The Scottish Government

National Conversation with Scotland's Institutions

Wednesday, March 26, 2008

As First Minister of Scotland, it is my responsibility to lead discussion and debate on how we can build a more successful Scotland.

This Government believes that independence for Scotland - where we are equal partners with the other nations of these islands - offers the best prospects for growing prosperity in our nation.

I have already said as First Minister that I am happy to test support for enhanced devolution in a referendum, along with Independence.

And I say to those who oppose the restoration of Scottish independence that just as I respect absolutely their right to hold that view, so in return I feel able to require of them a clear alternative which can be put on a ballot paper and held up to public scrutiny.

I say that not as a nationalist, but as a democrat.

The people are sovereign. The Scottish Parliament is their Parliament. The right to choose the future for this country, is their right.

This second phase of the National Conversation is focused on extensive engagement with Scotland's civic institutions who have developed and preserved our society for over 300 years. We have the chance to shape the future of the nation - and it is important that civic Scotland plays a central role.

On a simple level, the institutions - charities, churches, universities, business and the unions - are the main voice of Scottish society. Their members help to shape the opinions that impact across the wider public.

Institutions act as an important interlocutor between the government and the citizen. In a fundamental sense they are Scottish society - and have been so for many centuries.

This is a debate where Scotland's civic institutions can and must play a vital role - in defining the choices and the challenge that we face as a society.

We must take full responsibility for shaping our own future - the future of Scotland. So consider the aspects of Scottish life which could be made better. Be confident in asserting your vision.

To our churches and our faith groups I say, if you care passionately about a humanitarian global role for Scotland, if you care strongly about increasing foreign aid, if you object deeply to the presence of nuclear weapons - then tell us, and tell the people of Scotland.

To our voluntary organisations I say, if you are paying the cost of lottery funding being diverted to London - then speak out. Tell us the progress you wish to see.

And our universities and colleges, seeking more funding but constrained by Scotland's funding structure. The same fiscal straitjacket which constrains Scotland's government - and which constrains our choices as a society.

And our business organisations who want to enhance the competitive advantage of the Scottish economy and recognise that is the root to prosperity, then we should consider the new wealth - the new resources - that Scotland could generate with greater control of our own economy.

To our trade unions, we have to consider what social partnerships are required to create not just a rich country but a rich society.

As we have seen throughout our history, often the biggest steps forward, the most significant progress requires the greatest courage and indeed, often, some plain speaking.

The Scottish Government wants to hear from you about your priorities and ambitions.

• Watch a video of the FM's statement
• Read the full text of the FM's statement

This blog is now closed to further comments.

Comments

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• 41. Stephen Ferguson - Girvan

  Sunday, March 30, 2008 19:05

  Independence cant come soon enough. Labour has been in power at Westminster for 10+ years and we have been patronised in Scotland by Labour at Holyrood doing as London wants and expects. Now its different and Brown doesn't like it. They tried to stop the abolition of council tax but threatening to withdraw £400 million of funding. See what I mean! They let us play around with things if they agree with them. If not, we get threats from a SCOTTISH chancellor and prime minister. Who was it that said "sic a parcel o rogues in a nation"

• 42. CALUM TURNBULL - AIRDRIE

  Sunday, March 30, 2008 21:21

  Did we not just have a vote on independence at the last election?I thought we did Three parties were for the union one for independence.If you count the votes for the unnionist parties I think you`ll find more voted for them than the S.N.P. Surley that tells us the will of the people.So can we get over it and make Scotland within Britain better.

• 43. Paul Mahon - Western Isles

  Sunday, March 30, 2008 21:26

  Of the constitutional fudge which has been coming out of the unionist parties recently there is a couple of striking aspects to which the Scottish Government should develop a response. The talk of giving Scotland more fiscal powers (excluding oil revenues, naturally), talk which has also been parroted by many in the press, seems to suggest that the Scottish people should be entirely at ease with other reserved matters, most particularly with the brits’ foreign policy and defence policy. So the question which arises is this: How can the Scottish Government advance the cause of independence by beginning the process of distinguishing Scotland and the Scots from the brits foreign and defence policies on the world stage and in the minds of the people? Well, one idea which I have been pondering is the creation of a Scottish Peace Corps. Let our young people go out into the world to build schools and hospitals rather than blow them up. Let our country be known on every continent as the liberator which cooperates and develops rather than as part of the oppressor which invades and occupies. The Scottish Peace Corps could recruit young volunteers from the very schools where once the foreign terrorist organization that is the MOD once indoctrinated Scots to become the expendable tools of imperialist hatred. Incidentally, the brit military should have been permanently banned from going anywhere near Scottish schools long ago. The Scottish Peace Corps could actually provide those skills to its recruits that the brits have used as bait for years to entice young Scots to their pointless death. In providing such skills, the Scottish Government’s acceptance of Labour’s muddled amendment to the budget (a commitment that apprenticeships would be made available) will have been achieved. Also, the Scottish Peace Corps may be achievable without large-scale investment of the limited financial resources of the Scottish Government, as it would have access to donations from the private and charitable sectors, as well as a share the resources already set aside for international development. As my own contribution to the national conversation, I suggest such an agency as a means to take the debate forward and to strengthen support for full independence.
  Slainte, Paul.
  

