MSPs today (15/11) voted down calls for Holyrood to debate holding a referendum on Scottish independence. The campaign group Independence First had put forward a petition to the Scottish Parliament on the issue.

It attracted more than 1,300 signatures in support and called on MSPs to debate what the Parliament could do to bring about an early referendum but members of Holyrood's Public Petitions Committee voted by six to three to simply note the petition and close it, taking no further action.

Sandra White, the Nationalist MSP for the Glasgow region, had wanted to find out ministers' views on the matter. She insisted: "I think the Scottish Parliament does have the powers to look at this, setting up a referendum. There's nothing to stop the Scottish Parliament arranging for a referendum because that would not involve a change in the law."

That was supported by former SNP member Campbell Martin. Mr Martin, now an independent MSP for the West of Scotland, said the unionist parties should not be scared of holding such a vote. He said: "If you are not scared of democracy and people power, I don't see why you shouldn't ask the people this question and why the Scottish Parliament should not play a part in doing that. Let's ask the Executive whether it can do anything to facilitate such a referendum and what its position would be."

But Jackie Baillie, the Labour MSP for Dumbarton, argued Scots had had their say on the issue at last year's general election. She said: "At the last democratic opportunity for people to voice their opinion on this, the general election, I believe the share of the vote for parties supporting independence dropped substantially."

And committee convener Michael McMahon pointed out people would also have the chance to make their feelings known at next year's Scottish Parliament elections.

He said: "We will have a debate called an election, political parties will be elected, some of them will say: 'We will have a referendum.' If the outcome of that is that those parties win, then they can take that issue up and they can debate it."

He spoke out against the idea of writing to the Executive on the matter, saying: "At the present time the Scottish Executive doesn't support independence. There's no point in us writing to the Executive for the Executive to tell us exactly what we already know."

Afterwards Joe Middleton, the media officer for Independence First commented: "Actually, support for independence supporting parties went up, not down at the last election."

“It is a great pity that the executive has decided to ignore all the people who signed our e-petition, not to mention the two and a half million people who according to opinion polls support independence. The idea that the results of the last election gave a clear indication of the public's thoughts on constitutional change is entirely false - as we made clear in our written submission to the committee.

People vote for political parties for a variety of different reasons. Independence is supported by individuals on the left and right of politics and some of those people support Labour, Tories and Lib Dems. The only way to get a clear idea of the Scottish public's desires on independence is to ask them directly. This executive isn't asking because it doesn't think it will like the answer.”

GLASGOW INDEPENDENCE FIRST BRANCH LAUNCH

Independence First are to launch a Glasgow branch on Sunday the 19th of November at an STUC fringe meeting. (1pm - 4pm STUC Buildings Glasgow)

Confirmed speakers include:

Isobel Lindsay (Scottish Labour Party)

Martha Wardrop (Scottish Green Party)

Jamie Hepburn (Scottish National Party)

Wullie McGartland (Scottish Socialist Party)

Ken Ferguson (NUJ but speaking as an individual)

Joe Middleton (Independence First)

Pete Murray

(and possibly Rose Gentle)

In the chair will be Eric Canning (of the Communist Party of Scotland)

All welcome.

WORRIED BLAIR ATTACKS SCOTTISH INDEPENDENCE HOPES

Tony Blair has urged voters not to "rip Scotland out of the UK", saying full independence would be disastrous. Asked about a poll which suggested 51% of Scots favoured independence, Mr Blair said he would have to persuade them otherwise.

He blamed nationalists for trying to claim voters were only "true Scots" if they were backing independence. But Scottish National Party leader Alex Salmond said Mr Blair was "out of touch with public opinion in Scotland."

Mr Blair told his monthly press conference: "To end up having a separate Scottish currency, separate Scottish armed forces, separate Scottish economy when we are so integrated together would be disastrous for people.

"I think that when this debate progresses, it's not just that people will realise the folly of the SNP position."

Six months before the Scottish parliamentary elections, polls suggest the SNP is neck and neck with Labour - which rules in coalition with the Liberal Democrats.

Asked about a poll in the Scotsman paper at his monthly press conference on Monday, Mr Blair said it showed he would have to engage with Scottish voters, to persuade them of the benefits of remaining in the UK. But he said increasing Holyrood's powers was not the answer.

"What I think it's about is the attempt by the SNP and others to say: 'You're only truly Scottish, in inverted commas, if you are making the case for independence," he said.

