The Scottish Government

An Independent Scotland

Friday, November 30, 2007

The White Paper says: For Scotland to achieve full independence, the UK Parliament must cease to have competence to legislate for Scotland and the UK Government must cease to have competence in respect of executive action in Scotland. Correspondingly, the Scottish Parliament and Scottish Government would assume the full range of competence, duties and responsibilities accorded to sovereign states under international law.

This blog is now closed to further comment.

Comments

[Latest First] | [Earliest First] Page: [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10] [11] [12] [13] [14] [15] [16] [17] [18] [19] [20] [21] [22] [23] [24] [25] [26] [27] [28] [29] [30] [31] [32] [33] [34] [35] [36] [37] [38] [39] [40] [41] [42] [43] [44] [45] [46] [47] [48] [49] [50] [51] [52] [53] [54] [55] [56] [57] [58] [59] [60] [61] [62] [63] [64] [65] [66] [67] [68] [69]

• 501. SG - East Lothian

  Monday, March 17, 2008 14:09

  [#499] It is sad to reflect on the fact that some are so insecure in their own opinions that they can become overtly antagonistic towards people whose opinions differ on the subject of ‘An Independent Scotland’. Anyone who is sincere in finding a better way forward for Scotland should welcome the fact that there are many outside of Scotland who wish to contribute to this ‘conversation’, and most reasonable people would agree that the broader spectrum of sensible opinion that is expressed, whether for or against independence and from wherever the source is located, the more likely it is that a constructive way forward will be found that meets the aspirations of most of Scotland’s current and future inhabitants. Of course, those that cannot conceive that there may be valid perspectives on progressing Scotland’s potential, other than their own, may struggle with this concept, but if that is the case then perhaps they should spend time thinking more deeply about their own opinions, and the logical consequences for future generations, rather than discourage others from expressing their thoughts and ideas.

• 502. PMK - Ayrshire

  Monday, March 17, 2008 20:55

  #499 - Is there any reason other than you appear to agree with the regular contributors from down south (Ellis Sims, Mike King etc ...) that you didn't shout them down too? It seems to me, that if you accept some (pro-union) posting from outside of Scotland you must also welcome pro-independence posting from outside. If you think our American friend Mr Forrester (#497)is "interfering in the internal politics of Scotland", surely those posting from elsewhere in the UK are doing exactly the same?
  
  Just to clarify my own position, I personally think all should be welcome to debate here. However, I believe that posts from those living in Scotland are likely to carry more weight, as a rule.

• 503. Indian but Scottish! - Cumbernauld

  Tuesday, March 18, 2008 15:54

  I can see the independence Vs unionist debate has been hammered to death and is repeating itself. On a slighlty different note then, what are your views concerning the SNP administration. I will confess I was vehemently opposed to them and voted Labour but I will also confess that I have a lot of respect for their performance to date in a minority position. In my humble opinion, they have quickly gone from loony nationalists to a credible government. And so, they have added greater credibilty to an independence proposal.

• 504. trevor swistchew - edinburgh

  Tuesday, March 18, 2008 17:37

  It is a fact that this site is for all who want to express their view on Scotland and its future.
  I personally welcome all who visit even if I do not agree with their view.
  I want to live in Scotland Independent and inspiring the world which Scotlands folk have done for hundreds of years. When people from other nations visit the site all here ought to thank them for taking the time to let this National Conversation know what they think.
  It is helpful to see that many others who live outwith Scotland are positive in their aid for the nation.
  It is a point of honesty that Alex Salmond has said that Sovereighity rests with the folk in Scotland therefore any person who is opposed to Independence ought to know that it is the will of the people that will prevail.
  It is great that Scotland now has a leader who trusts people rather than following his own pride.

• 505. Neil Anderson - Glasgow

  Thursday, March 20, 2008 11:28

  It's interesting to me why the there is such a divide where people support the notion of Scotland being fully independent as a nation governing itself and others in contrast want more powers devolved to Scotland but want to remain in the union. Where I live in Glasgow most people are opposed to Scottish independence yet in more rural areas of Scotland such as the Highlands and even the capital city Edinburgh there is more stronger support for independence. Why is this the case that the majority of people living in Scotland's largest city do not want independence where a larger percentage of the populations in other major Scottish cities do want it. There is a wide range of evidence supporting this view for the reason that in the May 2007 scottish parliamentary elections only one SNP candidate won a parliamentary seat that being Nicola Studgeon as well as SNP gaining a significant minority of council seats. In contrast Labour is the biggest political party in Glasgow. But why is this the case is it that although Glasgow is strategically important to Scotland that many regarded as a major British city where it is ahead of other larger cities such as Birmingham, Leeds and Manchester. How can Scotland become independent if around two thirds don't support the cause?
  Personally I am not oppossed to independence but I believe that Scotland's not ready for full independence instead I want more devolved powers given to Scotland but I also want more powers given to the city of Glasgow because without the city's existence Scotland would not be the same.

