Scottish Independence
Guide: Scottish Independence News
SNP
LAUNCH 'PROGRAMME FOR REAL SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT'
Scottish National Party leader
Mr Alex Salmond has launched the Party’s
manifesto for the Scottish Parliament election on 3 May.
Mr Salmond said: "For the
first time in Scottish political history, the SNP are publishing our
election manifesto when we have a clear lead in the polls. This is more
than a manifesto – it is a programme for government, with a real
opportunity to be implemented in government.
“The SNP manifesto is a programme for delivery. We
have heard people’s concerns, and that’s why we offer the fresh thinking
and a new approach on education, health, crime, and the economy needed to
take Scotland forward.
“For the last eight years, the SNP have had a
Scottish administration – but we have not had a real Scottish Government.
Labour and the Lib Dems have been in office but not in power.
“The SNP have an overwhelming interest in building
success in Scotland. By showing that we can govern well in the devolved
areas, we will build the case for Scotland to be governed equally well in
all areas. A successful SNP government will build credibility and then
offer Scots the opportunity to choose independence in a democratic
referendum.
“We believe that Scottish communities can be safer,
and families across Scotland wealthier. The SNP manifesto offers fresh
thinking and a new approach. I have no doubt that Scotland can be more
successful. And as First Minister I will do everything in my power to
create the right conditions for Scots and Scotland to flourish.”
The SNP Manifesto is available
online here:
http://www.snp.org/policies
FIRE BRIGADE UNION
BACKS SNP
The Fire Brigades Union is
to back SNP candidates in the Holyrood election. The news emerged as
Labour leader Jack McConnell prepared to address the Scottish Trades Union
Congress in Glasgow. It's a further blow
for Labour after Unison, Scotland's biggest union, announced it would not endorse the
party.
SNP leader Alex Salmond said it had only been a
matter of time before the tide began to turn. He said: "Labour can't take
anybody's support for granted any more. When you
think of what New Labour has done in terms of public services and the
private finance initiative then it's not surprising they have alienated so
many people."
It is the first time the party has had support of
this kind from any trade union. Justice spokesman Kenny MacAskill, who is
fighting Edinburgh East & Musselburgh and is top of the Lothians list, has
been given £500 and West Lothian council group leader Peter Johnston £250.
The FBU, which disaffiliated from the Labour Party
in 2004, said it had made a number of donations to candidates from a range
of parties who had been helpful to it in the past or had given commitments
for future action. The STUC's general council
agreed by just one vote to back Labour in the May 3 elections.
SNP deputy leader Nicola Sturgeon, also visiting the
STUC, attacked Labour's use of private finance initiatives for public
projects.
SHERIDAN DRIVES HOME
HIS MESSAGE
Tommy Sheridan showed his
media savvy credentials yesterday when he
unveiled the Solidarity party
political broadcast in the Iron Horse bar in Glasgow. With the help of
film makers Peter Mullan and Davie McKay, viewers are given a
dashboard-style view as Sheridan sits in his car expounding his beliefs in
much the same way had he been at a rally in George Square. "We believe in
waging war against poverty and inequality, not against people on the other
side of the world," he declares.
With a nod to the recent furore over the bugging of
his car, his tirade ends with a knowing sign-off: "I don't care who's
recording this." During the post-video
questions, Solidarity's leader showed that he was more than aware of his
public image and willing to make the most of it. "There's nae slick
make-up or technical back-up. It's just in-your-face rawness, honesty," he
said.
"People may think there's a bit of a caricature
there. We hope some people will say, 'For Christ's sake, we see him
ranting in the streets, ranting in the parliament, he even rants in his
motor'. But the message that comes across is clear."
Colin Fox
SOCIALISTS BID FOR
INDEPENDENCE
The Scottish Socialist Party
has launched its Holyrood manifesto with a commitment to an independent
Scotland. The left-wing party also outlined its plans for free,
Scotland-wide public transport, in the battle to fight climate change.
