), and every other conservationist organisation saying its a wrong move. So come clean, are you FOR or AGAINST the removal of Bridge Tolls? Its make your mind up time.
  
  I didn't want to get personal on any any issue, but since you started it, do we detect a wee bit of jealousy in your comments?

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