A new report by Common Weal argues that an independent currency pegged to Sterling is likely to be most advantageous initially for an independent Scotland, but flexibility would be needed over the longer term. Continue reading Sound as a Pound?
Tag: independence
One month on: delivering ‘The Vow’
Scottish Secretary Alistair Carmichael says pledge to devolve further powers to Scottish Parliament is on track
One month on from Scotland’s decision to remain part of the UK, Scottish Secretary Alistair Carmichael has said the UK Government has hit the ground running on its pledge to devolve further powers to the Scottish Parliament.
He called on First Minister-in-waiting Nicola Sturgeon to adopt a similar approach and show real leadership in making things happen, and said it was vital that people in Scotland accept the result of the fair, legal and decisive referendum and move on in the best interests of all of Scotland.
On 18 September 2,001,926 people in Scotland voted for Scotland to stay in the UK, nearly 400,000 more than voted for the independence option. The turnout, at almost 85%, was the largest in UK election history.
Mr Carmichael said: “Nicola Sturgeon will take the reins at a time where most Scots are moving on with their lives after the long and passionate referendum campaign. We have hit the ground running and are already working hard to deliver the further devolution which we promised.
“During the referendum campaign we set out a timetable for the devolution of further powers and we’re not only meeting it, we’re beating it.
“I would call on Nicola Sturgeon to show genuine leadership and accept the result. There have already been cries of reneging on the more powers vow even though the Smith Commission hasn’t even proposed anything yet. The betrayal bandwagon is already getting dusted down. This is simply not good enough. The Scottish people have made their democratic decision and it must be respected.
“I appreciate the emotional intensity of the campaign but the UK Government respected the victory of the nationalists in 2011, recognised the will of the Scottish people and took measures to devolve the power to hold the referendum. Both sides signed the Edinburgh Agreement in good faith and it is that good faith which we need to see from the new First Minister.
“The referendum gave us a decisive result. This was the most democratic decision we have ever made in Scotland. More than 3.6 million people voted. One question was put to the electorate and the overwhelming majority of people in Scotland answered by saying they want to remain part of the United Kingdom.
“We are now working to build a stronger Scottish Parliament. Calling for a second referendum and reflecting on what could have been is entirely inappropriate. The Scottish Government wanted to divide the United Kingdom but if they carry on as they have for the past month then they risk dividing Scotland.”
Scotland’s deputy first minister Nicola Sturgeon said: “The Scottish government intends to play a full and constructive part in the process to deliver substantial new powers for the Scottish Parliament.
“This will include working to ensure that the outcome meets the high expectations of the people of Scotland as expressed in the referendum, given the various promises of ‘devo max’, ‘near federalism’ and ‘home rule’ which were made.”
She said that the UK parties were falling out over more powers for Holyrood and introducing Englishvotes for English laws’ at Westminster.
“In the month since the referendum, we have produced our submission to the Smith Commission, continued our engagement with the people of Scotland on more powers and witnessed a phenomenal rise in SNP membership as more and more people realise that it is the SNP that delivers for Scotland. It’s time for the Westminster parties to show the same spirit of co-operation and compromise, to stop squabbling with each other and to join us in working for Scotland’s best interests instead of their own.”
Referendum Day North Edinburgh
Some local images capturing a momentous day. If you’d like to add some more to the collection please send them to northedinnews@gmail.com
OMG! STV to host Facebook referendum debate!
Social media’s the latest referendum battleground
STV will host the first and only official Facebook independence referendum debate between the Yes Scotland and Better Together campaigns tonight.
Scotland Decides: The Facebook Debate will see the SNP’s Humza Yousaf MSP and Labour’s Douglas Alexander MP putting their arguments to Scotland’s voters – as many as 10% of whom may still be undecided.
The debate, which will air on STV Glasgow and be available on Facebook at 9pm and then repeated at 11.40pm on STV.
Facebook users will be invited to pose questions to the two politicians in advance of the debate on the STV News Facebook page and on Facebook’s Democracy UK page.
Questions will then be posed to Mr Yousaf and Mr Alexander on Friday throughout the course of the 30-minute session. As the debate unfolds on TV, people will be able to see the action in real-time on Facebook whilst continuing to share their thoughts and engage after the event.
