We are all Scots today!

Precisely 300 years after the May 1st, 1707 Acts of Union, an election in Scotland on May 3rd is about to bring an Independentist party to power. The Scottish Nationalist Party represents Scots’ premier choice for the years ahead; as a matter of fact, the emerging, most venerable and most noble, Republic of Scotland reflects the best hopes of almost 5.5 million Scots, and at the same time the wishes of millions of oppressed Europeans, whose national and cultural identity has been estangled behind the irreasonsble and undemocratic borders that Might – and not Right – helped impose.

The 3rd May 2007 Elections for the Scottish Parliament

The Scottish Nationalist Party emerged over the past decades as the leading force in the transformation of the Scottish society into a modern, self-confident Nation that duly and proudly deserves Independence.

As authentic descendants of Drest, son of Erp, the legendary King of the Picts who ruled 100 years and fought 100 battles at the times of the Roman emperor Theodosius, as genuine successors to Cináed mac Ailpín, the first King of the Scots who ruled 16 years in the middle of the 9th century (843 – 858), as original offcprings of the tragic Maria Stuart (1542 - 1567) and Anna, the last monarch of the House of Stuart (1665 – 1714), today’s Scots have thoughtfully debated on the Independence of their Fatherland, and extensively pondered on the ensuing benefits.

The SNP participates in the elections, identifying Independence as its primary target and milestone for Scotland’s future. As they put it:

The primary aim of the SNP is to take Scotland forward to independence.

As many oppressed people throughout Europe and other continents strive for Independence, we believe it is extremely necessary and absolutely useful for them to closely study the way, simple and yet elaborate, accurate and up-to-the-point, the Scots formulate and stipulate their inalienable right to Independence (http://www.snp.org/independence/benefits):

"Independence means the Scottish Parliament having full control over Scottish affairs, and the right to decide when to share power with others. Independence would give Scotland the same rights and the same responsibilities as other nations. It would give us a voice on the world stage and a say in international bodies like the UN and EU. With an SNP government, independence would also bring greater freedom for individuals, families and communities within a society built on common interests."  

Further elaborating on the reasons for Scotland to be an independent country, the SNP provides solid arguments that may be necessary to numerous nations and ‘ethnic minorities’ allover the world: Normality, Integrity (Devolution is not enough), National Development (Scotland can flourish with independence), Economic Progress (Why our economy needs independence), Rational Exploitation of the Natural Resources (Making the most of our natural resources), and Participation in the World Affairs (Why Scotland needs a voice in the world). We re-publish also a text - key tool for the process (How will Scotland gain her independence?).

Normality

The SNP wants Scotland to have what every other country takes for granted – the freedom to decide what kind of society we want to live in and how we want to interact with the world around us. In other words, normality.

As individuals, we value our own independence. We accept that it is entirely natural to make our own decisions, to earn and spend our own money, and to take responsibility for our own lives. Why should we settle for anything less for our country?

As a nation, we accept the independence of other countries as normal. We do not think it strange that the people of Norway and Denmark run their own affairs. We would not expect the people of Ireland or Sweden to ask another nation to take decisions for them because they didn’t feel up to the job. Why should the people of Scotland be any different?

Most of us also want our communities to have more independence.  We want to have a greater say in deciding how our public services should be funded and delivered, we want to participate in decisions which affect the environment around us and we want to contribute more to the communities we live in. That too is normal - but it won't happen unless we start by taking control of our country and taking decisions for ourselves.

Devolution is not enough

The SNP campaigned for the Scottish Parliament because we believed it was a move in the right direction for our country.  But devolution is not the same as independence - and it is not nearly enough to make a real, lasting difference to Scotland.

Although the Scottish Parliament has brought a new level of democracy to our country, its powers are strictly limited and therefore there is a limit to what it can achieve. With devolution Westminster keeps control of crucial areas like the economy (including our oil), taxation, benefits, pensions, immigration and asylum, broadcasting, defence and international affairs. It also retains the right to legislate in all areas - devolved as well as reserved - and can over-ride the will of the Scottish Parliament without consent.

The Scottish Parliament has passed some important legislation in its first two sessions, including bills on free personal care for the elderly, land reform, homelessness and proportional representation for local government elections.  However on key issues such as economic growth or pensions it remains powerless and on matters as basic as whether or not to send Scottish troops to war it has no voice.

Scotland can flourish with independence

Independence is not only normal; it is also desirable. Other small European countries are much more successful than Scotland in terms of both economic growth and living standards. Independence gives those nations the powers to shape their country for the better. Scotland could have this too.

Off our east coast lies Norway, the second most prosperous country in the world. Off our west coast lies Ireland, the fourth most prosperous country in the world. Off our north coast lies Iceland, the sixth most prosperous country in the world.

These independent countries represent an arc of prosperity - and Scotland has every bit as much potential as any of them. We have abundant natural resources, an educated and skilled workforce and a globally recognised identity and reputation for quality and integrity.

With Independence, Scotland could join this arc of prosperity by pursuing the same successful economic policies, to give us a stronger economy, better public services and a fairer society.

Why our economy needs independence

There is no question that the Scottish economy is underperforming under devolution, because the Scottish Parliament lacks the powers to tackle Scotland’s cycle of low economic growth and population decline.