The SSP was co-founded by its former leader Tommy Sheridan, who has
set up rival socialist party Solidarity.
The SSP said that, whatever the outcome of the
election, it would push for an independence referendum within a year. The
party insisted that a Scotland-wide free public transport network was an
idea "whose time has come", and that radical action was needed to move
hundreds of thousands of travellers from private cars to public transport.
The SSP said it would cost £1bn a year to introduce
the free system and expanded services, fully accessible to disabled
travellers, as well as bringing buses and railways into public ownership.
Part of the plan would see the Scotrail franchise transferred to a
publicly-owned Scottish national rail company and fares for all rail
journeys within Scotland scrapped.
This would happen when the franchise expired in
2011. Party leader Colin Fox said: "Our call for free public transport,
independence and wealth redistribution is going down a storm.
Our manifesto is an unashamed socialist programme that would make a
massive difference to the millions of Scots."
Mr Fox added: "You won't find any big businesses
backing the SSP."
The party said a parliamentary bill would be brought
forward to re-regulate Scotland's buses before setting up a publicly-owned
bus group, divided into 10 regional companies. A further phase would see
the removal of bus, underground, and passenger ferry fares.
Elsewhere, the SSP said it would build 25,000 new
homes for social rent every year, financed by the abolition of councils'
housing debt which, the party claimed, would generate £2bn over four
years.
Scottish Socialists would also push for free school
meals, the costs of which they claimed would be "negligible" when set
against the overall Scottish budget, and replace council tax with an
income-related alternative.
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JAMES CONNOLLY
SOCIETY TO END ANNUAL MARCH
Jim Slaven of the James Connolly Society
The James Connolly Society has decided to abandon
its annual march commemorating one of the leading figures in the struggle
against British rule in Ireland, who was born in
Edinburgh. Officials say the changing political situation in Northern
Ireland and efforts to curb sectarianism in Scotland are behind the
move.The march has attracted up to 3000 participants in recent years.
Trouble has regularly flared at the event, which
was twice banned by the local authority in the
early 1990s after counter-demonstrators turned up.
The James Connolly Society was also behind a
demonstration that saw a band of protesters
scale barriers and run towards the Queen's carriage as it
travelled up the Royal Mile before the opening of the Scottish
Parliament in 1999.
However, the Connolly march - the biggest Republican
parade in Scotland - has passed off peacefully for the past few years,
following the introduction of a shortened route
including King Stables Road, the Grassmarket and the Cowgate.
Spokesman Jim Slaven said: "We've been carrying out
extensive consultation with our members since
the beginning of the year, and have decided not to continue the march.
"We want to contribute to the whole process that is
going on in Ireland of moving away from conflict
and towards reconciliation. Things are moving at quite a pace and the
political situation is changing all the time. "We also want to make a
commitment to the ongoing efforts to eradicate sectarianism in Scotland,
and we also believe that it would be better for us to concentrate our
future efforts on commemorating James Connolly's life in Scotland, rather
than his death."
Council leader Ewan Aitken said: "We want to stamp
out sectarianism in Scotland and some people are of the view that these
kinds of parades help fuel it. I am encouraged this group has chosen to
look at other ways of expressing their views about the life of James
Connolly. We would be interested to hear any proposals that they bring
forward."
However, Mr Slaven vowed to step up efforts to
persuade the city council to officially recognise Connolly, who was
executed for his part in the Easter Rising
against British troops in 1916. Mr Slaven said the society wanted part of
the Cowgate renamed "Little Ireland" in Connolly's memory, and some form
of memorial created there. He said the society
was also planning to set up a James Connolly Trust, a
registered charity, to support "social projects" across the city,
and to create a website highlighting the activist's links to Edinburgh,
together with the instigation of a high-profile
annual James Connolly lecture. There are even plans to launch regular
tours around relevant sites, such as his
birthplace in the Cowgate, where he lived in the West Port, and the
Meadows, where he gave some of his most famous speeches.
