The Scottish Government

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Which ever way you cut it, Scotlands only hope for a better future is through independence.

I would like a Scottish passport please. I would even subscribe to it doubling as id(reluctantly)to persuade Westminster of the case.I would pay an enhanced charge for the privelege.When can I get one, First Minister? I am not aUK passport holder.

Although I haven't read all 161 blog entries on this string, I've perused enough to compel my humble comment. Like many Americans, I owe a great deal of my ethnic identity, albeit with romanticism, to Scotland. If it wasn't for the clearances, the war of 1812, and the great potato famen there would likely have been little incentive for my ancestors to leave the islands. (Humor) Certainly, others like me, are bending an ear and offering a silent cheer for Scottish nationalism.

The Union has had it's day. Independence is the first step towards making Scotland a better country for us all to live in. A country willing to play it's part in European and world affairs without the military overtones demonstrated by some other countries. A fairer society where the government will look after the young, old, sick and needy. The sooner we the people of Scotland make this happen the better it will be for us all.

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Please stop clouding the issue with reference to other countries. Spare us your 'colonial' references.

This is to do with Scotland in the Union. Do we wnat to stay in or get out.

The overwhelming majority of posts here say yes. But remember this forum is a separatists' haven and, therefore, completely unrepresentative of the views of the Scots public and so doesn't count!

I would like a comprehensive, detailed and politically impartial study into the financial, economic and societal impact of independence for Scotland. 157 "One which could finally answer the tax issues and whether they would go up, how dependent we would really be on oil, could we cope without it, what would our place be in the world and EU - in or out?"
What would you do if it was found that you couldn't cope without oil? Would you declare independence if you could afford it, but otherwise stick with England?
Well you know what you can do don't you!

I should like to congratulate the SNP in bringing a quality of vision and statesmanship to Scotland the like of which I have never seen in my lifetime. I note the opposition parties are still resorting to allegations of sleeze and negitivity, and will not even discuss independence in their committee or whatever it is now called, as they obviously cannot put up a decent case against it. Just shows how bankrupt they really are!

I am a Dundonian and have been a supporter/sometime member of the SNP for many years and was so pleased when Alex Salmond took the chair as first minister. I thought that this was going to be first stage for an independant Scotland. It looks like I was right. For us to gain our independance there are many things which have to be taken into account.
Firstly: What of the monarchy? I am a republican but I recognise that that there are are great many people in Scotland who are staunch monarchists and there veiws will have to taken into account. I think we can get round this sticking point by still having the queen as head of state (as long as she is referred to in Scotland as Elizabeth I). Personally I would prefer that there was no monarchy but I can live with having a queen as head of state. In fact, if we had to have one then I can think of no better candidate as The Princess Royal. At least she sings 'Flower of Scotland' at all our international Rugby matches.
Secondly: There is the problem that will ensue with our armed forces. A sudden break from the Uk armed forces will put our neighbours, England and Wales, at a strategic disadvantage. I want the independence but not at the cost of abandoning our neighbour's military actions around the globe; even though we did not ask to participate in those actions. I would suggest that we should keep our military tied to the Uk military until such a time that we can withdraw, in a phased way, from actions abroad.
Thirdly: The economic ties which we have had with England have been so intrigated with their economy that it will be difficult to withdraw completely, but I am sure we will manage it.
Basically, I am saying that we should part from the Uk as friends and not as a potential economic enemy of England. My child and grandchildren are English, but not Anglo-Saxon, and I wish no animosity to my English friends, of which I have many.
There is also another point of contention that should be sorted out. I don't want independence until the whole of Scotland is independent; that means Berwick. We should bring that with us, if they wish to come along.
The next few years is going to be interesting and I am looking forward to the time when I can say that I am Scots not British.

I believe that the SNP party are a group of racist due to the fact that independance would be the worst thing scotland could do in the long run. The money scotland recieves helps to pay for all sorts of things like health care and education. The SNP party just despise the english. That is the only real reason for them wanting independance. I feel that scotland needs england like endland needs scotalnd. The union is the only way forward.

"I want Scotland to be a leader in international conflict resolution" this qoute from Alex Salmon is rather bizzar because how can we teach other countries that disagreements are wrong, when we are a country trying to fight for independance.