The Scottish Government

Independence all the way.

A chance to argue for Scots best interests without relying on a Unionist Government to provide the backing.

Will we be in Europe? My guess is that we would. But we will have to Scots respresenting Scotland and they WILL put Scots interests first.

Can you not all see that?

Can you all not see that for once Scots who were raised and breed in Scotland will have a say on how we operate in future.

Down south the voices of the Scots are overwhelmed by the many more voices of the English.

They are not bad people but at the end of the day they have different interests to Scotland and some still think of Scotland as being incapable of looking after herself.

Every country operates best differently and it is up to the Scots to decide how we operate and how we are best to operate in future Independent.

As an ex pat of many years standing, who has never described himself as other than Scottish, and who has every intention of returning, I am getting rather worried that I won't be allowed back in.
The National Conversation is a good idea and, while I know that I am echoing other comments made already, I would like to put my tuppenyworth:
1. Continuing the Union of the Crowns is like having your cake and eating it. There are various historical reasons why there is a Germanic house, settled by civil war, ruling the UK, but is it not time to consider the claims of becoming a Republic? The proposals thus far look just like a Parliamentary democracy, Westminster style, with the same old oligarchy in charge.
2. What will replace the extra money from the Barnett formula? The English won't be paying anything, and good riddance they will say. Will Scottish taxation make up the difference, and could it be borne by the ordinary taxpayer?
3. Incidentally, the English don't hate the Scots, far from it. Their default mode ranges from indifference to a full blown love affair. I do wish there was some reciprocation. The general attitude of anti Englishness, for what Edwards the 1st and 3rd did to us puts Scotland in a very bad light.
4. Big Oil had had its day. North sea Oil is running out, and the proceeds have either been spent or invested in the American economy. How do we get our hands on that? You can see why petrol is so dear, the countries that produce it are making hay before it goes altogether.
5. Norway and Switzerland may be formally outside the EU, but they still pay their whack towards it.
6. I am pretty sure that we would have to renegotiate our membership of the EU, and surely that would have to be part of any referendum on independence too, judging by some of the contents here. We would thus potentially leave both the UK and the EU.
What is Scotland's economic potential as a member of none of the local trading blocs? The multinational screwdriver plants would surely move elsewhere, then what is left?
The southern English economy is heavily weighted to participating in Europe, where would Scotland go?
Incidentally, Scotland leaving the UK would give England the perfect opportunity to also withdraw from the EU, should that really be the plan.

Independence is inevitable, the road having been opened and the brakes removed by devolution. Additional powers for the Scottish Executive will merely slow the journey down. It is not a question of argument but one of political inevitability - the question will come up every time there are economic difficulties or some decision of the UK government has an unwelcome effect on the people of Scotland. One day the referendum will be held at the "right" moment and the independence vote will come out on top and perhaps it is better for Scotland that this happens sooner rather than later. One point I suppose is that whereas the unionists will always have the option of changing their minds while the status quo is maintained the road to self determination is a one way street.

The complicated and unclear nature of this website mirrors the whole "conversation" process.
If the so called "SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT" really wanted us to have a converation they would have a website that was easier to use.
I am someone born in Scotland,I have lived in Scotland for all my 47 years except while away at university.
I have never been convinced by the case for independence,I voted for devolution in 1979 and against in 1997.
I was right wasn't I ?some of the least talented people on the planet (from all parties) have nice jobs as MSPs.
No need or even demand for independence or more devolution.
People believe the myth of the popular push for devolution and independence but the Constitutional convention could not even fill the tiny Queens Hall in Edinburgh when it met and the so called democracy vigil was a fake,I passed it every day and it was not always manned,in any case half the people there were ex pats,a sick joke.

If it was the case that the majority of people wanted constiutional change then of course I would have to go along with it but I am not convinced the people want much change,the media and political class can of course dictate to the rest of us but it does not mean that most people support their self serving agenda.
If there was independence it would be meaningless in today's modern world,we would be like Ireland,begging for special status from the rest of the UK while going on about being different.

God help us if we become independant. In a world, thats heading increasingly towards a 'global village', we want to separate. What has an independant Scotland got to offer to the world, that will make us so self sufficient? I would submit, that as we are, part of the union, with our own sense of identity and national pride we are in almost the perfect position to compete on a world wide stage. In a global context, and in an independant Scotland, how would we defend ourselves? Who would pay for the armed forces, a new Air Force and a new Navy? Who would pay for the people who work from the central UK government? Who would pay for the scottish equivalent of the NHS? The population of Scotland is just over 5 million, according to the 2001 census. Thats not alot of money to go around generated from taxes, without huge rises to generate revenue. Within the UK all 4 nations have a sense of individuality and sense of uniqueness that removes the need for us to become independant, whilst reaping the rewards of being part of the Union.

When you say sovereignty of scotland and self determination, Scottish people are also British people, therefore they have a say in British politics, self determined :)

After reading these and other comments I have come to the conclusion... this whole project is a waste of time.

Has anyone seen a full cost analysis? I don't mean these people coming on the TV saying "Scotland will make a profit" I mean a FULL break down.

Unemployment benefits, Disability living allowance, New Passports, DVLA, Pensions, Defence, public sector wages/pensions, Boarder control, Immigration, Foreign embassies, Social Schemes, road maintain, NHS, brain drain, etc etc etc.

The thing is...you will not be shown it either, if it does come to a referendum you will be shown images of the Scottish hills, moving music in the background, a verse from Burns....fade to black with yellow script "it's time for Scotland to be great again"

Why? because of statements like FREEDOM!!!
I mean can you change the mind of a person brought up all their live to believe Scotland was a great country and will be again if it were not for the English, Welsh, Northern Irish or who ever is to blame this week? Is it possible to convince said person that Scotland was a second rate country and most likely will be again. I don't believe so, as the majority of people want to keep the Union what is the real reason for this project? to keep peoples attention away for their lack of policies on the big issues perhaps??

One thing continues to puzzle me! It appears that every unionist party politician is prepared to give his/her life's blood in support of the struggles for independence by people in every part of the world, oppressed or not, and will vehemently declare their right to "self -determination" as an obvious entitlement, and yet they are all, apparently without exception, utterly opposed to even permitting the people of Scotland to express an opinion on THEIR future! It seems that they are not as confident about the outcome of a referendum as they pretend! Anyway, it will be interesting to see where this next phase of the Conversation leads us.

Independence is the right of every nation on earth.Get used to it people Scotland is gong to be free.If that offends you then tough because Sovereinity lies with the people and their will be that the nation is free to decide its future.Unionist policy is the past it did not work then or recently and Labour went deaf and dumb to housing demands etc so let all here just go for freedom.You will love it>

Nicol J. Craig i think your coming from an angle which i think is the best approach to the current political climate. Giving Scotland and the other home nations the power to make them the best they can possibly make themselves will not only lead to a better Union, but a better country individually