Elizabeth Linder, Facebook’s politics & government specialist for the Europe, Middle East & Africa region said: “Millions of people from all walks of life in Scotland have joined the referendum debate on Facebook. Whether it’s candidates making their pitch, voters discussing the issues they care about, or friends persuading each other to go and vote – it’s all taking place on Facebook.
“As we enter the final week of the campaign and the polls start to narrow, referendum discussion on Facebook is really heating up. People in Scotland are turning to Facebook to get their questions answered before making their decision on September 18. We hope that the live Facebook debate on Friday will answer some of these questions to help undecided voters reach a decision.”
Bobby Hain, director of channels at STV, said: “STV has played its role at the heart of the referendum debate on air and online and this partnership with Facebook serves as a further great opportunity to engage and inform our viewers on multiple platforms.”
The live debate, which will be moderated by Rona Dougall, presenter of STV’s current affairs programme Scotland Tonight, will be filmed at STV Glasgow’s studio and promises to offer a different dynamic to previous debates, with a format which will see both representatives have more of a fast paced and to the point question and answer session
The debate follows a Facebook campaign, launched last month in partnership with the Electoral Commission, to encourage people to register to vote. People over the age of 16 using Facebook in Scotland can add a “Registered to Vote” Facebook “Life Event” to their Timeline, to announce that they have registered and plan to vote in the Scottish Referendum next week. In the run-up to the close of registration, people in Scotland were also shown posts in their Newsfeed raising awareness of an interactive Referendum guide, launched by the Commission to inform voters on how and where to vote.
STV Glasgow is available in Glasgow and the west on Freeview #23, Sky #117 and Virgin #159 and streamed live online on the STV Player
Like?
Independence: write or wrong?
Two months from referendum day, two prominent Scottish writers have set out a personal case for Yes and No – and Allan Massie and William McIlvanney are to discuss their differing perspectives on independence at a special event marking 50 days until referendum day.
Two new pamphlets by leading Scottish writers inspired by the 2014 independence referendum were published yesterday, two months to the day until Scottish voters go to the polls to determine Scotland’s future. The publications are the latest in an ongoing programme of Saltire Series Pamphlets, commissioned by non-political independent charity the Saltire Society.
One pamphlet, entitled ‘Nevertheless’, makes the case for a No vote in the September poll and is the handiwork of prominent journalist and writer Allan Massie. The other pamphlet, ‘Dreaming Scotland’, authored by the novelist and poet William McIlvanney, sets out his own reasons for voting Yes.
The two writers will be in conversation with one another at a special event to be hosted at the Central Hall in Edinburgh at 7.30pm on Wednesday 30 July and chaired by Robyn Marsack of the Scottish Poetry Library, marking exactly 50 days until the historic vote takes place.
Massie has written almost 30 books, including 20 novels and won the Saltire Society Scottish Book of the Year award for his 1989 novel A Question of Loyalties about Vichy France.
Arguing the case for Scotland to remain part of the United Kingdom, Allan Massie’s Pamphlet concludes:
“It is, for me, a matter of self-confidence. If you feel the lack of that, you will vote for independence. If you feel confident of Scotland’s ability to remain Scottish and prosper in the Union, you will agree that we are indeed Better Together and vote “no”. The Unionist says, I am Scottish. Nevertheless I am also British, and value the Union with England, “our sister and ally”, as [Sir Walter] Scott called her.”
William McIlvanney is also a past winner of the Saltire Society Scottish Book of the Year award for his 1996 novel The Kiln and has been previously described by none other than Allan Massie as ‘the finest Scottish novelist of our time’.
Setting out his reasons for voting in favour of independence, McIlvanney writes:
“Politically, Scotland’s like a living entity which has been cryogenically frozen and stored within the UK for over 300 years. Isn’t it time to come out of history’s deep-freeze and explore for ourselves who we really are? Whatever that reality turns out to be, let’s confront it. It’s time to grow up and take full responsibility for ourselves. A yes vote would do that.”
Saltire Society Executive Director Jim Tough said:
“Much of the political debate around the referendum has rightly been focused on practical questions and the economic case for and against. We wanted to provide an opportunity for some more philosophical thought to be given to the question. Hence we asked two of Scotland’s contemporary writers, each bringing an alternate perspective, to contribute these thoughtfully argued pieces.
