The Scottish Government

I really consider the issue of so-called "independence" for a nation the size of Scotland an unnecessary distraction in terms of our actual aspirations for our citizens in this increasingly shrinking world. We know that large multinational companies more than governments these days can influence global events so the idea of making us an even smaller fish in this pond is nonsense. It might provide some self satisfaction for a number of our more narrow minded politicians and their supporters but in terms of improving our economy and the social fabric of our society I think its all smoke and mirrors in an effort to kid us on we are somehow going to be better off apart from the current UK structures. The SNP has no great vision of our nation apart from so-called "independence" and the recent lack of investment in University funding allied to cut backs in our research institutes at a time when we both in Scotland and the UK will have to rely much more in technological innovation just underlines this lack of vision. Devolved authority on delivering local services is fair enough but the rest of the package on offer just doesn't appeal I'm afraid. If we did go down this route then even more of our top brains would join the road south I predict leaving us no more than a playground for the rich to hunt, fish, and play golf now and again. A low wage service industry is what we will become if investment in real innovstion isn't forthcoming.

#407

If we are no longer willing to support parties that don't support independence why did 60% plus vote for Labour last week in the by - election.

Could it be because Fife has gone from the cheapest care provider in the country to the most expensive, under SNP / Lib - Dem admin? And the SNP councillor who stood on a mandate (local) to fight against a housing project in the ward, voted FOR it at the planning committee stage, so that it passed 31 for , 29 against. Not only that but then declared, after the meeting, he would continue the good fight! No word from the FM to intervene on behalf of the residents, like he did in Aberdeen, Aviemore and Lewis.

Or could it have been that a 5 - figure contribution to SNP funds will guarentee an audience with the same personage? Money for favours?

Looks like sleaze, like beauty, is in the eye of the beholder.

once upon a time in a land far north of london a minority government put forward the notion that their nation could run its own affairs.it had been run from the south for centuries and the new government were convinced that need not be so.however many people in that land used to being given their instructions from the south thought it would not work.it didnt matter to them that their nation had educated people,high levels of literacy and natural resources,many dug their heels in and refused to look at what the minority government had said about how the previous governments had failed to prosper the people in the north.not only that but they refused to accept that working people had gotten a poor deal through the unity so loved by those who thought that nothing else would work.in 2008 scotland has to develop compassion in its politics seeing that the equality talked about by unionist politicians is at this time mere myth.people are not equal or if they are then some are more equal than others.many working people prosper by their own effort,that is to their credit,but there are in place systems which keep poverty alive,one of those is the pension system which is not linked to inflation.another is the failure of employers to pay workers enough to meet the cost of living.how MANY PEOPLE ARE FORCED TO GIVE UP THE EFFORT TO BUY A HOME OR EVEN RENT A HOME BECAUSE OF HUGE DEMAND.
people.look around you .scotland can do better and must if it is to prove for sure that independence is the fairer way.
i believe that independence is the future.
i am not a member of the snp
but i say ;less than a year is not enough to oppose their effort.
let this nation flourish.

Pardon the constitutional pedantry, but just how does 'international law' define a 'sovereign state'? Given that we are globally recognisable as 'a people', a unit of legal personality in law, then we should be enjoying self-determination already, and anyone denying that right from outside our ancient boundaries commits an imperialistic offence. Anyone denying our right to be self-determining from inside our borders, such as Ukanian Anglo-centrics, acts treasonously and against the interests and rights of the sovereign people. The SNP and many of its supporters do the people a disservice when insisting that self-determination means independence, much as nationists may advocate that as best in the end. At the moment the vision of independence is badly presented, perhaps because that political party is short of real political visionaries, and independence is a bit of a pig in a poke to a large number of potential sympathisers. It has to be remembered that the people of Scotland are like released prisoners at the moment and rubbing their eyes after 300 years in the dark of a Hanoverian bottle dungeon. Initially it must be explained that they have the right of self-determination. We must not spoil that moment of constitutional realisation by immediately selling them ill-thought out SNP snake oil. If we are to truly respect the right of the people we must respect that fact that they might want to cling to what they know for a while, just to get their collective breath. The next step is a referendum, but with the right to choose from a range of options, which includes the status quo and, for a change, complete independence, thus properly respecting the right of the people to decide their own destiny.
The term 'state' is queried because so-called 'states', or even 'nations', have no rights as such, only 'peoples' have rights; so what are the precise terms of reference, before we waste time arguing for something we may already have. Does Westminster recognise the present-day Scots as a people? Or does Westminster deny that the Scots are a people? Believe they respect us properly when the Scottish Judges take oths of abjuration and re-align themselves in favour of service to the Scottish people.
Lastly, as we extricate ourselves from under the heel of the Hanoverians and their disgraceful apologists let us remember the true Pretanni, the native Britons to whom the Scots, Picts and Anglish have all been so cruel, but mostly the last who usurp their name in disguised imperialism.
Teach your children well.
Robbie the Pict.

