The Scottish Government

485. PMK
I'm one of those strange people that have read some European Directives, and the corresponding acts of parliament, which have to make allowance for our (Scotland's) separate legal system and parliament. The acts make provision for appropriate ministers of state to make exemptions where there is a social or economic need peculiar to the country. One exemption I'm aware of is the land conservation grant (crofters), if I've got that right.

A benefit for Scotland of being independent is that we would be better able to make our own acts that would correspond to any EU directive, but take into consideration our own needs, rather than as present, the overall needs of the UK, which are often different.

However, our parliament already has some powers of exemption and variance, and it would be interesting to know how many of these have been exercised by previous ministers of state for Scotland - and how many are planned or even considered by present ones!

As for the EU debate being better done after independence is gained I agree fully - however, as the party being the main focus for obtaining independence, I think it would behove the SNP to make very clear that membership and continued membership of the EU will still be open for debate after that independence is gained. And though I'm often against the EU as it presently affects me / us in Scotland, it's possible that with our own distinct and vociferous part in EU negotiations, and sympathetic implementation of national law as required by the EU directives I might become in favour of the EU, as I used to be before it went politically and egotistically beresk!

492. Dave Eastabrook,

I would urge you to distinguish between the leadership of the SNP and the party as a whole. As with most issues there are a range of views. Just because people don’t feel strongly enough to leave over policy toward the EU (in any serious numbers) don’t assume the issue is completely closed within the ranks. As I have previously stated: the leadership’s position is to retain the Queen as head of state whereas I am a republican. There is no necessity for me to leave, rather I prefer to stay and make the case for change.

Indeed, a friend of mine recently carried out a study in to the uniformity (or otherwise) of the SNP. Many of those he interviewed on the subject - including some who are now MSPs - opted for the option of not feeling terribly strongly either way. Some of them certainly chose that answer as they don’t want to oppose the leadership, should the results ever become public knowledge. Prof. James Mitchell and others are now carrying out a far more definitive survey of opinion within the SNP membership which I would think should be published in the not too distant future.

I personally favour EU membership. However, that would have to be membership very much on terms. For example were there to be further moves to strengthen the centre I would oppose membership. Clearly those Western European states that opt out (e.g. Norway and Switzerland) don’t suffer, but I feel there is still value in membership to retain a level of influence while the rules for trade etc ... are being set.

In a more puerile way, I would be totally opposed to membership of the EU while it had a "President Blair" as its titular head.

490.

Mike, I can now see were this is going and it leave's a bad taste in the mouth, the good people of NI will decide there own future and wither you like it or not a united Ireland may well be here in a few decades.


Your comments on Ireland and the Act of settlement show were your Loyalties lie, and belong in the dustbin of history.
As stated previously Scotland future lies within our own hands, and quite frankly your attitude/opinions do your cause no favours and indeed if you were in my country you would seem to pamper to the far right and bigot's that are Scotland's shame.

I would respectfully ask that if you wish to continue to comment on Scotland's future you keep your overt religious believes to yourself.
Or to look at it another way instead of treating the Act of Settlement as not "significant" perhaps if you sought to have it repealed/scrapped it would in fact help strengthen the very union your profess to love.

494. Kev - Edinburgh

Hi Kev

At first I found your postings funny but I’m becoming tired of your refusal (inability?) to respond to my postings without resorting to name calling and fraudulently misrepresenting me.

Can I respectfully suggest we both refrain from commenting on each other’s posts in the future?

Having said that there is one question I have to ask you: are your postings based on genuine beliefs or are they ‘made up’, with the specific intention of making English people want rid of Scotland whilst people with your views live in it?

Cheers mate!

Mike

493. PMK
I don't think you and I are far apart on the EU, and I take your point about the SNP - leaders v membership, a membership which holds disparate views on many issues. Which is good. I find the present parliament refreshing in that at last we have a government not puppet-stringed from Westminster. Hopefully the Labour party will now distance itself from the central party, and thereby represent Scotland effectively but "properly" in opposition - and in future perhaps in Government again. Not that I've anything against the SNP :-)

On an incidental note I've been looking through my web server logs, and the web access logs have more than doubled in size for the last 8 weeks. More than half the entries are through google or other engine searches for "Flower of Scotland", most from the UK, but many from nz, au, ch, es, it and others. Could be the rugby, but maybe there's a greatly increased interest in Scotland just now. I hope we get the tourists this year to match the interest, we could do with it after last year's floods down south wiped out our peak time (and that of the Lakes and North Wales).

