The Scottish Government

The leader of the Labour Group in Holyrood, Wendy Alexander, outlined her vision for Scotland to an audience at Edinburgh University on St Andrew's day. For a senior politician and one who aspires to the highest political office in the land the speech, besides being short on specifics; it was likewise short on ambition.

Her comment that, to quote '...the Union needs to be a comfortable home for all its members', begs the question. Is this possible given the democratic deficit which now exists between Holyrood and Westminster?

On the one hand Holyrood with its fixed term parliaments and proportional representation has a certain democratic legitimacy that the Westminster model lacks, with its variable (at the discretion of the stting PM) parliaments and winner takes all voting system. Add to that the seemingly insoluble 'west lothian question' and one is left to ponder whether the 'comfortable home' Ms Alexander hopes for can ever come about.

But if the growing public embarrassment at the archaic procedures and dubious goings on attributed to Westminster initiates reform of that institution, the pace and the nature of any reforms will be for the English and their elected representatives to decide. As Ms Alexander intimates in her speech 'It is not for me, as the leader of Scottish Labour, to suggest changes there..' unquote. Unfortunately, in the meantime and much to the chagrin of a growing number domiciled on this side of the border, Scotland will continue to be subject to the will of Westminster. Whether we like it or not.

In the circumstances it can hardly be surprising that the sought after sense of equality and mutual respect between Westminster and Holyrood is proving to be so elusive. Holyrood under the present arrangement has little influence over the formulation of UK foreign policy and thus the means to articulate, in the words of Ms Alexander '...our[Scotland's] view of the world'.

The fact is the political landscape of Scotland has changed irrevocably. The genie is out of the bottle and Ms Alexander's conjuring up of the so called expert led 'Independent Scottish Constitutional Commission' to review devolution will not put it back. For the reasons outlined by her in her speesch. 'The Scots are a recognisable nation with her own culture, legal system and own view of the world' unquote.

Ellis Sims of Gosport (402) writes “Ive read that support for independence has GONE DOWN”.

Well, like the song says, Ellis, just because you read it somewhere, “It ain’t necessarily so”. You have to remember that the vast majority of the media are heavily biased AGAINST independence, and the way they “report” things reflects this heavy bias.

Ellis also says “It would seem that the majority of Scottish citizens wish to see more control over Scotland WITHIN the United Kingdom. Not outright Independence”.

As pointed out, the media is far from unbiased. And opinion polls can depend on the exact wording of the question asked, and also on exactly how the “sample” of the population was chosen by the interviewers. But it is true that the vast majority of people in Scotland do want the people of Scotland to have more control over their own destiny. Since ALL political parties are in now in agreement that the Scottish Parliament ought to have more powers, that is going to happen anyway. The only question which remains to be settled is whether that more powerful parliament will be fully independent or not. And there is really only one way to settle, one way or the other, whether a majority of the population of Scotland wants independence or not, and that is through a referendum.

REFERENDUM NOW - INDEPENDENCE - YES OR NO

The only reason the gave us a chance to go independent because they never in there wildest dreams thought it would happen. The only way we could go completely or as near as indepedent is if we can afford to make all our produce
in every field industry ect.cheap enough for the scottish nation to buy all scottish products not only for us but for export as well in this way we could be self sufficient. i know we could not compete whith every single item but i would say at least 75% we could.
c solomon

Yes well Rob, Britain is a country located on the British isles, which are off the north-western coast of Europe. Britain the Country is the collection of 4 Constituant Countries to make a bigger country in the whole.

Ive read that support for independence has GONE DOWN. Yet support for extended Devolution has GONE UP. It would seem that the majority of Scottish citizens wish to see more control over Scotland WITHIN the United Kingdom. Not outright Independence.

Ta ;)

" But if he has said, as it seems he has, that there are many Scottish celebrations around the world today then he is correct. There are more Burns societies abroud than there is here. In countires like Canada, Australia and New Zealand things like St. Andrews day are celebrated by people interested in their Scottish roots. There is also the Tartan Day celebration in New York".


Craig can you tell us why we do not celebrate here? we have the lowest bank/public holidays in Europe.
Perhaps when we become Independant then we can adress this small problem and enjoy more free time, no?

#398 Kostas Greece

I have been free for over 60 years, so what's new?

If I compare my freedoms to yours I think I am better off than you've ever been.

Seperating from the UK and joining Europe will not add to my freedoms, more likely diminish them.

RAD-KL

I have no wish to become involved in your debate with Alan Thompson and to be honest I don't know what it is about.

But if he has said, as it seems he has, that there are many Scottish celebrations around the world today then he is correct. There are more Burns societies abroud than there is here. In countires like Canada, Australia and New Zealand things like St. Andrews day are celebrated by people interested in their Scottish roots. There is also the Tartan Day celebration in New York...you know the annual celebration where our First Minister's don their kilts, hop across the pod and act as if Americans know who they are.

This is all I am going to say on the matter.

Cheers

I passed my afternoon reading your posted messages to this site and I must say that among you there are people whose first problem-consern is the economy of the independent Scotland after aborting mother England.In my country we say that it's better one hour of freedom and independence than a whole life under slavery and prison.The whole gold of the world is not worth enough to take away my freedom...If you really seek for independence, forget any cost.!!

Have those seeking Scotland's independence considered where from the short-term working capital until Scotland's economy can sustain itself will come? Pray tell - and don't say from the taxpayer!

Many people say an independent Scotland would be poorer but this simply isn't true. We have vast energy reserves in tidal and wave power that aren't used. A massive scottish investment in these energy sources could put us ahead. By purchasing enough tidal, hydro-electric, nuclear, and wind Stations we could create an energy surplus. Energy not being used could be sold onto other countries. The value of this energy would increase as conventional fuels began to run out in neighbouring countries.

People also say Scotland might not have a strong army. This is also wrong an adoption of the swiss military model of conscription and an adoption of neutrality should be enough to protect Scotland. Our Navy could be one of the best. Scotland has been building ships for centuries. We could buy some good multi role planes for our air force to protect our skies.

An independent Scotland wouldn't have as much money as we it's true but then there are less people to split the money for.

A independent Scotland could adopt Direct Democracy and become truly a nation ruled by the people.