"But that's rubbish. The question is what's in the best interests of Scotland and what's in the best interest of Scotland is to have a strong Scotland within the United Kingdom, where you have the benefits of devolution.

"You take your local decisions in relation to law and order, education, health and so on, but at the same time you get the benefits, as we do in England, of being part of the UK."

He said both England and Scotland benefited from shared trade, currency, armed forces and social security systems. You rip Scotland out of the UK, which is the SNP policy, you will lose those benefits," he said.

"You will end up with an uncertain economic future with less power for people in Scotland to effect the big changes that are happening in the world."

In response, Mr Salmond said: "The more the prime minister attacks independence, the more popular it becomes. I urge him to continue in a similar vein.

"Labour's negative smears and fears campaign simply isn't working in the face of the SNP's positive case for Scottish independence."

He said most Scots wanted more powers for Holyrood and said there was a "clear consensus" for an independent Scotland.

SNP RELEASE VIDEO PODCAST TO MARK SIX MONTHS TO POLL

SNP leader Alex Salmond today urged Scots to match the success of Ireland, Norway and Iceland - all of them in the top six richest nations in the world. In a video podcast released to mark six months until polling on 3 May 2007, Mr Salmond argued that Scotland must become part of a northern European "arc of prosperity" with a stronger economy, better public services and a fairer society.

The video podcast - the first in a series of monthly broadcasts by the SNP leader in the run-up to next year's crucial Holyrood elections – shows the efforts being made by the Party to reach out to key voter groups ahead of polling. With an estimated one in four 25-40 year olds with iPods, the SNP is using this media to target graduates and young professionals. Polling confirms this age group as the strongest supporters of Independence, and the SNP is wooing these voters with a pledge to lift the burden of student debt from thousands of young Scots and their families.

MAJORITY BACKS SCOTTISH INDEPENDENCE

The SNP today welcomed an opinion poll suggesting a majority of Scots now favour independence. Nationalists are also on track to win more constituency votes than Labour in next May's elections, according to the poll.

SNP Holyrood leader Nicola Sturgeon claimed the ICM poll for The Scotsman showed Labour "floundering" and her party gaining momentum. But Labour downplayed the findings and said SNP support would slip back.

The poll findings are said to be the first time since 1998 that support for independence has passed the 50% mark. It puts it at 51%, compared to 39% against and 10% don't knows.

On voting intentions, the poll puts the SNP ahead of Labour, at 32% compared to 30%, for the constituency vote.

Both parties are level-pegging at 28% for the list vote. The Liberal Democrats and Tories come 15% and 14% respectively in constituency voting intentions, and 17% and 14% on the list vote.

The Greens score 3% in the constituency vote and 6% in list voting, while the SSP is at 4% in both. Nicola Sturgeon said "This election is a two-horse race between the tired, rudderless Labour Party under Mr McConnell and a fresh-thinking SNP with Alex Salmond as our candidate for First Minister.

"There is much for us to do before the election next May, but it's clear that the Scottish people are increasingly convinced that it's time for a change in Scotland, and the SNP are the only party that can deliver the progress people here are crying out for."

She said the poll also showed the failure of Labour's "tired scaremongering" on independence.

"While McConnell and Brown are busy wrapping themselves in the Union Jack, more and more Scots believe that it's time for the Parliament in Holyrood to have the same powers as the parliaments of successful independent counties such as Norway and Ireland," said Ms Sturgeon.

Labour MSP Duncan McNeil commented: "The choice voters will face is between investment in schools and the NHS with Labour, or separation and isolation with the Nationalists. It is difficult to see how levels of support for the SNP can remain at this level."

BROWN EXERTS PRESSURE ON CARDINAL TO CHANGE VIEW ON SCOTTISH INDEPENDENCE

'Charm Offensive' more offensive than charm say insiders

England Fan Gordon Brown

LABOUR'S hierarchy has begun a behind-the-scenes offensive to persuade the leader of Scotland's Roman Catholics that his controversial backing for independence was wrong. Chancellor Gordon Brown is among senior Labour figures who have met Cardinal Keith O'Brien in recent weeks, as part of a coordinated effort to heal relations, after the churchman caused a political storm by praising the benefits of Scottish autonomy.