“We wanted personal reflections rather than polemics. I think they dig that bit more deeply into what motivates people to vote one way or the other at a more instinctive level. Both pamphlets also offer some fascinating insights into the way history has shaped the Scotland we live in today – and who we are as modern Scots.”
Tickets for the ‘McIlvanney and Massie in Conversation’ event as well as both limited edition Pamphlets (‘Nevertheless’ by Allan Massie and ‘Dreaming Scotland’ by William McIlvanney) can be purchased from the Saltire Society offices or through the Saltire Society website: www.saltiresociety.org.uk.
More powers for Holyrood pledge as constitution consultation launched
A fresh start for Scotland, or increased powers within the UK? The SNP launched a consultation on a written constitution yesterday while the three main pro-union parties promised further devolution …
Everyone in Scotland will be asked to have their say on a draft Bill which will set out how an independent Scotland will be governed, Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said yesterday.
The draft Scottish Independence Bill is now open for public consultation and includes details on how an independent Scotland could prepare a permanent written constitution in a fully participative process led by the people.
The Bill also sets out immediate arrangements for independence – such as the role of government, human rights and the rule of law – and would form the interim written constitution.
The fundamental principle underpinning the Bill is that the people are sovereign – rather than Parliament, as is the case in the UK. The United Kingdom is the only country in the European Union, and the only country in the Commonwealth, which does not currently have a written constitution or Constitution Act.
The interim constitution proposes an obligation to advance towards nuclear disarmament, the strengthening of human rights protection, the safeguarding of the wellbeing of children and protection for the particular needs of local government and island communities.
In a speech at University of Edinburgh’s Centre for Constitutional Law, Ms Sturgeon said: “The great national debate we are engaged in is an intensely practical debate about how independence can improve the lives of people in Scotland.
“The key constitutional and practical point here is that with independence the Scottish Parliament can deliver an economic policy tailored to our needs and designed to take advantage of our great wealth. We will be able to retain the proceeds of growth in our economy in the form of increased tax revenues.
“With independence, Scotland will be a national economy with all the tools of other independent states. Independence as our constitutional future puts the practical responsibility into our own hands.
“A written constitution can be the foundation on which we can build that better Scotland.
“A written constitution is an important part of a nation’s identity – it defines who we are and sets out the values that we hold dear. It would be our ‘Scottish Declaration of Independence’, founded on the principle that in Scotland, the people are sovereign, not the Government or the Parliament.
“Our draft Scottish Independence Bill, and its accompanying consultation paper, set out our proposals for the steps that will follow a vote for independence to provide Scotland with a robust platform to make the transition. The Bill also sets out the framework for the Constitutional Convention that will follow independence and will develop Scotland’s permanent written constitution.
“This Scottish Government has set out some of the proposals that it would make to that Convention for the permanent constitution. But the process of creating the constitution – the engagement by the people in it – will be as important in many ways as its contents. As well as political parties and civic society, the process should ensure that the sovereign people of Scotland are centrally involved in designing and determining a written constitution as the blueprint for our country’s future.
“This principle – of the sovereignty of the people – is also key to the argument for independence. The people who have the biggest stake in a successful Scotland are those who live and work here. There are better outcomes for Scotland when decisions about Scotland are made in Scotland by the people of Scotland. Sovereignty means the people of Scotland always getting the government we vote for to govern our country the way we want.
“Currently we are without a written constitution, and the UK is the only country within the European Union or the Commonwealth that does not have a written constitution or a Constitution Act. But on September 18th the people of Scotland will be sovereign as they make the decision on Scotland’s future. Only with independence can we keep that power over our own destiny.
“This is a very exciting time and I would encourage everyone to have their say on the Bill. It is an exciting and unique opportunity to shape our nation, celebrate and protect our values and commit ourselves to building a better country.”
While Nicola Sturgeon was launching the Bill, the three main opposition parties – all pro-Union – produced a joint statement promising to deliver further devolution to Scotland by increasing Holyrood’s powers.
