The Scottish Government

Government Minister Douglas Alexander, in a recent BBC One 'Question Time ' programme argued that the UK contributed only between one and two percent of the total of green gases released into the atmosphere and that any meaningful contribution that the UK could make to reducing greenhouse gases would be by cooperating with other countries. And until then the UK would get on with matters of a more pressing nature.

The facts are:

(1) There is no more pressing issue than the question of the release of gases which are responsible for the global climate over heating.
(2) The UK is responsible for not between one and two percent but between ten and fiftenn percent of greenhiouse gases entering the atmosphere. WHy? Because of the amount of goods that the UK imports from other countries and through the provision or manufacture of goods and services via our overseas investments.
(3) The UK does not have to wait for another country to come forward to join us in combating the causes of global overheating. Sweden, Denmark and other fringe countries of Europe have legislated to reduce their impact with hard targets being set. But the truth is the Westminster government has shown little interest in giving a lead on the matter. Even though we are the second in the national league of consumption. Only the USA consumes more!

Finally the recent statement eminating from Westminster that the Westminster government will actively lobby to reduces the targets already agreed to by EU member states. And we scots are complicit by association.
It is time we did something about it. The Scottish government should makes its position clear. That we in Scotland support the targets already agreed to but also we will support strengthening these targets.
Scotland has the potential to be a major supplier of green energy. The westminster threat if carried through will put the brakes on future investment in this crucial area. It cannot be allowed to succeed.

Independence for Scotland would be terrible for the country. We are much stronger as part of the UK.

As a (half english half welsh) outsider to this debate, I hope you dont mind me joining in! One potential impact of an independant Scotland that you might like to discuss; perhaps The Labour Party don't get elected in England for another 50 years, without the help of Scottish MPs. The Tories (unopposed) revert to type and start cutting taxes. Wouldn't an independent Scotland have to change it's 'big government' / socialist' tendencies to keep taxes competitive? -

Here I am, a Londoner speaking about the future of scotland. I just wanted to offer a perspective of how people feel down south sometimes.

Lots of people have spoken about Scotland being ruled by the English, if anything the evidence would be that it is the other way round. The last two prime ministers were Scottish and were the last two chancellors of the Exchequer. Scottish MPs can vote on things which don't effect their constituents and this has been used to pass controversial legislation in England. Also the government spends more per head on Scottish people than it spends on English people.

The usual response to this is that it is because of oil wealth in the north sea, but why is this Scottish oil, why is it not Shetland oil, or Aberdeen Oil seeing as it is located off the coastline of these areas and these haven't always been part of a unified scotland. Should they get more money spent on them per head?

As a final point do you support the decrease in vetos to the EU in so much as things are not being decided in Westminster collectively but in Brussels collectively.

To prosper, we must break from the shield of Westminster.

Currently, you're paying tax and being given dirty hospitals and Middle Eastern wars among other wasted money.

You could vote Conservative and allow a repeat of Margaret Thatcher's government. You could vote Liberal and get leadership instability. You could vote SSP or Solidarity and have two parties with the same policies lose.

You could vote SNP and have Scotland given back its proud status of independence.

I am proud to Scottish and more than anything I would love to see Scotland gain Independance. We have more resources than England thats why they dont want us to be Independant. Sick of them treating us like second class.
I will always support Mr Alex Salmond. God Bless Scotland and Mr Salmond.

A leap of faith was taken by installing SNP as the governmnet of Scotland in May
So far so good
Ive always supported independance and the impressive way in which SNP have governed can only have enhanced the belief among others that the time is now right to go forward as one country standing on its own feet.
Many believed the SNP were a one policy party but they have proved otherwise
Alex and his ministerial team have avoided the gloating that could have prevailed at this conference and it has been very professional and Alex comes across very statesman like.
THe stats that Scotland could be third wealthiest in Europe, 6th in the world was intresting
Lets take the next leap

Scotland needs freedom and it needs it now

It's about time Scotland got her independence once and for all.

Growing up I have always passionate about Scotland, about what we have the opportunity to be as a nation and the endless prospects for us to prosper independent from the UK. I was told that there would be an SNP Government in my life time and that independence could be a reality. It is my hope that a referendum on the issue of independence will see Scotland become the independent prosperous nation it should be.!!!