Mr Slaven said: "It is a disgrace that Connolly is
not officially recognised in Edinburgh, and after the election we will be
writing to the council asking them to address the situation. We want to
help create a better understanding of cultural and political backgrounds
in Scotland. James Connolly was very much part of Edinburgh's history and
there is no reason why there shouldn't be some form of proper
memorial in the city."
DOUGIE MACLEAN BACKS INDEPENDENCE FIRST - WILL SING AT RALLY
TOP SCOTTISH
MUSICIAN DOUGIE MACLEAN has given Independence First the following message
of support and will sing 'Caledonia' (listen to the song on the
music page) at the rally:
"To have a
referendum on independence, presented with clarity and simplicity, would
be the best way to let the people of Scotland speak. It is indeed our
democratic right. I have long been a believer in independence for Scotland
and support the Independence 1st campaign, agreeing with all eleven points
spelt out in their charter. It would be wonderful for Scottish self
confidence for independence to be achieved in our lifetime...but it must
be the will of a good majority of the Scottish people... so a referendum
must come first."
www.independence1st.com
FORMER IRISH FOREIGN
MINISTER BACKS SCOTTISH INDEPENDENCE
Former Irish Foreign Minister and Member of the
European Parliament Mr Gerry Collins has said that an independent Scottish
voice in the European Union would be good for both the EU and Scotland.
The two-times Irish Foreign Minister said that newly independent states
were thriving and there was no reason why Scotland could not do the same.
He endorsed Alex Salmond’s call for Scotland to join the ‘Arc of
Prosperity’ of independent states running from Ireland to the Nordic
countries.
Mr Collins said that small independent countries
were thriving and benefiting from independent membership. He said that the
EU required a “strong independent voice” for Scotland. Writing in
a Scottish newspaper, Mr Collins says:
“The new reality in Europe is reflected on a global
level. In 1945, there were only 51 members of the new UN. In our new
century, there are nearly 200 independent UN members - and more than 30 of
these have emerged since the end of the Cold War. So, as our world has
become more complex and interconnected, the need for nations to be
independent with a direct say in regional and global affairs has become
ever more important. Thus in the modern world, the processes of
independence and interdependence are mutually supportive and reinforcing.
The growth of the European Union is a key post-war development requiring a
distinctive and strong Scottish voice. With 5 million people and links the
world over, Scotland is well placed to thrive in Europe in its own right."
"There is no reason why it cannot match the success
of Ireland and its other neighbours in the arc of prosperity and beyond.
Also, as Europe comes together to meet the challenges of the 21st century,
such as those posed by increased energy demand and climate change, it is
vital all voices are heard. It would be good for Scotland and good for
Europe for it to have a strong independent voice in asserting its own
views and interests.”
Mr Collins’ remarks were welcomed by SNP Foreign
Affairs Spokesperson Mr Angus Robertson MP who said:
“Gerry Collins is one of our foremost European
statesmen who knows first hand the benefits of independence for small
countries. Increasingly, countries that are similar to Scotland in size
are thriving in Europe, where they enjoy the benefits of having a voice to
speak up for their interests. Yet in Europe today we know from the
Scottish Executive’s own leaked report that Ministers are barred from the
decision making process, even suffering the indignity of being sent to
‘listening rooms’.
“Our partners in Europe see the need for an
independent Scottish voice. The SNP will make sure that Scotland has the
strong voice that it needs and deserves.”
