The Scottish Government

I can smell the clean Air of INDEPENDENCE from over here. Go for it SCOTLAND!

#100, #101 and other foreign interventionists.

Isn't it amazing how distance fog's the vision and at the same time crystalises the view on independence with a clarity that belies the truth. May I say a big 'NO THANK YOU' to SIR Sean, (is that an ENGLISH title?) and would it go if Scotland achieved independence?, and a double 'NO THANK YOU', 'NO THANK YOU', to our American friend with the big hooter, who can smell independence from over 3,000 miles away. If you want independence for Scotland, come and live here and pay our taxes! For your information your opinion is a minority opinion here by a majority of 2 to 1. We well remember the contribution American dollars made to to maintain the bloodshed in NI, so your intervention in this area is not welcome.

Scotland has a population of 5,000,000 (10% of the English / Welsh) people and has a land mass comprising one third (33%) of the British isles. The reason for this is quite simple, a large percentage of our land mass is uninhabitable making it unsuitable for exploitation in a farming sense. It follows then that a large proportion of our population has to make a living outside our borders, which accounts for the large numbers of foreigners of Scottish descent. While they are welcome to come and visit and research their roots, they should remember that their ancestors, for the most part, left Scotland of their own accord, to make their lives in foreign fields, (including ENGLAND). In fact there are twice as many people living over the border of Scottish descent, than live in Scotland, do we wish to kiss them 'Goobye' also, or do we want them to come home? Good luck and God Bless to all of them. I think we do a lot better at exploiting the the English than they do at exploiting us!!

We are doing quite well without you so kindly but out!!

[108] In spite of your sometimes eloquent words you have still not provided any reasoning to suggest that Scotland's relative decline of recent decades is going to be reversed if we remain in the Union. The current 'marriage', I would respectfully suggest, may suit you personally, but I would also suggest that there are many in Scotland who would wish a brighter future than you are perhaps offering by wishing to remain in an outdated and costly relationship (am not just talking about cost of an additional tier of government but the lack of influence on specifically Scottish issues and the loss of the aspirations of some to pursue career, family and/or business objectives in a country where overall financial control resides elsewhere) that has been superseded by our increasing participation in the EU and the rapidly evolving global economy.

Of course like everyone else you are entitled to your own views, but I hope that these will now extend to enlightening us on what changes you would propose within a continuing Union that will fundamentally change Scotland’s direction and allow us to match, if not exceed, the progress in socio-economic terms of those countries (many with a similar population base to Scotland) that most would agree have advanced significantly over the last twenty to thirty years?

Or, perhaps you believed those politicians who repeatedly declared that we are doing fantastically well in all areas and, overall, already are “the best small country in the world” – if this is the case I would suggest that you take off your sunglasses and either do some more reading of truly independent reports or plan a little more international travel (with the minimum carbon footprint of course)!


[109] It is perhaps not surprising with years of Labour government at all levels in Scotland to see such cynicism expressed in this ‘conversation’, but perhaps what you are in effect saying is that it is indeed ‘time for change’!

PS As someone who has returned to Scotland from living overseas and who is paying UK taxes, my comments posted in #114 also apply to the 'contributor' of 113, although I would drop the use of the word 'eloquent'!

The only logical conclusion for Scotland's future lies in independence. However the process may take some time and further steps involving increased powers for the Scottish Parliament seem the most suitable way to proceed. In that way, the people can become more comfortable with increasing powers. However at the end of the day, I believe that Scots will take the ultimate decision and allow England to regain its independence as well as our own.

Scotland should become Independant because the union of the U.K is unfair and unequal.

If you actually look at the U.K's coat of arms you will clearly see that the Unicorn which is scotlands national animal is chained round the neck and chained to the ground like slave.

Also there is 2 english coat of arms in the U.K coat of arms. Why??? Why doesn't Wales have the dragon in there, they should because they are not the same as England.

The point I'm trying to make is that i know for a fact that the Union is completely unfair to Scots. It has been good for us in the past but now i think its time for Scotland to leave the Union and Join the E.U like Ireland as an Independant State.

I welcome the White Paper on the merits of a referendum on Scottish Independence. I believe that all Parties should be supporting a referendum with multiple questions to allow us to vote against independence but in favour of a devolution settlement with much more powers and fiscal autonomy.
Independence would be a disaster for Scotland. We are too tied to the United Kingdom by financial affairs such as pensions and benefits to ever be able to sustain the same standard of living as an independent nation.
I, however, am proud of the new assertiveness of politicians in advocating Scottish interests and would hope that we would encourage such cross party determination to stress Scotland role in a federal UK. We require many more powers to overcome the anomalies which reserve powers cause, when matters such as transport are dealt by both Holyrood and Westminster. Certain powers could be ceded from Westminster to allow us an opportunities to develop policy within Europe, such as fishing, and greater opportunities to develop projects abroad, such as Malawi.
It is absolutely essential that we develop more protocols for dealing with Westminster and enlarging relations with Wales and Northern Ireland.
I believe that the only fair way to hold a referendum is to offer us a question on whether we wish more powers for our Parliament as well as a question on independence. Let us settle the matter for a generation, to quote Alex Salmond, and hold a multi-question referendum with cross-party support.

The mood in England is changing - their identity is becoming less British, the cross of St George is flown now with pride, the Union flag is losing favour. Indpendence for Scotland on Scottish terms before the English leave us!

As for Wales, I'm happy for them to have their independence too if that is their will.

There has been much discussion about ex patriot Scots having their say but the real issue is to create a Scotland that people want to stay in, working & contributing to an economically successful Scotland.
The reason a Labour Government gave Scotland limited devolution is not from the goodness of their hearts but from the arrogant assumption that they would always govern in Scotland, now the genie of independence is out of the bottle they, and the other unionist parties are, at last, forced to focus on Scotland and not their party political careers. There has been a lot of carping about the SNPs first 100 days in power but Labour are pretty quiet about the their lack of achievements when they held office. If they had been doing a good job we wouldn't be having this debate now.

The point I'm trying to make is that i know for a fact that the Union is completely unfair to Scots. It has been good for us in the past but now i think its time for Scotland to leave the Union and Join the E.U like Ireland as an Independant State. (117. Ross - Edinburgh)

This is the only problem I have about Scotland going independent. We Scots do not need the EU and if we were to join them fully we will lose a hell of alot of Independence! already we require licenses for sporrans that are protected animals or what, thats in direct conflict with OUR! heritage. Alot of things will change, believe me... and what I know is way too much of a debate. Only when it happens you will see the idoitic choice we made if we joined the EU.

In answer to George Steel,missive 113

Hello George

You appear to be really annoyed that heavyweight Scots like Sir Sean have entered the debate. He may be abroad, but he's made a bigger contribution to Scotland than your likely to make in a hundred lifetimes - so show a little respect.

As for your asertion Scots are in favour of the Union 2 to 1, perhaps you can explain why all the oppostion parties are currently meeting to discuss extending the powers of the Scottish parliament - they've all gone mad have they. In fact if you add the votes for the SNP,Liberal,SSP together at the last election there is actually a majority for much increased powers, All the opinion polls support this too.

If you must enter the debate at least do us all the courtesy of getting your facts straight first. You have the right to express your views but I really don't think your inferiority complex extends to the majority of your fellow Scots. The majority now, like Sir Sean, want to take responsibility for their own country again; they want change - whether you like it or not.