The Better Together statement – made by Scottish party leaders Ruth Davidson (Conservative), Johann Lamont (Labour) and Lib-Dem Willie Rennie (pictured above) – guarantees further control over fiscal matters and social security.
The leaders said: “We support a strong Scottish Parliament in a strong United Kingdom and we support the further strengthening of the parliament’s powers. The three parties delivered more powers for Holyrood through the Calman Commission which resulted in the Scotland Act 2012.
“We now pledge to further strengthen the powers of the Scottish Parliament, in particular in the areas of fiscal responsibility and social security. We believe that Scotland should have a stronger Scottish Parliament while retaining full representation for Scotland at Westminster.”
Six months to go: gamble or golden opportunity?
With just six months to go until Scotland’s date with destiny the politicians have been having their say once again. To varying degrees the Better Together parties – Conservative, Labour and the Lib Dems – all now support the granting of further powers to the Scottish Parliament, the ‘Devo Max’ option, but the SNP and Greens argue that Scotland can only fulfill it’s potential through independence.
Prime Minister David Cameron told the Conservative Party conference in Edinburgh last weekend: “A vote for No is not a vote for no change. We are committed to making devolution work better still – not because we want to give Alex Salmond a consolation prize if Scotland votes No, but because it’s the right thing to do. Giving the Scottish Parliament greater responsibility for raising more of the money it spends – that’s what Ruth (Davidson) believes, and I believe it too.”
The prime minister added: “Here’s the re-cap. Vote ‘Yes’ – that is total separation. Vote ‘No’ – that can mean further devolution, more power to the Scottish people and their parliament, but with the crucial insurance policy that comes with being part of the UK.”
He was supported today by Scottish Secretary Alistair Carmichael, who said: “With just six months to go until voters make their choice in the Scottish independence referendum, voters need to remember that a referendum is not like an election. You cannot change your mind in five years’ time if you do not like the choice you make. Once the union with England, Wales and Northern Ireland has been unpicked there will be no going back.
“The UK has been the most successful social, political and economic union that the world has ever seen. The decision to end it is not one that any sensible person would want to take lightly.
“It’s important to realise that a vote for independence is a gamble – there are simply too many unanswered questions, particularly regarding currency, pensions and the economy. Why would anyone want to leave a successful union – which has helped Scotland prosper for generations – for such an uncertain future?
“That’s why, as a Scot, I appeal to all voters to get the facts and consider what is best for our future. And we also need to remember that it’s not just our future which is at stake – what kind of Scotland do we want our children and grandchildren to inherit?”
Scottish Labour chose to launch their devolution commission findings today. Introducing the report, Leader Johann Lamont said: “I set up Scottish Labour’s devolution commission because it was clear that while the majority of Scots want to stay part of the United Kingdom, they want a stronger Scottish Parliament.
“With colleagues from Holyrood, Westminster, the European Parliament, local government, the trade unions and party members, I wanted to have a debate about where power should best lie to serve the people of Scotland, so I am pleased to publish our plans to strengthen devolution today before putting them to our party conference on Friday.
“The commission has worked hard to ensure that our proposals are consistent with Scotland remaining strong in the United Kingdom but also give us the flexibility to do things differently where we want to.
“We have engaged widely with business, trade unions, academics and constitutional experts and believe this is the most comprehensive package of devolution while also allowing Scotland the security and certainty of the United Kingdom.
“I believe it will make our parliament more accountable and more progressive. We also want to see power devolved from Holyrood down to local government and our communities.
“Labour should be proud of our record on devolution. It was a Labour Government that brought about the Scottish Parliament 15 years ago and we initiated the Calman process which resulted in greater tax and borrowing powers for Holyrood through the Scotland Act.
“With six months to go until Scotland decides on its future, our devolution proposals set out part of our positive alternative to the narrow politics of nationalism. Labour has always been the party of change, and we will change Scotland for the better.”
However ‘Yes Scotland’ supporters argue that the changes being proposed by the Unionist parties do not go far enough and will not solve Scotland’s problems.
Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said a ‘No’ vote would mean handing control “straight back to Westminster” and she gave six reasons why Scotland should vote for independence: more jobs, control of taxes, protecting the NHS, not ending up with Conservative governments we don’t vote for, the prospect of retiring later than south of the Border and the creation of an oil fund to make the most of Scotland’s North Sea resources.