Note:
Gerry Collins is a significant figure in Irish
and European circles, his political biography is as follows:
Fianna Fail TD from 1967-1997
Minister for Posts and Telegraphs (1970-73)
Minister for Justice (1977-1981 & 1987-1989)
Minister for Foreign Affairs (1982 & 1989-1992)
MEP from 1994 to 2004
ERIC CANNING ELECTED
CONVENOR OF INDEPENDENCE FIRST
Eric Canning - Pictured at the launch of the
Edinburgh Independence First branch with fellow IF activist Lloyd Quinan
At the AGM of Independence First
in Perth on Saturday the 10th of March 2007, Eric Canning was elected as
Honorary Convenor of the organisation. Eric is also the General Secretary
of the Communist party of Scotland. Joe Middleton Press Officer of IF (who
was re-elected at the meeting) welcomed his appointment. "Eric
Canning brings a wealth of experience to this role. He is a hugely
respected figure in Scottish politics and he played a leading role in the
establishment of devolution as vice convenor of the Devolution
Convention."
Full list of office bearers is as
follows:
Honorary Convenor: Eric Canning
Treasurer: Niall Aslen
Secretary: Sheena McGregor
Press Officer: Joe Middleton
Membership Secretary: Keri Coull
BUSINESS TYCOON
SOUTER GIVES SNP 500K TO BEAT LABOUR
SNP hopes of winning power
at Holyrood received a major boost yesterday after one of Scotland's
richest men announced he was giving £500,000 to the
party. Stagecoach tycoon Brian Souter rounded off a bad week for
Labour with his donation, which takes the SNP's election war chest to an
unprecedented £1.4m. The sum makes it likely that the
Scottish Nationalists, already riding high in the polls, can
outspend Labour during the campaign, and increases the prospects of SNP
leader Alex Salmond winning the keys to Bute House in May.
Souter backed up his donation with an outspoken
attack on Labour, claiming "fears and smears" about independence were
"insulting to the intelligence and self-respect of Scots". Current polling
suggests the SNP are eight points clear of Labour. A recent ICM poll put
the SNP on 36%, Labour on 28%, and the Lib Dems and Conservatives on 18%
each.
In a statement, Souter said: "It is time for
declaration and choice in Scotland, and in my opinion the SNP are now
ready to form a Scottish government with attractive policies which address
enterprise and social concern.
"The fears and smears about independence are
insulting to both the intelligence and self-respect of Scots. We are a
distinct society and ancient European nation who have a right to
self-determination, and I believe we can become a great nation again."
Souter added: "As long as I can remember, the case
for the Union has been financed by cash from London and, indeed, from
elsewhere, whilst the case for independence has lacked resources. I hope
my donation of £500,000 will help redress this imbalance.
"The time has come for Alex Salmond, who is clearly
the best leader, to deliver a dynamic government in Scotland which will
respect our past, respond to our present problems and reflect the future
aspirations of the Scottish people."
A source close to Souter said: "Six weeks ago,
Lakshmi Mittal gave £2m to Labour. [Brian] said they are going to try to
buy the election in Scotland. So he decided: in for a penny, in for a
pound."
Souter's statement represents his first major foray
into politics since 2000, when he bankrolled the controversial bid to
prevent the repeal of Section 28, the law which banned the promotion of
homosexuality in schools. However, his spokesman last night insisted that
he would not be gaining special favours from the SNP for his donation. "We
do not expect any favours or peerages," he said.
Salmond announced the donation to delegates gathered
for the party's pre-election conference at Glasgow Science Centre. Later
he added: "The significance of this announcement is clear. The days of
Labour outspending the SNP with money from their London HQ - such as the
new Mittal millions - are over."
The announcement rounded off a miserable 48 hours
for Labour and comes amid further claims that Labour's own campaign team
is split between the party's Scottish and UK wings.
A source close to Labour's election campaign admitted there were
serious disagreements about how to combat the SNP. "There's Jack
[McConnell] and his team on one side and [Gordon] Brown's people on the
other, and each thinks the other is screwing up," the insider said. "If
something doesn't change, it's all over."
TOP BANKER
BACKS SCOTTISH NATIONAL PARTY
Sir George Mathewson, one
of Scotland's most influential business leaders, today declares his
support for the Scottish National Party and independence, handing Alex
Salmond a huge political boost ahead of the Holyrood election. The
endorsement by Sir George, who helped transform the Royal Bank of Scotland
into the world's fifth biggest bank, will play a crucial role in cementing
the nationalists' economic credibility.
