The Scottish Government

Im irish born and I think the time is coming for scotland to be independent again. But the snp need to take there time and get full control of the country first then have a vote for independence

strongly support Scotland to have full independent.

661. David Mccallum,

Unfortunately, the situation you describe is exactly "fair democratic representation" because Scotland represents c8.5% of the UK population and England some 83-4% of the UK population and both get represented accordingly (at least in terms of Westminster seats allocated). There is nothing "undemocratic" about this, but it remains (in my view) a huge reason to back independence.

For me, the fundamental question is do you want 8.5% of someone else's say or 100% of your own?

The very figures themselves demonstrate why it must be independence and not some half-way house form such as "devolution max" or federalism. Any federation where one component part represents 83-4% of the whole is useless and remains a dictatorship of the majority. Equally, the (justified) hostility toward the necessary "breaking-up" of England to necessitate workable federalism is obvious. When even the North-East opted against its own talking-shop assembly, the idea of a Federal Britain died.

England will indeed return a Tory Government despite how Scotland votes, a decade ago this was a major argument for a Scottish Parliament – now it is a major reason make that parliament (which most accurately represents the people of Scotland) sovereign.

SMC Edinburgh,
Yes you have the right to comment on your country, we all have!
It's one of the benefits democracy and freedom bring, im glad to see you are making the most of that right because it's one of dam few we've got left.
Im concerned that you dont however seem to think that the rest of the benefits matter! for example getting the govenment you vote for as a nation.
When the English public decide to ellect for us all a new Tory government
and once again it's a case of UK plc dictating to Scotland will you still think it's fair and in your/our best interests.
In case you had'nt noticed the english westminster mp's outnumber our own by huge numbers, more even than some well known dictators would think they could get away with.
How can this possibly be fair democratic representation?

The last question time audience in Scotland was packed with Labour Party members just as surely as the one prior to the May 2007 election was overwhelmingly populated by SNP supporters.

The 35% figure is based on a different question to the previous 45% support of independence. Indeed, the same poll showed 61% support for eventual "independence in Europe" within the respondent's lifetimes.

In response to my previous postings what has the Scottish Parliament or indeed the city of Edinburgh ever done to tackle the serious issues that affect Scotland's largest city? The answer is nothing.

Although I would strongly agree with nationalists that yes the UK government has systematically failed to deal with the socio-economic problems that have affected the city of Glasgow for many decades.

But as I have pointed out both the Westminster and Holyrood governments have been completely ineffective in tackling these issues.

And as a results an independent Scotland would make no difference to improve the lives of people living in Glasgow.

In addition I was watching the Question Time Programme a few weeks ago and I was shocked at the reaction of the audience. When Nicola Sturgeon voiced her support for Scottish independence nobody in the audience applauded? Likewise there were several members of the audience who actually showed strong opposition to the notion of independence with applause from the audience.

The significance of this is that even according to the latest opinion polls the majority of Scots are opposed to independence despite there being a popular SNP administration.

In fact support for Scottish independence has declined from 45% to 35% rather than increased with the vast majority of people wanting more devolved powers like me.

In reference to the city of Glasgow, support for Scottish independence declines even further with the vast majority of Glaswegian's not supporting independence. (Contrary to Chris 656 posting)

So how can Scotland achieve independence when it's largest city does not support it ?

However if there was strong evidence to prove that independence would improve Glasgow or indeed Scotland in anyway then it would receive my full backing and support.

Neil 641
What did the UK lot do to fix the points you outlined?

Independence will come. Devolution cant give Scotland the future people want.Unionist followers know it now you know it too.

Independence is an important issue - and an issue that has not only my backing, but the backing of the majority in Scotland. There is no doubt that under the SNP an independent Scotland would flourish. What makes me angry is that the other three political parties may take not only my voice away - but hundreds of thousands of voices across scotland away. It's the people's choice, so let the people vote.

Speaking of poor health, as of late statistics have revealed that there are now more drug addicts in Scotland than there are Gaelic speakers. This speaks volumes about the dependency culture which we have unwittingly inherited.
On many levels it's so easy to just swallow the junk that gets peddled to us daily. On the other hand, a healthy and confident Scottish culture will lead to a strong Scottish economy - but before that ever happens we need to make the effort to find this out for ourselves as individuals and to make more of that which is priceless and uniquely ours. Independence is about self-esteem.