Rather than accept this state of affairs, as our political opponents do, the SNP wants to implement an economic policy that moves our country forward.  Independence would give the Scottish Parliament the powers to transform Scotland into a high growth economy and a prosperous society.

With the right policies in place we could make Scotland a much more competitive place to do business. Policies such as cutting corporation tax to 20 per cent, reducing business red tape and implementing a distinctive immigration policy to target migrants with the skills we need.

As part of a wider economic strategy, these measures would boost economic growth and produce more wealth to invest in the public services we value in Scotland, without any need to increase taxes. This approach has worked in other countries – there is no reason why it should not work in Scotland too.

Making the most of our natural resources

Independence would also give us control of energy policy – and bring home Scotland’s share of North Sea oil and gas revenues.

More than 90 per cent of the UK’s oil revenues come from the Scottish sector of the Continental Shelf. So it really is Scotland’s oil.

Over the past thirty years 35.4 billion barrels have been extracted from the UK sector of the North Sea, producing a cash windfall for the UK government of £217 billion. There is plenty of potential left in the North Sea  with as  much as half of the oil yet to come, and new opportunities opening up for the oil industry to the north and west of Scotland.

As an independent country Scotland could follow the example of Norway and invest a share of our future oil revenues in a fund to benefit future generations. By investing just part of our oil wealth, Scotland could have an Oil Fund worth almost £90 billion in just 10 years. That is £20,000 banked for every man, woman and child in our country.

In addition to oil, we have vast renewable energy potential. Scotland has 25 per cent of Europe’s wind and tidal capacity and 10 per cent of its wave power.  There are huge, untapped opportunities for offshore energy production and for clean carbon technologies like carbon capture.  An SNP government will harness this potential and turn it into a profitable and environmentally sustainable industry.

Oil and renewables - along with a set of pro-Scottish business policies – can help transform Scottish prospects over the next 30 years. They are far too important to be left to London. It is time to move on so Scotland’s precious natural resources can help fuel our nation’s future prosperity.

Why Scotland needs a voice in the world

Without independence, Scotland can only look on while other nations gather to discuss and tackle global issues.

As part of the UK, Scotland has no direct role in shaping the decisions of the European Union, decisions that directly affect us and have a crucial impact on key industries like fishing and agriculture. To become part of the decision-making process in Europe, and gain the power to stand up for our vital national interests, Scotland needs to become a member state. To become a member state, Scotland has to become independent.

We will be in good company.  Seven out of the ten new EU member states have populations similar to or smaller than Scotland.  If Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania can have a seat at the top table of Europe, then why not Scotland?

Independence would also give Scotland a voice on the international stage; a voice we can use to promote peace and reconciliation, and fairness.

The SNP will always uphold the rule of international law. An SNP government in an independent Scotland would never send Scottish soldiers into an illegal conflict, like the Iraq war. Until Scotland becomes an independent country we will do everything in our power to bring our troops home. 

Independence would also enable us to honour our commitments to international development aid. An SNP government would meet the UN recommended aid contributions level of 0.7 per cent of national income as well as supporting reform of international trade bodies like the World Trade Organisation to create a more level playing field between developed and less developed nations.

And independence would allow us to do more to tackle climate change.  Most people now accept that climate change is real and that we need to reduce the amount of C02 we release into the atmosphere and meet our future energy needs in a more sustainable way. 

The SNP plans to do this by developing our extensive green energy resources such as wind, wave and tidal power and clean carbon technologies like carbon capture.  This wouldn’t just benefit Scotland, it would benefit other countries as well. Scotland is better placed than just about any country on earth to pioneer clean green energy systems  but we need the Scottish Parliament to have full control of energy policy to do it.

How will Scotland gain her independence?

Scotland will become independent when the people of Scotland vote for it in a democratic referendum.

An SNP led Executive in the Scottish Parliament will hold a referendum on Independence in its first term of office. If a majority of those who vote in the referendum vote for independence, representatives of the Scottish Executive will then begin negotiations with Westminster to agree an Independence settlement. While negotiations are under way, a written constitution for an independent Scotland will be drafted, which will guarantee rights for Scotland’s citizens and set out how Scotland will be governed.

Scotland leads the way!

How could one summarize best the Scottish Plead for Independence? Small is beautiful, human, democratic, functional, and progressive. As the Scots go to elect their Parliament, the Catalonians, the Corsicans, the Bretons, the Basques, the Welch, the Wallonians, the Occitanians, the Bavarians, the Padanians, the Kosovars, the Macedonians, the Pomaks, the Balkan Turks, the Transylvanian Hungarians, the Turks of Northern Cyprus, the Transnistrians, the Novipazaris and the Voivodinans of Serbia, the South Balkan Vlachians, the Diaspora Albanians, the Aegean Latins, and the Cretans keep a close eye.

They hope, they know that the day is nigh when their language, their culture and their identity will prevail over the absolutely artificial, criminal, ‘national’ frames that have been imposed in a monstrous and dictatorial way at the most inhuman moment of the World History: that of the formation (late 18th, 19th and early 20th centuries) of the ‘national states’.

Long Live Independent Scotland!