The Scottish Government

When Scotland becomes independent and writes her own constitution, the very first article should state that sovereignty lies with us, the Scots people. There can be no room for ambiguity: there will be no place for an executive heredity monarchy, nor an overbearing parliament.

An independent Scotland will have a fantastic opportunity to try something new: to be a truly participatory democracy where any informed citizen is able to take part in the governing process. We have the chance to recreate the sort of public participation in government they have in Switzerland where the people, not the politicians, have the final say on any matter.

I would love to see a Scotland which regularly consults her people through the use of referenda, initiatives and petitions.

It has always been in Scotland's political tradition that power comes from the people, not from their rulers. With independence, we will finally have the opportunity to make "sovereignty of the people" a practical reality.

Even Henry McLeish backs the national conversation, and now his former allies are telling him to leave Labour and join the SNP!

No wonder Brown's in a panic trying to revive the constitutional review he so recently downgraded.

Can we start from simple principles?

What is independence and from whom?

I live in St Andrews, can I have independence for North East Fife? If the case for independence is moral, then surely the moral case is that whenever a plurality in ANY location vote for independence they can have it?

If not, is the argument about size, but that it is a pragmatic argument not a moral one. Are we really asking what is the optimum split between centralised and decentralised government. The whole issue around the EU that excites people is really part of this. Do we need another tier of government? Why are some decisions best taken in Scotland and others not?

Why not regionalise Scotland. Give full tax raising powers to the various parts.

If we say it has to be a nation recognized by history. What if I argue for the kingdom of Fife or Strathclyde.

Ireland has been mentioned many times. How many people know anything about health care in Ireland or welfare? There is very little compared to here. The tax rates are much lower because there is MUCH less social welfare. Is this being advocated? Not by anyone I see here.

Irish history is very interesting. During the founding of the free state, there was a mass exodus of protestants, religious clensing before it was termed so. You might argue they were not Irish but they were born there and lived there all their lives. Who would the independent supporters class as Scots? Anyone who moves here, anyone who lived here, anyone who was born here, anyone who wants, anyone whose parents were born here?

Most of the independence advocates make a moral case for independence. Freedom above all but in the end they resort pragmatic (economic) rationals for independence. This is because we are not oppressed or denied our "rights", they are really debating the practical merits of how we should be governed.

If so then I would argue the notion of some invisible line drawn on land fought over for 100's of years, agreed by kings, lords etc is a poor place to de-mark any government territory. I would rather see much more devolved government and less of it in total.

As a moral argument, the UK is a self contained island. I feel affinity with people due to language and culture from various parts of it. My connections are as strong within Scotland as within the UK. I do not wish to be split apart based on lines on maps.

Having been a Nationalist all my life,it now seems more possible that I will see independence in my lifetime, but I would rather that be outside the EU. We are, with the help of Mr. Brown and his ilk, being mugged by Brussels.
Alex Salmond would perhaps be wise to consider the possibility that many thousands of Scots voted for his party with their hearts, but now that he is in a position to become "dangerous" will next time vote with their heads. Here's one who hopes he gets it right

In my own personal opinion I rather see the city of Glasgow independent from Scotland and the rest of the UK rather than supporting full scottish independence because people argue that independence for Scotland will mean greater freedom and prosperity for the people of Scotland but what about the citizens of Glasgow where approximately 41% of people live below the poverty line. I would actually support Glasgow being fully independent from Scotland being able to control everything from education to law including taxes. I am proud to be Scottish but Im fed up of people from other parts of Scotland controlling the city of Glasgow. If people want Scottish independence why don't they support a fully indepedent city of Glasgow who can make their own decisions and govern themselves. Maybe then inequality and poverty could be dealt with more effectively. In addition full independence could give Glasgow more status as a sense of place attracting more tourists and as a result Glasgow might become more wealthier.

As an Englishman living and working in Scotland for the past year i say vote SNP and give England her independence. This Labour government knows if the English were given a vote on this issue the union would be dead and buried because more English want an end to this failed "marriage" than the Scots. So come on Scotland vote for INDEPENDENCE!!!!!

508. Mike King, Read my post you refer to more closely: I say all should be welcome to comment, but those comments from Scotland - i.e. those most affected by the change - will carry most weight. I stand by that. You are, of course, most welcome to contribute to the debate (and will be affected by the eventual outcome to some degree), my point was that contributions from outside Scotland should be welcomed in general not merely those from the rest of the UK. Additionally, those views which you happen to disagree should not be shouted down; while you welcome, or even tolerate, others with whom you agree. That is what I disliked about post #499. I hope you can agree with that stance of welcoming all (regardless of the position they take)?

Why are the pro-unionists against a referendum which includes a question on independence? Are they scared of the outcome or do they know best and we (the great uneducated) should just toe the line

I'm a Scot working for the government of a none EU country in Germany.I have first hand exsperience of the EU Mentality on what they think of the British Isles as a thorn in the side of a Federal United State of Europe,the aspirations of the FRENCH and the GERMANS to achieve ecconomicaly what the could not by military means.I believe we have a great oppertunity to break out from the chains that the smaller countries in the EU find them selves locked into by promises of ecconomic illusions,
Scotland has the ability to remove those chains from England and the EU and offer Globbel companies conditions on Tax, enviroment, brains, a hard and honest working people.
Given the chance Scotland could be the envy of Europe,not choked by burocratic rubbish designed by Eurocrats intrested in their own ambitious.SCOTLAND the BRAVE, take this chance of Freedom,for the sake of future generations."We have had discourse with scholars and reasoned with fools, but still in our home land the foreigner rules."

I would like to live in a normal country, one that decides where its army serves, who fishes in her waters, who visits, how taxes are spent and a country where nuclear weapons or foreign royal families do not exist.

I want to live in a free Scotland!