Labour was planning to make it a key election issue,
trying to paint the SNP as a party whose policies would force financial
institutions and other big firms to flee the country, destroying the
Scottish economy. Tony Blair, the Prime Minister, was expected to repeat
such warnings at a party rally in Aberdeen today.
But Sir George's intervention deals a potentially
devastating blow to the Labour strategy. In a letter to The Scotsman, he
praises Mr Salmond as the "outstanding candidate" to be the next first
minister and accuses Labour of scaremongering about the SNP and of
creating a "fear culture" about independence.
Speaking to The Scotsman last night, Sir George
said: "The reality is I have been somewhat disappointed for some time with
work of the Scottish Parliament. Alex Salmond and the SNP offer the best
choice.
"I have never really seen myself as a political
figure, but all I will say is I don't share the fear culture that some
people think we should have." In one of his most devastating comments, he
dismisses as "absurd" claims that Scotland should remain in the UK to
retain English investors - an argument used in the past by Gordon Brown,
the Chancellor.
In his letter, Sir George delivers a withering
assessment of Holyrood under Jack McConnell as First Minister, saying the
Scottish Parliament has "consistently disappointed since its creation" and
decrying the "lack of high quality leadership". In contrast to other
business leaders, who last month delighted Labour leaders when they
questioned the impact that breaking up the Union would have on Scottish
investment and employment, Sir George said he had no fears about
independence. "It's difficult to forecast the future, but I see no
circumstance where independence would be a serious [economic]
disadvantage," he said.
In his letter, he dismisses the SNP's political
rivals whom he accuses of wanting to keep the status quo for their own
self- interest. In an interview with The
Scotsman in January, Mr Brown warned that the disintegration of the United
Kingdom could threaten the 125,000 Scottish jobs in the financial services
sector, as nearly three-quarters of its work is for English clients. He
and Mr Blair have consistently warned independence would be "disastrous"
for Scottish jobs and economic growth.
However, Sir George dismisses the argument that
Scotland's financial services would lose investment from England under
independence, saying that Scotland had embraced globalisation. He writes:
"I do not share the fear of independence which is currently being fostered
by those who have most to lose by a change in the status quo and those who
see Scotland as a source of safe seats, thus guaranteeing their rule over
the UK.
"In addition, comments that have been made on access
to the English market are patently absurd. Currently, a huge proportion of
the English financial services market is supplied by companies in the US,
in Holland, Germany, Ireland, etc. Globalisation is here and Scottish
companies have embraced it and indeed have benefited from it."
He also makes it clear that personality matters in
the battle for Holyrood, saying: "The outstanding candidate must be Alex
Salmond."
Sir George, who masterminded RBS's £20 billion
takeover of NatWest in 2000, is the most prominent business leader to
endorse the SNP. The Perthshire-based businessman, is a director of
Scottish Investment Trust, on the board of directors of the Institute of
International Finance and the president of the International Monetary
Conference.
Business support for the SNP mirrors the party's
growing popularity among the more prosperous AB socio-economic group. In
the latest ICM poll for The Scotsman, the SNP was backed by 35 per cent of
top earners - more than any other party.
Mr Salmond, a former RBS economist, told The
Scotsman he was "absolutely delighted" to secure the endorsement of Sir
George, whom he described as "a figure of outstanding achievement and
enormous influence". He said: "Sir George personifies success in business
and public service that we want to see for the whole of Scotland.
He speaks with great knowledge, authority and credibility, and I am
enormously encouraged that he has decided to make his views public."
The SNP leader said his party had spent the past
year seeking feedback on its Let Scotland Flourish campaign to boost the
economy, and Sir George had given support to the proposals.
His achievements in Scottish business over the last generation are
extraordinary, and his support is indicative of the SNP moving forward
across every part of Scottish society," he said.
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