We live in interesting times but!

There are over 24 million people of Scottish ancestry worldwide and I am proud to be one of them. Millions of Americans are of this 24 million and most of us I believe are for a free and independent Scotland, but not one who joins the EU. Instead, may I urge you all to draw closer to the United States and Canada? We are freedom loving people who have many common ties with Scotland. Also, as your First Minister has urged, keep your open debate factual and honorable. We do not alwasy see that spirit in America, but most of us try to move it in that direction. In short - Independance YES, EU membership NO.
We are praying that you have wisdom and we appreciate your prayers as we elect a president in Nov. 2008. Freedom has a big price, but it is well worth it! This is your time in Scotland's long history. Set yourselves free and don't look back. After all, in 1776 we did and look what has happened since then! Blessings to you all.

it is interesting that after less than a year in power the snp have tried hard to change the cultural inferiority which many opponents of Independence formerly held.
Alex Salmond in my opinion has worked tirelessly to prove that his minority leadership can do at least as well as previous administrations did with a greater majority than he has.
if the opposition in Scotland would back Alex, who knows, the policies would gel and the work of creating the kind of nation most of the people want would start to happen.Look at the world,war loss of life,resources wasted families ruined.
it is time for ego and selfishness to take a back seat and the real work of leadership to start ending the inequalities that are prevalent in the nation and the world.

#497

I'm really glad you are proud of your Scottish Heritage as is my sister and my aunts who emigrated to Canada, New Zealand and Australia. However they are now Canadian, New Zealanders and Australia, just as you are American and pledge allegiance to the Stars and Stripes. You, like they are, are welcome to visit the place of your ancestors' birth, but have no right to interfere in the internal politics of Scotland. My birthright is that I can, provided I live here and pay my taxes. I would not dream of suggesting that Texas, California or any other State of the Union become independent from that entity, so what gives you the right to support a minority view of the population of MY homeland? The same right as American/Irish took upon themselves to fund the bombings in the UK? Sorry my friend, your sentiments are not needed, look after your own neck of the woods, we'll look out for ours.

#496 Dave Eastabrook - No, I don’t think we are that far apart on the EU either.

# 491 Ellis Sims - As I am sure you are well aware, there is no way the Republic would "rejoin Britannia" under any structure or circumstances.

It’s strange that more powers being given to historic nations are often contentious at the time ... but what once divided public opinion, now unites nearly-all in that polity. Outside of Britain look at Catalonia, Flanders, Quebec and others. What was once contentious is now the bedrock of political debate and discussion.

For example, look at the original devolution settlement in Scotland. "I agree there should be a Scottish Parliament" only got 75% of the vote in 97/98, now it would be truly overwhelming probably 90%+? The same even applies to the "tax-varying powers" currently devolved (referendum c63% to 37%). It is inconceivable now that such an admittedly useless power would be given back. The Lib Dems, the Scottish Tories - YES, the same Scottish Tories who opposed devolution a decade ago - are now in favour of more fiscal autonomy/fiscal federalism. When allowed to speak her own mind, even Wendy Alexander wants fiscal federalism. Although, you will hear less about that now since Brown downgraded her commission. The same arguments could be applied to Wales; where Plaid and Labour are now in coalition to work toward a Parliament, in the Holyrood style, under the "One Wales" agreement.

I live in an area of scotland which is rich in scenery but poor in wealth. Local business is hampered by absurd levels of fixed expenses like rates and liability insurance. This is further compounded by distance from markets and terrible roads. Theres been virtually no serious effort to rectify any of the above in my life time. I dont hold out much hope of change in the future either unless we have a brain storm, wake up and see the reality of our existance. Some already have but many still choose to bury their heads in the sand. Some feel that as long as they can still afford to get drunk they can forget about reality quite nicely, for a little while anyway. Overall fear of change is our biggest enemy as a people, only when sufficient numbers feel that things cant get much worse will they throw caution to the wind. It's good to have a cautious nature but like everything you can take it too far. Scotland could do very well, either fully independant or as a part of a federal europe. The ball is in our court though and i hope we take the initive and run with it.
Try telling someone from southern ireland that they would be better off re-joining the English dominated UK. Just make sure you can out run them first.