# 397 - Scotland sustains itself now financially, culturally and in terms of power generation ... if only the same could be said of the Labour-run UK Govt.

There must be a referendum on independence to allow people to decide the future of their country - for the very first time!

housing mess all the fault of short sighted unionists they flog council houses then no put money into new houses boo hoo
then they blame the snp
what a lot of crap
the unionist politicians had lot of time in power and did nothing
now they try to hijack the nationalist govt and try too to hoodwink people
it no work
cat oot of bag
long time.

#407

I have lived in Scotland for well over 60 years, and have travelled extensively on the continent for both work and pleasure. I have NEVER felt nor been made to feel inferior because of my nationality, my education or any other factor. My father was a labourer and had to work over 70 hours a week to bring up his family, he was also proud to be a Scot and gave me the same pride of self.

If you opened your eyes perhaps you would see that even with a diminishing population Scotland has continuously punched above its weight in EVERY field and Scots are respected by almost every other nation.

Come to think of it, the only patronising attitudes towards me were from snobbish SCOTS, who thought I had done 'rather well' for a person of my background.

If you have a different opinion then I can only suggest that you get out more.

For the record Scotland took over England and Wales not the other way round. 'The wisest fool in Christendom' decided to make London his home instead of Edinburgh. He and his descendants 'blew' the contract and lost the prize to another family!!

Bonnie Prince Charlie's objective was to take over the throne of ENGLAND, because his advances were rebuffed by the lowland Scots!! The old sectarian argument, again. In fact more Scots fought AGAINST him than with him!!

Stop blaming others on your own inadequacies, and get out there and cast your own shadow.

Kev

Are you suggesting that the reason why so many people don't celebrate Burns night and St. Andrews Day has something to do with the Union? Another London led conspiracy perhaps?

The real reason is that most Scots don't care. They would rather be in the house watching T.V or in the pub getting drunk. I appreciate people who keep these traditions going but when these days come along it certainly doesn't get me excited. Its got more to do with modern society than anything else.

I'm all for more holidays but the prospect of a few more long lye’s wont exactly make me vote SNP.

The people of Scotland have now found a new belief in their country and themselves, after decades of being told that they could never survive without England, they have dared to question their larger neighbour’s motives.

Many Scots in the UK government establishments have been down talking their own people for some time, some may truly believe that poor wee Scotland would fall into economic ruin and third world poverty without Westminster, but I think it’s more likely that they don’t want to loose their cushy numbers.

For years Scottish politics has been run like a private club for those willing to back Westminster’s rule, labour politicians in Scotland have been guaranteed a “good wee number” if they toe the line, some have even gained knighthoods, the time for bowing to London is over.

Politicians in Scotland should be working for Scotland and answerable to Scotland
All opposition parties had better look very hard at their stance regarding Scotland and Scottish Independence, more and more Scots are no longer willing to elect candidates who look towards London for acknowledgment, We voted for you, it is us should be concerned about, if its London’s views and interests you are concerned about, then go fight for a seat there.

All strength to the SNP or any party who truly has Scotland and Scottish Independence as their main goal

Steve Haggerty

For further reading re my latest comments look at:

An independent Scotland #366,269,259,192.

First Minister Alex Salmond #1735,1616,1510.

Finance and sustainable growth sec John Swinney #43,35.

Bruce Crawford Minister of Parliamentary business #64,73.