The comments caused panic in Labour ranks, prompting fears that his words could persuade thousands of Scottish Catholics to back the SNP at next year's Holyrood elections. Now senior party figures are beating a path to the door of Scotland's Catholic leaders, seeking to persuade them that Labour still offers a voice to churchgoers.

Brown met O'Brien for talks two weeks ago and raised the Cardinal's backing for independence. One of the Chancellor's closest allies, Scottish Secretary Douglas Alexander, has also had private talks with one of O'Brien's bishops, Philip Tartaglia of Paisley, in another attempt to heal divisions.

And last week a delegation of Catholic Labour MSPs had further private talks with O'Brien, where they set out their claims that Labour represents the Catholic community best. However, one source described the charm offensive as "more offensive than charm".

A source close to Brown said that the Chancellor had used his meeting to pressurise O'Brien over his comments on independence. "There was a question of whether he [O'Brien] had really thought it through," the insider said.

Defence Secretary Des Browne is also expected to meet Cardinal O'Brien, having agreed to collect a petition, signed by O'Brien, calling for the scrapping of Britain's nuclear deterrent.

These meetings are in addition to talks which the Cardinal held with First Minister Jack McConnell last week, when he visited the Scottish Parliament to meet all party leaders.

The frenzied activity - by some of Labour's most senior national figures - offers a clear sign of the party's growing fear that the Cardinal's comments on independence could spark a flood of support for the SNP.

The row began last month when the Cardinal declared that, if it was the wish of the people, he would be "happy" to see Scotland become independent. Referring to countries such as Norway and Denmark, he also acknowledged the "prosperity which self-determination can bring". He expressed his frustration with the powers of the Scottish Parliament, arguing that many Scots "have no wish to pay for or host these evil weapons, yet we have no power to remove them".

The comments were greeted with euphoria within the SNP, which has long sought to coax the largely Labour-voting Catholic community in Scotland away from its traditional political home. Labour politicians reacted with fury, however, believing that their support for Catholic Church demands, especially on the future of Catholic schools, had been thrown back in their faces.

One Labour insider added: "We're pointing out to him that many of the things that Labour has sought to do, the SNP wouldn't. We have backed Catholic schools. We have also listened to their concerns on gay adoption. Does he really think all the other parties do that?"

A spokesman for the SNP described Labour's sudden move last night as "a few weeks too late". He added: "Labour is obviously feeling the pressure. This is a panic move by a desperate government on the way out."

Catholic Church insiders confirmed that Brown and other Labour leaders had stepped up their discussions in recent weeks. They described the various talks as "cordial". They said that discussions, particularly those with First Minister Jack McConnell, "had gone a long way to settling nerves".

US CONSUL INDICATES 'PROBABLE' UNHAPPINESS WITH INDEPENDENCE

The US government has signalled a greater interest  in Scottish politics after a senior diplomat said the Bush administration would “probably” prefer independence not to happen. Lisa Vickers, the new US consul in Scotland, questioned the effect of independence on American energy firms and criticised the SNP’s anti-Nato policy. She also speculated about whether an independent Scotland would become a member of the European Union.

The official’s comments are considered controversial because independence looks set to be the key issue during next year’s Holyrood election campaign. An opinion poll last week found a majority of Scots favoured breaking up Britain and revealed the SNP was ahead in the popular vote.

The Nationalists’ flagship policy is to hold a referendum on independence during their first four-year term in government. Their election hopes were boosted in recent weeks by a £100,000 donation from businessman Sir Tom Farmer and encouragement from the leader of Scotland’s Catholics, Cardinal Keith O’Brien, who said he expected independence “before too long”.

But the independence debate has taken an unexpected turn in the light of the comments made by Vickers, the US government’s “voice” in Scotland. In an interview with the Sunday Herald, she said the US would “probably” prefer the UK to remain united and insisted there were “various elements” of the SNP’s independence policy that had not been fully explained.

“Would an independent Scotland be a member of Nato? They don’t know. [actually SNP policy is that they would leave] Would they be in the EU? They don’t know,” [again SNP policy is that they would remain in the EU] she said. “I don’t think the SNP is willing to say with 100% confidence and security that ‘this is what will happen with independence, and this is how you will be, and this is what will belong to you.’”

She added: “I think there are a lot of questions. And I think that, right now, there are not a lot of answers.”

The official’s comments provide insights into the US government’s view on constitutional politics in Scotland. Although Vickers said there were “pros and cons” to separation, the US is not thought to favour independence because it would involve the break-up of its main international ally.