“Today I am setting out six reasons for Yes with six months to go,” Ms Sturgeon said. “The referendum is a choice between taking Scotland’s future into Scotland’s hands or leaving our future in the hands of an out-of-touch Westminster establishment.
“The No campaign call themselves Project Fear but we have seen a move to Project Threat in recent days with increasingly over-the-top comments. So it’s no wonder that support for Yes continues to advance in the polls while the No campaign has stalled, with a swing of only around 5 per cent now needed to secure a Yes vote.”
Scottish Green Party leader Patrick Harvie also believes that a ‘yes’ vote could transform Scotland. He said: “I urge those who are as yet undecided to seize the opportunity to challenge both sides in this debate, and consider whether a Yes or a No gives the best chance of transforming Scotland into the more equal, more sustainable and more democratic society we’re capable of becoming.
“Green Yes campaigners are reaching out to communities across Scotland. For us a Yes vote gives the best chance of achieving the kind of Scotland where wealth is more fairly shared, where nuclear weapons have no place and where communities have real power.”
Independence IFS and buts
Think Tank report warns of spending cuts and tax hikes
An independent Scotland would have to cut spending or increase taxes for its finances to be sustainable in the long-term, a leading think tank has warned. The Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) said Scotland would face a ‘fiscal gap’ of 1.9% of national income, more than double that of the rest of the UK (0.8%).
The report says that significant spending cuts or tax increases would be necessary to balance the books.
Better Together campaigners say the report leaves the economic argument for independence ‘in tatters’ but Scottish Finance Secretary John Swinney believes the report actually underlines the case for an independent Scotland.
The 69 page ‘Fiscal sustainability of an independent Scotland’ (attached below) concludes:
‘An independent Scotland would have the freedom to make its own decisions about spending priorities and the appropriate design of the tax system, but it would be constrained by the necessity to deliver a significant cut in spending and/or increase in tax revenues in order to put its public finances in a sustainable long-term position’.‘
Speaking after the publication of the report earlier today, Alistair Darling, leader of the pro-Union Better Together campaign, said: “This sober and impartial analysis by the IFS leaves the SNP’s economic case for independence in tatters. SNP ministers pretend that in an independent Scotland there would be more money to spend, but that notion has been comprehensively demolished by the analysis from this respected institution. Today’s report is clear that an independent Scotland would need big cuts to things like pensions, benefits and the NHS or a big increase in tax.”
Not so, say supporters of independence. Commenting on the IFS report, Mr Swinney said: “This report actually underlines the case for an independent Scotland with full control of its own economy and the ability to take decisions that can secure a stronger and more prosperous future for the country.
“It is no surprise that projections based on the UK’s economic position show a long-term deficit when the OBR state that the UK’s economic strategy is “unsustainable” and that the UK will run a fiscal deficit in each of the next 50 years.
“The IFS themselves admit their projections in this report are ‘inherently uncertain and could evolve differently if Scotland were independent rather than part of the UK; in addition they could be substantially effected by the policies chosen by the government of an independent Scotland’.
“The whole point of independence is to equip Scotland with the competitive powers we need to make the most of our vast natural resources and human talent and to follow a better path from the current Westminster system which stifles growth and which is responsible for the damaging economic decisions which this report – and its projections – are based on.
“Scotland has strong financial and economic foundations, and even without a single penny from oil and gas, both output and tax revenues per head in Scotland are virtually the same as for the UK.
“Next year’s independence referendum will give people in Scotland a choice between staying with a broken Westminster system that has created one of the biggest gaps between rich and poor in the western world, which concentrates far too many jobs in London and the South-East of England, has accumulated vast amounts of debt and which neglects manufacturing and trade – or using the full tools of independence to rebalance the economy, improve equality and support public services.
“Between 1977 and 2007, smaller independent European countries similar to Scotland grew their economies faster than ours, and if we had matched those rates that greater output would now be the equivalent of around £4.5 billion.
“Tomorrow the Scottish Government will publish detailed analysis of the economic security, growth and job opportunities that come with the powers of independence and by taking Scotland’s future into Scotland’s hands.”
