The Scottish Government

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 ;)

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

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 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.

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.

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

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.

#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.

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.

# 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!