Such constitutional change could diminish the UK’s case for staying in the G8 and weaken the argument for a permanent seat in the UN Security Council.

SNP leader Alex Salmond accused Vickers of “inexperience” and criticised her comments.

“I am sure the US consul doesn’t have to be reminded of diplomatic protocol. It’s a curious position to put so much stress on your own country’s self- determination, and not to think it is important for other people. We have had some good American consuls in the past. I am quite sure that once she gets up to speed, then she will know a bit more of Scottish politics.”  

JACK STRAW: ENGLAND WOULD LOSE BY END OF UNION

This is from an interview on the BBC website: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/question_time/5388078.stm

Question from Stephen, London: As Leader of the Commons, how can having two Scottish MPs as the front runners for PM be democratic? Powers for most agencies including health, education etc have been devolved in Scotland, yet Mr Reid or Mr Brown would set the agenda for solely English matters when they represent Scottish constituencies.

Jack Straw:

English MPs control all the money which Scotland receives - is that 'fair'? England constitutes 85% of the UK's population and 87% of its wealth. It was English MPs who agreed to devolve some powers to Scotland in a Westminster Act of Parliament; but year by year controls over public spending levels for all of the UK continue to be exercised by Westminster. And power devolved is power retained, not ceded.

While the current Tory cry of "English votes on English laws" has a simplistic appeal, it is in reality unworkable, undesirable and dangerous. It would create a two-tier system of "ins and outs" that would be so complex and confusing as to be unworkable. How is it possible, for example, to distinguish between English "bits" of legislation and UK "bits"?

It isn't. The territorial extent of the clause in a bill - or part of a clause - cannot be conclusive, as so many "England only" decisions have plain implications for Scotland as well.

Hence, Vernon Bogdanor, perhaps the foremost constitutional expert in Britain, has claimed that the Tory proposals would "destroy the principle of collective responsibility, according to which government must stand or fall as a whole, commanding a majority on all the issues that come before Parliament, not just a selection.

It is difficult to see how Britain could be effectively governed in such circumstances." Moreover, it is difficult to see how the UK could remain united. The outcome of a break-up of the union would be calamitous. The United Kingdom - Great Britain and Northern Ireland - is a union which works to the equal benefit of all four nations of the union. The whole is greater than the sum of the parts.

Historically, England called the shots to achieve a union because the union was seen as a way, among others things, of amplifying England's power worldwide. And the reverse would certainly be true.

A broken-up United Kingdom would not be in the interests of Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland, but especially not England.

Our [England's] voting power in the European Union would diminish. We'd slip down in the world league GDP tables. Our case for staying in the G8 would diminish and there could easily be an assault on our permanent seat in the UN. [security council]

SCOTTISH CATHOLIC LEADER BACKS INDEPENDENCE

THE leader of Scotland's Roman Catholics last night backed independence from the UK, declaring he would be "happy" if Scots wanted self determination. Cardinal Keith O'Brien, in remarks that will cause shockwaves north and south of the Border, said nations such as Ireland and Denmark benefited from the "prosperity which self-determination can bring".

The 68-year-old cleric also voiced his frustration with the Scottish Parliament and predicted independence is coming "before too long".

O'Brien's comments have caused deep dismay in Labour ranks, with party sources expressing disappointment the Cardinal has chosen to stray on to such controversial political ground months before the Holyrood elections.

But there was predictable delight among the SNP, who closed their party conference yesterday in buoyant mood, convinced they can persuade Scots of the benefits of full independence at the ballot box next May.

O'Brien's remarks appear in an interview with the Catholic Herald newspaper and St Andrews University philosopher John Haldane.

Asked if the Church could be indifferent to a move towards independence in Scotland, he declared: "I would not get too involved in the politics of independence, but I am happy that, if it is the wish of the people, Scotland becomes an independent country."

He added: "In my travels I have had much experience of small countries and I have seen what benefits independence can bring.

"There is currently some frustration among the Scots about the say they have over what happens here, and that is part of what is pushing the independence movement. I can see this coming, perhaps not in the next few years, but before too long."

O'Brien concedes that, as the leader of a Scottish church which is itself independent from England, "it is difficult to argue that ecclesiastical independence is acceptable but political independence is not".