• 44. Gordon - Fife

  Sunday, March 30, 2008 23:09

  A short note for interested parties.
  
  All a bit of a big bore now, `Joe Public` is quite frankly sick and tired of this grinding yawn.
  
  Scottish polititians need to stop this nonesence and get on with the job and stop puting us all to sleep...pleazzzzzzzzzzzzzzze.

• 45. JIM - Derby

  Sunday, March 30, 2008 23:15

  on the voting issue, if it comes to that who gets to vote?. People living in Scotland,? people born in scotland, or those with Scottish parents, although living in derby born in Glasgow i still like may others still feel i have a say on what happens to my country, but will i get a vote?. i am sure there are many ex pats who would like to know the answer to this question

• 46. Charles Barry - Manchester

  Monday, March 31, 2008 05:53

  I welcome this call by the Scots for a referendum on independence. It will show the English Parliament that the people are versed enough to decide their future and when they are pressured to become part of the EU and having to accept the dodgy EU(Lisbon Treaty)they will hopefully be respected enough by their politician to be able to have a meaningful say.Unlike South of the Border where a promise is just a myth. Also this agrument about national wealth coming from either side of the border will be settled(oil revenues etc). Then, of course the Scots, if they decide to become independent will have no need of funding of any kind from South of the Border so the weight of that responsibility can be lifted from the shoulders of the British tax payer. We can also see the end of Scottish MPs having a say in British affairs, indeed they should only attend Parliament in Westminster when invited, having no say in proceedings and no vote. That will say a few millions to start with.

• 47. steven - inverness

  Monday, March 31, 2008 13:20

  I am really tired of the assumption that only SNP supporters support independence. I and some others I know personally, who favour right of centre policies in respect of the economy, home affairs and fiscal matters etc, vote Conservative in general elections, but also strongly favour an independent Scotland. Clearly there is a contradiction in this position but the explanation is also clear. I would not vote for the SNP for a whole host of reasons, I would however vote for independence given a referendum, and thereafter work for conservative governance within Scotland. It is disappointing indeed that the political parties other than the SNP wish to deny me the democratic right to vote on such a crucial single issue. How else will my view and that of others count in this debate if the only measure in favour of independence is a vote for the SNP.
  
  As a final thought, I believe that independence will only come when the people of Scotland realise that the political landscape post separation from the UK can and will change from its present image. Who knows in what ways it might evolve, but there is no need to assume that it would necessarily follow traditional UK lines
  

• 48. Bill McKnight - Fife

  Monday, March 31, 2008 13:30

  I can see no point whatsoever in voting to take Scotland out of the UK, unless we also come out of the EEC. I think if we are going to have an independant country , then that is exactly what it should be. To remain in the EEC, where all the laws are decided, makes no sense if we are to leave the UK.
  There are to many levels of government that require paying from the public purse and with every change there are even greater numbers looking for what little money there is.
  In the interests of the people of Scotland, send all the MSP,s home and turn the Scottish Parliament into a tourist attraction.

• 49. Lindsay - Edinburgh

  Monday, March 31, 2008 13:31

  I'm deeply troubled by the fact that so many are falling for a man who is meant to be representing us as Scots but is in fact pushing through an agenda he has craved for all of his political career. The REAL issues that are affecting our country are left at the wayside as we bicker over 'our national conversation'. Issues such as poverty, health care, the environment and schooling cannot be represented in parliament when we argue over extra powers and nationalistic media campaigns. I'm so proud to be a Scot but the idea that Scotland should be 'free' puzzles me as we as a country define who we are by our actions. I am finishing my fourth year at Edinburgh University and i feel that i have worked hard to be part of the future of Scotland. But the future of the country i love is darkening for me and at 22 that is a worrying fact.

• 50. Robert Bell - Glasgow

  Monday, March 31, 2008 14:04

  Roll on the vote. We are continually being told about opinion polls etc and i havent and dont know anyone who has been asked about this. I for one am happy to have a government that isnt just a lapdog for Westminster and at least tries to argue for the people of Scotland. Good Luck Robert Bell

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