The Scottish Government

SCOTLAND waken up and smell the coffee
independence is the future
the unionists had their chance
and did nowt
housing and fair pay
not Gordons nuclear bombs

204. John Findlay - Glasgow

"Only 31% of Scots want independence. Majority rules. 69% want to remain as we are."

Assuming the statistics you're citing are from the numerous three - option polls giving a choice between independence, "more powers" and the status quo, only a fraction of the 69% who don't appear to favour independence are content with the powers the Scottish Parliament currently has, probably between 10% and 20%, and some of the 69% wish to revert to direct rule from London. The overwhelming majority are in favour of greater powers.

That these increased powers are undefined in my mind undermines these figures. "More powers" could mean just about anything, but what the Unionist parties envisage remains to be seen. Would all those who indicate a preference for more powers be satisfied with what's proposed, or would a percentage of them decide, in the event of a three-option referendum, that whatever arrangement is suggested falls short of their ambitions, and vote for independence?

There have also been polls carried out which give a straight choice between independence and the status quo. These polls have consistently indicated a majority in favour of independence. They aren't usually publicised as much as the three-option polls.

Let's just get on with a referrendum, let the people speak and then go with the decision, whatever it turns out to be.

221. MK - Glasgow
Sunday, November 4, 2007 12:37

Quite!

Britain and Eire within the EU are a good model for how Scotland could work with her nearest neighbours.

We haven't the slightest interest in what the Irish get up to domestically, we cross their border without a thought.

Ihere are no Al Qaeda attacks on Dublin as the former Home Secretary warned, at last year's Labour in Scotland party conference, would befall Scotland if we should choose to take responsibilty for our own affairs.

Families keep in touch and visit as they do everywhere else across the Atlantic Archipelago.

The RAF patrol the skies over the Irish Sea and the North Atlantic with the full agreement and co-operation of Dublin.

So inspite of having shed blood within living memory to retain the Irish as part of the UK, and some strong residual individual anti-Brit animosity, at every level the Irish get along fine with 'Auntie Britannia' across the water.

Perhaps some unionist might enlighten me as to why the Scots should be any different?

The principle of independence is now gaining momentum and the focus now needs to change - the justification for unification has now moved to suggest "how" Scotland would operate within a UK that would require to have common aims for defence, NHS etc. SNP must now set out its intentions for that - use models like Scandinavia or the Baltics or clusters of other EU countries. These examples show independent countries with joint borders (as Scotland would with England) but they are still, and would consider no alternative to, being independent countries. The whole of the UK needs to be educated on how such an arrangement in the UK would operate - we need to completely undermine those who would seek to lie and scare by suggesting border guards and cut off relatives - the other EU countries manage fine - that message needs to be more clearly communicated. It needs to be set out in a manner that even the Sun and the Mail can understand - the overgrown teenager in the parental nest. Now he is moving to his own place - it doesn't mean he wont see his parents any more, they can all visit each other - but you would surely not advocate that he lives his entire life in the spare room?
On a serious note - the Scandinavians and the Baltics have good examples of how they work together on common issues and we need to set out how the same could work in the UK - so that when Wales and Ireland decide that they are ready, the framework is already in place. We need to make clear that we have thought through the whole process and have a structure in mind.

"Scotland the Brave" by Cliff Hanley

Hark when the night is falling
Hear! hear the pipes are calling,
Loudly and proudly calling,
Down thro' the glen.
There where the hills are sleeping,
Now feel the blood a-leaping,
High as the spirits
of the old Highland men.



Chorus
Towering in gallant fame,
Scotland my mountain hame,
High may your proud
standard gloriously wave,
Land of my high endeavour,
Land of the shining rivers,
Land of my heart for ever,
Scotland the brave.



High in the misty Highlands,
Out by the purple islands,
Brave are the hearts that beat
Beneath Scottish skies.
Wild are the winds to meet you,
Staunch are the friends that greet you,
Kind as the love that shines
from fair maidens' eyes.



Chorus



Far off in sunlit places,
Sad are the Scottish faces,
Yearning to feel the kiss
Of sweet Scottish rain.
Where tropic skies are beaming,
Love sets the heart a-dreaming,
Longing and dreaming for the homeland again.



Chorus


Please can we have this as the National Anthem

I am sick and tired of reading the English rant that they are subsidising Scotland and the Scots. If they are so angry and upset about this, then why in the past, have they continually opposed an independant Scottish nation? Maybe it is because of the Scottish oil revenue? And if you want to argue that it is not Scotland's oil or it will eventually run out then go ahead... because we will still have our other national liquid to keep us going.... Is it not the case that on Islay alone (and last time I looked Islay was definately Scottish) there is more tax revenue stored in whiskey vats than the gold reserve in the Bank of England! Scotland is a country of massive natural resources. Scotland's education and legal systems have been the envy of other nations for years, Kenny MacAskill's plans to change the laws on litigation will further enhance our standing on the world legal stage. Scotland has the intellect and the resources to stand alone and be a proud independant nation. All it needs is the public confidence. If the unionists want so much to be a part of England then that is their choice. But it is a choice many Scots don't want forced upon them.

I still can't believe we have an SNP government in Scotland, having spent the last 40 years waiting for it!!
Alex Salmond & his team have done brilliantly so far, but let us not forget the nitty gritty of the budget is still to come. That said, Scotland is, & always has been perfectly capable of governing itself. Now we are no longer shackled to Labour at Westminster, things can only improve

Which self-respecting nation would not want to be in control of its own affairs? So either we are not a nation; or we have long since lost all self respect.

Just go for it!