Asked by Scotland on Sunday to expand on his views, O'Brien talked up the advantages other small countries have experienced since getting independence.

He said: "Ireland would be an example of a country which has prospered since achieving independence. Additionally, other northern European countries such as Norway and Denmark exemplify the prosperity which self-determination can bring."

O'Brien also acknowledged the growth of nationalism across the nations of the UK. "I am aware of a growing sense of nationhood and national identity in England, exhibited recently during the World Cup campaign and reflected in the increasing appearance of the St George Cross at such sporting fixtures and other gatherings. In this context, Scottish national identity has always been strong. Ultimately multinational identities are harder to express than national ones."

He also picked out the current debate over the future of Britain's nuclear deterrent. O'Brien recently joined the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland in condemning plans to replace the UK's Trident system as "iniquitous, irrational and absurd".

He said: "The recent debate on Trident is instructive. The groundswell of feeling in Scotland against the Trident missile system has highlighted a deep sense of frustration among many Scots. We have no wish to pay for or host these evil weapons, yet we have no power to remove them."

SNP leader Alex Salmond said last night: "Scotland's Cardinal is a man of vision and stature. Obviously he avoids party politics, but I am delighted that he has issued such favourable signals about independence and self-determination for the nation."

SCOTLAND IS ONLY SMALL TO THOSE WHO THINK SMALL - ALEX SALMOND

Scottish National Party leader Alex Salmond has delivered his vision for victory at the Scottish election. Addressing the annual conference in Perth, he said the party was "alive, kicking and winning".

Mr Salmond, who is bidding to return to Holyrood as an MSP, also claimed that support for Scottish independence was at an all-time high. He set out his plans for health, education and the economy in a hall packed with more than 1,000 delegates.

Mr Salmond told the conference that the party had a "dramatic six months" ahead, before the Holyrood elections next May as he pointed out a string of local by-election victories.

The MP said: "Today we ride on the crest of a wave - this time, in our time - there shall be change for Scotland."

He continued: "Two years ago when Nicola (Sturgeon) and I came to lead this party, I told this conference that I was not here to go through the motions, but back to rid Scotland of a small-minded managerial administration and to deliver a vision capable of touching the very soul of Scotland.

"I am standing for first minister and we are running to win."

Mr Salmond, who was given a standing ovation before and after his speech, said an SNP government would give everyone a fair chance and make Scotland an international economic player. He said the burden of debt would be removed from Scottish-domiciled students and graduates and floated the idea of dedicated class teachers at secondary school.

He also raised the prospect of every home and school having a wind generator, solar panels or insulation system and gave backing to the world's first commercial carbon-capture hydro power station.

On health, Mr Salmond promised an inquiry into the problems surrounding Holyrood's flagship free personal care for the elderly policy and said there would be direct election of health board members.

And he again criticised the "illegal" war in Iraq, calling for British troops to be brought home.

He also launched an attack on Labour, branding its vision of Britishness "narrow, bland and boring" and criticised Jack Straw for having the "temerity to instruct his constituents on what to wear".

"Jack Straw - Alf Garnett without the braces," said Mr Salmond.

Then it was the chancellor's turn: "Gordon Brown wants to be British prime minister so he tells people to plant a Union Jack in his back garden and that Paul Gascoigne's goal against Scotland was his favourite moment," he added.

And Mr Salmond criticised First Minister Jack McConnell's often-used slogan that Scotland was "the best small country in the world".

"That one phrase encapsulates everything that is wrong with the first minister, with the executive and with our national tourist agency," he said.

"It combines the worst of what's like us with the worst of an inferiority complex.

"Scotland's only small to those who think small. It's time to think big."

See a video of the speech here

SNP PLEDGE TO INTRODUCE SCOTTISH OLYMPIC TEAM

ALEX Salmond unveiled plans yesterday for Scotland to have its own Olympic team, whether or not the country is independent. The SNP leader said that if he became First Minister next May, he would immediately start the process for Scotland to field its own team for the 2012 games.

Speaking on the first day of the SNP annual conference, Mr Salmond said there were already 13 states and territories which were not independent which had their own Olympic teams, so there was no reason Scotland could not join them.

Mr Salmond said the first step would be to convene a meeting of the governing bodies of Scotland's main sports to secure their support for the idea. If they gave their support, Mr Salmond would then approach the International Olympic Committee with a formal request for Scotland to have its own team in time for 2012 - whether or not Scotland had independence.