• 506. Letter from America? - Fife

  Saturday, March 22, 2008 11:51

  #502 and #503
  
  I am aware that when Daily Telgraph readers contacted American voters to urge them to vote against Bush at the last presidential elections in that country they were quickly given the heave. Perfectly justified on the part of the Americans, none of our business who gets elected in the USA.
  
  Mr Forrester claimed to speak for 24 million Americans in supporting Scottish Independence, a position I find hard to swallow. This forum is apparently for a Conversation with the Scottish people not for those people round the world who have no detailed knowledge of the financial systems needed to provide our social infrastructures.
  
  My comments relate to issues on the ground and are not based on 'pie in the sky' beliefs of persons who do not live here. I do not not read all the postings but I would say the same to postings from England, Ireland, Wales .....

• 507. Mike King - Birmingham

  Saturday, March 22, 2008 18:57

  503. PMK - Ayrshire
  
  RE: If you think our American friend Mr Forrester (#497)is "interfering in the internal politics of Scotland", surely those posting from elsewhere in the UK are doing exactly the same?
  
  As one of those posting from "elsewhere", despite suggestions from some nationalists on this board that I shouldn't, I feel I must respond to your comment by pointing out that as someone born & currently living in the UK I am more effected by the movement for Scottish independence than people not from or living in the UK.
  
  Your own posting indirectly acknowledges this point by your comment “elsewhere in the UK” - this cannot be applied to 497. J.W. Forrester - United States.
  
  For the record, I have no problem with him/her commenting but its clearly factually incorrect to think he’s as effected as me.
  
  Those nationalists on this board who’ve objected to the UK involving itself in Iraq presumably DO have a problem with American’s involving themselves with the UK’s affairs.
  
  I look forward to them supporting the comments from 499. Not Another one - Fife!!
  
  

• 508. Hamish Scott - Scotland

  Sunday, March 23, 2008 17:15

  Not only would independence be good for Scotland, it would also be good for Anglo-Scottish relations by removing the source ofconflicts in terms of finance and democratic deficits amonst other things.

• 509. Scotland Forever - Nothing new - Fife

  Sunday, March 23, 2008 21:16

  #505 Trevor Switschew
  
  Why is it that people say that Scotland NOW has a new found enthusiasm and confidence in itself now that we have a MINORITY nationalist government? If you need a posturing buffoon like our current First Minister to broadcast our pride in country and nationhood there is something wrong with you!
  
  I have NEVER had any problem with anyone in ANY country in the world in promoting our country or its distinctive difference from England, Wales or Ireland (North or South).
  
  I was born and raised in Glasgow with a 'guid Scots tongue in ma heid' so was able to travel where I wanted and get by with the help of the local population to obtain the services it needed. All that was required was an appreciation of their customs and traditions. If I respected their's they respected mine. That is why SCOTLAND is already established as an definitive entity in the world.
  
  SNP will not improve our standing anywhere, the work has already been done. If all we can do is look for points of dispute then we are in trouble!!
  
  Why don't they just get on with the job of governing and demonstrate how much better they can do the job! It says little for the current administration that they have to go back 15? years when the Conservatives ran the UK to find figures worse than their control of the prison population in the 9 MONTHS they have had in power.
  
  Cut the slogans and buying up votes in marginal constituencies and govern for the electorate.

• 510. mt -

  Tuesday, March 25, 2008 07:48

  I like the way the Scottish Government is bringing this out into the open. Everyone on line has the opportunity to converse. I will listen and learn more before giving an opinion

[Latest First] | [Earliest First] Page: [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10] [11] [12] [13] [14] [15] [16] [17] [18] [19] [20] [21] [22] [23] [24] [25] [26] [27] [28] [29] [30] [31] [32] [33] [34] [35] [36] [37] [38] [39] [40] [41] [42] [43] [44] [45] [46] [47] [48] [49] [50] [51] [52] [53] [54] [55] [56] [57] [58] [59] [60] [61] [62] [63] [64] [65] [66] [67] [68] [69]