Scotland is moving forwards towards independence, and this week has seen another important step on that historic journey.
Our publication of the consultation paper on the referendum we will hold in the autumn of 2014 outlines the mechanics of the voting process, and I know it will elicit a very enthusiastic response from civic Scotland and the population at large. The document sets out in clear and precise terms how the referendum will be held, and most importantly of all proposes the question the Scottish Government wishes to put to the people: “Do you agree that Scotland should be an independent country?” That question could not be more clear, straightforward and fair, a point I am pleased to see has been acknowledged by many commentators and indeed some in other parties, whatever their views on independence itself.
There are, inevitably, some voices among the anti-independence camp who have cried foul at the question – but really, what are they afraid of? It seems they know they are losing the argument and they are now scared stiff of losing the referendum.
Make no mistake, the eyes of the world have been on Scotland as we embark on the next stage of our home rule journey, with dozens of journalists from all around the globe present at the launch of the consultation in Edinburgh Castle. These international visitors simply highlight the global interest in Scotland rejoining the family of independent nations – many of whom have become independent in recent decades.
As I said to the Holyrood chamber when I made my parliamentary statement outlining the consultation, when the UN was formed there were only around 50 independent countries in the world – now there are almost 200, many of them smaller than Scotland. And, of the ten countries that joined the European Union in its most recent big expansion in 2004, half a dozen have become independent since 1990, and the same number are smaller nations that Scotland.
Far from running counter to international trends of integration and cooperation, as some of the anti-independence camp try to assert, Scotland’s constitutional progress is clearly running with the grain of history, as more and more nations seek independence in an interdependent world.
With independence Scotland will take its place as a member of that international community, while continuing as a friend and good neighbour to the other nations of these islands.
But while I welcome the international interest, it is the people of Scotland who need to have their say – so I urge as many people as possible to have their say on the referendum process in the consultation the Scottish Government has launched. That is especially important in a discussion about how the substantial body of opinion in Scotland that favours greatly increased powers for Holyrood short of independence might have its views properly reflected in the referendum. Now that the Scottish Parliament has reaffirmed the Claim of Right, asserting the right of the people to choose the form of government they wish, it is crucial the options open to people are not constrained by Westminster string-pulling.
And while the consultation currently underway is an important one, it is only a discussion about process and the mechanics of the referendum – the real debate will be on the issue of independence itself and why it will unlock that huge potential Scotland has. So I also look forward to the people having their say in the referendum itself – and I look forward to independence day. Because independence will finally give Scotland the opportunity, long denied, to reach its full potential as a nation and as a society.
Independence will mean decisions about what happens in Scotland and for Scotland are taken by the people who care most about Scotland, that is the people living, working and bring up their families here – no one else can do a better job.
The people of Scotland will be in charge. Our future, our resources, our opportunities will be in our hands. Independence will give us, the people of Scotland, the opportunity to make decisions in Scotland’s best interests. And that means we will be able to make Scotland the country we all know it can be – a wealthier and fairer nation. A country that speaks with its own voice, stands taller in the world, and takes responsibility for its own future.
Independence is about Scotland rejoining the family of nations in our own right. We can be both independent and inter-dependent – we can stand on our own two feet, while working closely with other nations, our friends and neighbours. Independence is what we seek as individuals. It is the natural state for people and nations around the world. Not being independent is the exception. The Parliament in Edinburgh already takes all the important decisions when it comes to running our schools, hospitals, police and much else besides.
Independence will mean we are also responsible for raising our own money.
Scotland is a land of unlimited potential. Our culture, history and reputation for innovation are renowned throughout the world, our universities are world class and our energy resources are unrivalled in Europe. Indeed, on current figures we would have the sixth highest wealth per head in the developed world. At the same time as the UK’s debt has now smashed through the £1tr barrier, Scotland has a £1tr asset base in the shape of North Sea oil and gas.
With independence we will have a new social union with the other nations of these islands. We will keep the pound and will continue to share Her Majesty the Queen as Head of State. But we won’t have our young servicemen and women dragged into illegal wars like Iraq, and we won’t have nuclear weapons based in Scottish waters.
I want Scotland to be independent not because I think we are better than any other country but because I know we are just as good as any other country.
As I said when I spoke to the international media who came to Scotland for the consultation launch, the Great Hall of Edinburgh Castle was an appropriate place to launch the great debate we must now have as a nation as we look forward to the historic choice facing us as a nation. Let that great debate begin.