Mr Salmond acknowledged that there might be some athletes who preferred to compete in a British team but that is why he wanted to consult the sports administrators, to find a way through. And he argued that more Scots would have the chance to compete at the highest level with a Scottish team. He claimed that polls had shown that 78 per cent of the population backed a Scottish team.

Mr Salmond claimed that, at the last Olympics Scotland sent one athlete for every 210,000 citizens while New Zealand sent one for every 26,000 citizens.

He said: "The key thing in an Olympics is about participation and allowing a maximum amount of Scots to participate at the highest level."

Mr Salmond's plan amounts to a warning shot, fired across the bows of the BOA, showing that it that it might end up in a much worse position if it continues in its attempts to field a British football team in 2012.

"If we had a Scottish Olympic team, there would be no need for warfare between the BOA and the SFA and all athletes in all sports would have a better chance of being represented at a national level," he said.

INDEPENDENCE MOVEMENT UNITES FOR ‘DEMOCRACY FOR SCOTLAND’ RALLY

Photos from the march through Edinburgh and the subsequent demonstration outside the Scottish Parliament.

Campaigners who are calling for a referendum on Scottish independence have had a highly successful march and rally in Edinburgh on Saturday the 30th of September. The march and rally was for Independence First the Scottish independence referendum campaign. A spokesperson for the campaign said it was "a powerful message to the Scottish parliament that democracy will not be denied."

Around a thousand people marched behind a full pipe band from East Market Street onto Princes Street, up the mound, over George IV Bridge and down the Royal Mile to end up at a rally outside the Scottish Parliament. There was an excellent turnout of members of the public and political activists from all the various groups who support Scottish independence (including the four main pro-independence parties which have representatives in the Scottish parliament).

Independence First had distributed 10,000 leaflets for the event and had launched an e-petition through the Scottish Parliament, this e-petition is ongoing for another month.

Speakers at the after march rally included official representatives of the SNP, SSP, Greens and Solidarity parties plus Bill Wilson, Lloyd Quinan and Campbell Martin MSP as well as Scotia and Ted Christopher who provided musical entertainment.

The rally began with an outline of the situation that had led to the union by Dr Tony Parker an academic from the University of Dundee. Dr Parker pointed out that political control had been lost with the 1603 union of crowns as had trade with France. The English Government eventually effectively threatened Scotland with invasion after cutting off her trade routes and bribed the politicians of the day.

Bill Wilson of the SNP who spoke for Independence First pointed out that these politicians "fled through the back door" from an angry mob and the numerous petitions lodged by the Scottish public against the union. Wilson said the importance of Independence First was that it was broad enough to include absolutely everyone who supported independence and he also mentioned the e-petition IF are running through the Scottish Parliament (sign here).

Independence First activist Chris Osborne gave some of the history of Independence First and explained that the movement had started from initial internet discussions around a small group of activists who were deliberately drawn from different political opinions to think up ideas to promote independence. These ideas eventually solidified behind the referendum proposal as being the best route to achieve the maximum possible support for independence and the campaign had grown from there.

Tommy Sheridan MSP of Solidarity said that his vision was of a free socialist republic without nuclear weapons and he fully endorsed Independence First's call for a democratic referendum as the first step towards that aim. Carolyn Leckie of the SSP said that her commitment to Independence had been absolute ever since she was a young child and that Scottish independence was the key to unlocking a much fairer society.

Aileen Campbell of the Scottish National Party blasted the Liberal Democrats for ruling out an Independence Referendum "How can they call themselves Democrats?" she asked. "Make no mistake if we win an election we will hold our referendum and will win it for the people of Scotland" she pledged.  

Lloyd Quinan announced that the campaign had received supportive messages from other national independence groupings in the Basque Country, Catalonia and Corsica. "There is huge international support behind our cause. Our simple demand for a referendum on independence can be respected by any democrat. To a resounding cheer he said "I am Scottish not British". He added "Anything the British or Brutish Imperial State does, it doesn't do in my name or the name of the people of Scotland we need our own international voice."

Activists from all parties and groups were impressed by the organisation of the event and the substantial turnout. Douglas Blackie an SNP activist from Aberdeen commented "This was a fantastic day and a fantastic march. I'd say it was bigger than the SNP's Bannockburn marches, it's the best march I've seen for years."