Letter: Offensive, Darling – bitter together
Dear Editor
I find it offensive that Alister Darling thinks that Scotland is not capable of self-government or of being a nation with full powers. How come small nations similar to Scotland can gain their independence and be successful, look after their people and economy without their neighbours ?
Lets look at what “Better Together ” has really done for Scotland. It has destroyed coal mining and ship building . It has given away our forests to the highest bidder,and our fisheries were sold down the river. Our whisky is taxed to the hilt . Gas, electricity,water and now the Royal Mail have all been privatised,but not for the benefit of ordinary people. Our hospitals ,schools and care homes can’t cope because budgets are cut year in, year out .
Scotland’s oil has been squandered to the extent that Mr Darling and his ilk say it’s running out, yet we are assured by experts there are still ample oil reserves. Denis Healey admitted to the people of Scotland that they were lied to in the 1970s about the oil supply running out then. New oil fields are being opened daily , weekly, monthly.
Under “Better Together ” Scotland has nothing – it all goes to Westminster! Our old , young unemployed , disabled , vulnerable are being driven into deeper poverty by a ‘better together’ UK Great Britain, whether you are a Tory, Labour or Lib/Dem.
As for George Osbourne telling the Scottish nation that should we get independence we would not be able to use the pound sterling? Have any Scottish people tried to exchange Scottish monetary notes in England ? It’s near impossible!
Another myth is having to use a Scottish passport to travel to England? Passports are not required to travel to the Republic of Eire. Yes identification is required but not necessary a passport.
As for defence Better Together have used their savage cuts to the MOD therefore Scotland has seen their regiments disappear. Teresa May’s recent comment that Scotland would be a target for terrorism. Scotland has been attacked once . We are more than capable of defending our country. How many times has England been attacked? Go back to the 1970s and as recent as the London bombings in 2012.
Any other nations who have gained their independence have never asked to be returned to their original countries.If the people of Scotland want more welfare cuts, ruled from Westminster, job losses, and unfair treatment of our nation , then I dare you never to be poor, ill, young, unemployed or old.
The Better Together campaign are scaremongering our nation. Scottish people have to realise that in the referendum we are NOT voting for any political party but to have the right to rule our own country . All I have heard from political parties has been the back stabbing of Alex Salmond for suggesting we can achieve independence . Joanne Lamont is one of the worst offenders. Having listen to her at the Labour Party Conference she put down Alex Salmond 23 times . ” Better Together “? More like “Bitter Together!”
Finally just to inform people I do NOT vote SNP – however I do want independence.
Stand up, Scotland and be a proud nation!
Anna Hutchison (by email)
Independence? Posing the question through drama
That referendum – made your mind up yet? If leaflets, TV debates and party political broadcasts leave you unmoved, maybe a drama performance will spark some interest and generate debate? Inverleith CLD worker Callum McLeod is certainly enthusiastic about a forthcoming event:
I’ve attached a poster advertising performances by Inverleith Youth Theatre which will take place in Broughton High School and North Edinburgh Arts theatres of in two weeks time (details in the poster).
The ‘Stuck In The Middle’ storyline concerns a teenage male’s journey and his subsequent thoughts towards becoming “Independent”. However, I’m sure the audience will find various other messages and subplots – and perhaps even a wider social issue for them to explore through the watching the performance!
We’re also planning the event so that there’ll be space at the end for discussion and so folk will have time to discuss the piece further, and share their thoughts with other audience members – and we do imagine that the subject matter will carry over for some time!
Without doubt, I’m slightly biased towards Inverleith Youth Theatre’s performances but they are usually of a good standard and so I can honestly say that I’m sure this will be a fab performance and well worth attending!
The main aim of the performance is to get as many people as possible talking and thinking about the actual issues raised, so we’ve made the event free. We’ll still be taking donations though as this youth group are trying to take it’s members – and the performance – to a youth drama camp over the summer, so any contributions towards this will be welcomed!
Inverleith Youth Theatre’s ‘Stuck In The Middle’ performance dates:
Tuesday 16 April 7pm Broughton High School
and
Thursday 18 April 7pm North Edinburgh Arts
Callum McLeod
Inverleith CLD, Broughton High School
