No one cares more about Scotland's success than the people who live here and that, ultimately, is why independence is the best choice for our future.
Independence is about making Scotland more successful. At its most basic it is about the ability to take our own decisions on the issues that affect life in Scotland, Scotland's economic prospects and our position in the world. And that is something the people of Scotland understand.
Being able to take those decisions in Scotland would see a Scottish Parliament able to bring an end to nuclear weapons off Scotland's shores and the billions of pounds spent to maintain them.
Independence would enable a Scottish Parliament for example to develop a pensions system that supported our elderly properly.
It would mean that when the people of Scotland oppose illegal wars we cannot be forced into them and it would see a Scottish Parliament able to make the economic decisions on taxation and investment that would grow our industries and take full advantage of our second energy windfall.
In the most recent survey of social attitudes in Scotland 43% of people in Scotland wanted the Scottish Parliament to make all decisions for Scotland. That is independence and support for making all decisions in Scotland is on the increase.
The fact that only 21% wanted to keep things the way they are may hold the key to David Cameron's panicked intervention.
People in Scotland also understand clearly how independence will be achieved.
In May's elections the SNP said we would hold a referendum on independence in the second half of this parliamentary term and that is exactly what we will do.
If others who favour more powers - the devo max option - want to ask a question on that we are open to their ideas, but for us and for me it is independence that presents the best opportunity for Scotland.
What David Cameron and his colleagues do not understand is that a referendum on independence is an exciting opportunity for the people of Scotland, not a party political game, and we owe it to the people who voted in May to stick to our word.
The unwise intervention of Westminster politicians seeking to dictate the timing and questions of a referendum for which they have no mandate demonstrates that the only confusion on the issue is amongst the anti-independence parties who don't seem able to accept that as a government we will stick to the promise we made to the electorate.
Instead of putting themselves into a state of disarray the anti-independence voices at Westminster and the prime minister would be wise to hold to the position that they have all previously acknowledged, that the Scottish Parliament has the right to hold the referendum and that all these matters will be determined by the people and parliament of Scotland.
And the PM's argument that this is all about economic uncertainty does not hold up to scrutiny. When the same claim was made by George Osborne and Danny Alexander neither could produce any evidence to back it up.
The prime minister himself unveiled record new investment in the North Sea by BP and the Scottish government has worked hard to attract new investment into Scotland from global companies such as Avaloq, Dell, Gamesa, Amazon, Doosan Power Systems and Michelin, to name just a few.
So what should the UK government be doing? In May the SNP said one of our priorities would be improving the economic powers of the Scotland Bill - a piece of Westminster legislation that currently does little to transfer the levers of economic growth.
Last month a Scottish parliamentary committee sent the UK government our recommendations for enhancing that legislation and for limiting the damage it will do. Next week the House of Lords will begin to discuss the bill. While David Cameron interferes with Scotland's referendum he has yet to confirm if he will make the changes Scotland is asking for to his own legislation.
Instead of sabre-rattling on the referendum, the UK government should be amending and improving the Scotland Bill to give the Scottish Parliament the economic and financial powers so we can do something about the disastrous impact of Tory/Lib Dem policies in Scotland.
Whatever the prime minister and his colleagues do, independence will be decided by the people of Scotland in a referendum taking place in the second half of this parliamentary term.
The anti-independence parties will have their case to make - once they've worked it out - but that case is increasingly damaged by blundering interventions seeking to dictate terms to the Scottish people and their democratically elected Scottish Parliament as voters contrast the behaviour of the Tories and their allies with the Scottish government's commitment to the people of Scotland.
Follow Humza Yousaf on Twitter: www.twitter.com/HumzaYousaf
Lesley Riddoch: McGroundhog Day in Scottish Independence Debate
Dave Cohen: Are We Not Men? We Are Devo Max
Scottish Independence: Majority Of Scots Want To Remain In United Kingdom
Scottish independence referendum statement
Steve Bell on Scottish independence vote – cartoon
Mac on... Scotland's latest push for independence
David Cameron on Scottish independence referendum gamble - video
This endevour will do little to improve the lot of any Scotsman IMO, at home or abroad.
These myopic separatist individuals fail to see the threat to modern day Scotland & her culture & economy may not even be bourne on the Britsh Isles but rather it hanging in the electronic either that confronts us all on a daily basis around the globe.
Any ' Googleoigist' can see that back in the day 'Clan Donald' (the largest Clan) became what it was not through isolationism, but through strategic alliances that were in its best interest.
In that context Scotland it self is a Modern day 'Clan' of sorts, allied with two other (England & Wales) for the strengh of all three., each in support of the other & each in the pursuit of peace, liberty & happiness, all similar yet different in their own right.
Romantics be dammend, 'Summerled' was on to something!
( & the fact I can weigh in from Canada should be food for thought)
Cheers.
I guess that having seen Braveheart you must be pretty knowledgeable on the subject of Scottish 'independence'?
And I guess that having Scottish ancestors is a bit of a bonus when it comes to discussing the British Empire.
Still, as you say:
"...Sean Connery, a Scottish actor leads the way for Scottish independance..."
What a pity he's decided that his retirement is best spent in the Bahamas rather than an 'independent' Scotland.
Connery's already said he would seriously consider returning to Scotland if Independance came to fruition. He's a big financial backer of the SNP and has become good friends with Alex Salmond over the last few years. But then, the English Media won't report that, as it doesn't fit in with their agenda.
