The Scottish Government

The refusal of the opposition parties to fully participate in the SNP's national conversation about the future of the Scottish nation means they deny the people of Scotland the right to have their say. They forget that it is their democratic duty to represent the views of ALL of Scotland's people, whatever those views may be. The real power lies within the people, not in party politics and we should support any initiatives which encourage ordinary Scots to take an active role in governing their country.
Like many others, I believe that Scotland can open the door to a proud future and that its people hold the key.

I would support the proposition of a referendum to allow those living in Scotland to make their voices heard on the subject. I am not for independance but support a more federal model for the government of the United Kingdom. The continued debate on independance or not, in some ways, deflects us from the major task of improving our economy so that we can maximise the well being of our citizens.

alan & paul all we need do to get a response from wewstminster is turn off the flow valve from our protected territorial waters on the pipe to anglia and watch the money they make from it dry up like the flow from the pipe.The pressure from with in would prove to much for westminster to resist the calls for discussion.

it`s really quite simple to stimulate an economy, cut business rates and taxes to those of our similar sized european countries who have proven the profile works dramaticaly in a few years.considering they have never had the strong economic tools that westminster waste,we will achieve the domestic growth and the economic and social returns would be remarkable.
it`s not rocket sience, just common sense.
Believe me "veritas vos liberabit,"

Maggie's Poll Tax, Entrenched Labour votes, squandering of oil revenues etc etc etc. Its all rubbish, its all in the past, lets concentrate on the future, be a people that looks forward not back.
Despite my very English sounding given name I am a Scot and proud of it but I have to say I am not for independance. The reason why, not one person or political party has yet convinced me of the economic viability of Scotland as an idependant nation.
At the end of the day that is what it all comes down to, the rest is just flag waving. Can we as a nation support ourselves without relying on handouts from Europe, or where ever, which is just another form of dependance.
Those that support independance have to convince people like me that it is worth the risk. Will I be able to have a job and support my family. This is what people vote for at the end of the day, not some vague notion of socio-political claptrap, but pennies in pocket.
So lets have some clear economic plan for the future of Scotland as an independant nation from those that advocate seperation and then you may be able to convince those like me who like the idea of independance as a concept but are afraid of the reality.
As for a referendum I agree with Dave (10) in that the majority of people want a referendum no matter how they would vote. Party politics has nothing to do with this, or at least it shouldn't.

Dear oh dear Alan!! If you're only worried about the logistics, I'm certain we can be trusted to work it out! Your scenario is a succession of negatives man! At least try to envisage a positive spin on things - most of the 'problems' are governed by international law and convention. We're no' DOOMED!

I'am all for Independence but how will it work,say the majority of us Scots say yes,what happens next?,dicussions with the Westminster gov. of that time to discuss what we are entitled to ( money,armed forces etc.)an English gov.could drag the discussions on for months and months,stalling for time if no joy then this could go to the E.U.Parliment that could take more time and more stalling,we could be round to the next election,and Westminster gov.hoping there could be a change of gov. in Scotland, and all could be lost.

Susan Mitchell of Toronto, Canada (7) says "I had to pay Maggie Thatchers poll tax" - you did? She never managed to get a single penny out of me.

"let's try it out on the Scots first!!!" - Susan, you say you emigrated in 1989. What I did was to RETURN to Scotland in 1988, quite deliberately, to NOT pay the poll tax, and to help to organise a campaign of mass non-payment.

"We allowed it to happen" - not me, Susan. I was part of the active resistance.

"we get what we deserve because the people won't vote for an independent country" - the people have never had the OPPORTUNITY to vote for an independent country. And don't tell me they can vote SNP, the SNP is a political party, not a single-issue campaign, and it has policies on everything from European Union, to whether Edinburgh should have trams or not, to building better roads (good for motorists in the short term, extremely bad for the planet in the medium term). People might agree with independence and yet not vote SNP because they profoundly disagree with some of the SNP's OTHER policies.

Personally, it was only with the greatest reluctance, after a great deal of heart-searching, that I once brought myself to vote for John Swinney (yes, I am from his constituency) (and John, you are certainly NOT gauranteed to get my vote in the future).

Opinion polls have suggested that around 40 percent of Labour voters back independence, over 30 percent of Liberal Democrat voters back independence, and around 25 percent of Conservative voters back independence. On the other hand, a minority of SNP voters actually want a Scottish government with Alex Salmond as First Minister, yet would stop short of actual independence. But neither opinion polls nor the results of party-political elections are enough. There is really only ONE way to establish the will of the people of Scotland regarding independence, and that is through a referendum.

Forget "Vote SNP". Forget party politics. Opinion polls have suggested that a huge majority of Scots want a referendum on independence, REGARDLESS of how they would actually vote in that referendum. On _this_ question, since the majority is so huge, I think the opinion polls can be trusted. We, the people, want a referendum, and we want it NOW.

In the future we will look back and wonder what all the fuss and shrill warnings was all about. Independence is the natural state for Scotland. It would give us the chance to flourish economically and culturally. It is the best way to address the problems in society.

PLEASE, can someone restyle this website from Scottish Executive to Scottish GOVERNMENT. And for those who say it's only syntax (along with "who cares what flag flies in Scotland".
It is what these words/flags represent that is important!!!