The banks that we all bailed out (Scots did so to a disproportionate degree) are international corporations trading mainly in the City of London's casino circus by rules set by Westminster. They have the word "Scotland" in their names, but they are not Scottish and have not truly been so for some time now.
Oil in the Scottish sector of the North Sea was mainly developed by international oil companies with a little startup help from UK taxes. The UK taxpayers' investment in the enterprise has been repaid many many times over.
Scots MPs voting in Westminster matters that do not relate to Scotland is mainly a Labour party ploy. The Labour party is based in London. Talk to them about it; it is a gross anomaly and should be ended. SNP members at Westminster never vote on non Scots matters there. That is a matter of party policy and democratic decency, something the Labour lot are apparently strangers to.
I do know that when it seemed as though Quebec might be getting close to secession they seemed to have a problem with corporations pulling out because their deals were with Canada and not Qubec. Has Scotland avoided that issue because of the SNP?
Completely. Our devolved government is bringing in copious amounts of inward investments to work with and develop our industrial base. The potential is enormous for a small nation of only 5 million.
Whatever happens, I hope that both Scotland and England move away from the neo-liberal economy dominated by financial speculation, either together or as separate countries.
In order to escape from the slavery if the existing economic model, I would even be in favor of the USA splitting into several autonomous countries - a kind of Commonwealth of North America. That way everyone would get to enjoy their version of the American Dream.
Cheers to a happy people of Scotland, England, California or Vermont, as independent countries!
Anything except the slavery of the World-Wide Corporate Regime of Financial Speculation!
The entire social framework of our country needs to change, we will not be any more proud if we are handed independence on a plate, we will just ask "Where's my piece?", We will not miraculously transform into a peaceful, scandinavian style democracy - we are too poor, to hateful, to unambitious, and too pessimistic. Self-determination will not solve our social or economic issues; Kosovo is entirely propped up by UN peacekeepers, Slovakia is profoundly less well-off than the Czech Republic. First educate people to the fact that 'freedom' is not running about half-naked, and painted blue like Mel Gibson so artistically articulated, and 'independence' is state of being, not a magic wand of prosperity.
Any questions?
Yes. Do you really hate Scotland as much as your cringe filled post seems to indicate?
With regard to the Edinburgh Trams debacle, this was voted through by the combined Labour,Lib Dem,Tory parties 4 or 5 years ago. SNP didn't vote for the Tram fiasco.Just thought i'd clear that up for you.
You go on about being poor,hateful unambitious and pessimistic. Don't generalise a whole Nation by what you see looking back at you in the mirror every morning!
For many Scots the most important thing is Independence; this will give many people the will and desire to do more for their country, instead of sitting back doing nothing because England is in control. Every nation should rule itself; it gives people pride and that can propel them to act in ways to make things better.
Flattering though yur opening remarks are I would seriously hesitate to give myself any such eminence. I'm really just one more guy with a keyboard and maybe too much time on my hands these days. I'm happy to quote the SNP leader Alex Salmond and apply the words very firmly to myself in saying that i "have no monopoly on wisdom."
Thanks for your kind words and your expression of support. Those and your surname get you a fanning from me, Picasso being one of my favourite artists ever.
A' the best.
So I see.
in fact an ipsos mori poll in December 2011 supports this by showing
Nearly two-thirds of voters now want a referendum to be held either as soon as possible (33%) or within the next two years (31%), contrary to the intentions of the Scottish government who are planning to hold the ballot towards the end of the current Holyrood session.
I wonder how the English would react if they had to accept ultimatums from a party they did not vote for? A party that in no way shape or form represented their views or principles. Would they accept it the way they tell us WE should? Not - on - your - life.
I do not trust ANY party whose members are committed solely to landing cushy cabinet jobs in London. They do not have Scotland’s best interest at heart and never will. All they seek is power and for them Scotland is too small for their ambitions. Fine, but Labour politicians should least admit it.
They should admit they’re doing the bidding of the boy Miliband in the hope of currying future favour. They should admit Labour’s abject fear that without Scottish support they may never see power in London again. They should admit for them Scotland is little more than a political rung on a ladder to Westminster.
Salmond’s victory was in part due to the Scottish people expecting protection against a new Tory Prime Minister. So just remember, when Salmond locks horns with Cameron he’s doing what we expect of him. He’s doing his job.
so we have this little group voting on issues that did not affect them including University fees when B-liars 46 scots made the difference
It is the right of members of the house of commons to vote on any and all matters brought before the house, but, as you very rightly point out, there are some times when it is positively anti-democratic for them to do so. It is a practice which Scottish independence would not bring to an end for as long as there are MPs from Wales and N. Ireland in Westminster. The only cure wuld be a devolved parliament for England. That's an English matter that Enlgish people need to raise with Westminster on their own behalf.
England having what, 500 or so against 150 and dropping, for the rest of UK (or England as most English call it!)
In Scotland, we got the poll tax, check how the North Sea "border" was drawn to ensure our oil was initially almost all in "English" waters. The line was about three miles off the East coast then across unbelievably at Aberdeen.
Our so called UK MP`s made sure Scotland plays second fiddle on most matters.
If you listen to the News, how often does a problem in England get the rider, "in Scotland this problem has been resolved". That`s in only 11 years of devolution. Just think how we could do without the burden of England.