Brian Archibald a Shop Steward from Midlothian commented "This was the broadest and most positive political demonstration I can remember from twenty years campaigning for independence." 

Joe Middleton Press Officer of Independence First said the march was "a powerful message to the Scottish parliament that democracy will not be denied for the people of Scotland." and he also said it proved the worth of having a campaign purely about support for a democratic referendum on independence.

"The great turnout here today proves that our campaign has genuine political weight. The next step will be to call for a million people to use their votes for independence in the first and second votes for the Scottish Parliament. One million people is not an awful lot of voters for a country our size and we believe it's well within the grasp of the independence movement if we work together."  

Note: Kev Williamson has uploaded a video of the march on his blog here and there is another film of the march here.

Email: media@independence1st.com if you have photos of the day.

CITY HONOUR BID FOR JAMES CONNOLLY

A path through one Edinburgh's beauty spots could be named after controversial Republican leader James Connolly, under plans being considered by council chiefs. A campaign is under way to have one of the main through routes in the Meadows named after city-born Connolly, one of the leading figures in the struggle against British rule in Ireland.

But the idea has provoked an angry reaction from unionist politicians who claim the move would be "inappropriate".

Connolly, who was executed for his part in the Easter Rising against British troops in 1916, is commemorated every year in Edinburgh with a parade through the city centre. But while is he is regarded as a hero in Ireland, he remains a controversial figure in the country of his birth for leading the rebellion at a time when thousands were dying in the trenches of World War I. The marches in his memory have often become flashpoints for sectarian violence.

Council planners are now set to be forced to rule on the request from the Edinburgh-based James Connolly Society. Senior councillors are already against the proposal, but a final decision will have to be taken in the next few months by the city's planning committee.

Jim Slaven, spokesman for the James Connolly Society in Edinburgh, said: "We made a formal request several months ago asking that one of the pathways through the Meadows be named after James Connolly. "We are still hopeful that this will be approved before the end of this year, which marks the 90th anniversary of Connolly's death, and are a bit annoyed that nothing seems to have happened. "There is no good reason for this not to have been approved by now, other than political interference. Our request seems to be lost in the system."

Connolly became a leading figure in the socialist movement in Edinburgh and honed his speaking skills at rallies in the Meadows. He later emigrated to Ireland, where he set up the Irish Republican Socialist Party, and played a leading part in the struggle for Irish independence as one of the ringleaders of the failed Easter Rising. A small plaque in the Cowgate, where Connolly was born on June 5, 1868, is the only memorial in the city of his birth.

Councillor Donald Anderson, the city's tourism chief, said: "This came to the council more in the form of a demand rather than a request. I do not personally feel it is appropriate for the Meadows, which already has a number of traditional names, although nothing has been officially ruled out."

A spokeswoman for the city council said the request had been referred in the first instance to Bob Cairns, the local councillor for the area in question. Ironically, he has been at loggerheads with the Connolly society after a massive flyposting exercise was deployed to promote this May's parade.

Cllr Cairns said: "I would not be in favour of this proposal because I do not believe it would have the support of a wide cross section of the public."

And the proposal angered Tory MSP David McLetchie who said:

"He [James Connolly] was obviously a hugely divisive figure and something like this would be totally inappropriate."

The above article appeared in the Edinburgh Evening News, here a few of the letters which appeared in the paper shortly after:

Labour sports a pale shade of red

THE "controversy" of having a tribute to one of the City's favourite son's James Connolly is very interesting because it shows Labour up in their true colours.

What do we know about Connolly? Well we know he was a Marxist socialist who was a brilliant and inspirational speaker in the streets of Edinburgh and in the Meadows.

We also know that he was an internationalist who supported independence for Ireland and Scotland. When he saw an opportunity to help Ireland towards independence he took it and was shot by the British state for his troubles.

We know then that Connolly was a highly principled man who was willing to die for his beliefs. He was also a true son of Edinburgh, so surely a monument to this great man would be a "no-brainer".

Unfortunately today's Labour party is a pale pink shadow of the socialism espoused by Connolly. The former leader of the council Donald Anderson even recently branded his own employees, council planners, as "Communists" proving that he does not even know what the word actually means!

Joe Middleton
Wardieburn Place South, Edinburgh

Anderson shows his ignorance

IN declaring that honouring James Connolly is "inappropriate" all that Councillor Donald Anderson exposes is his ignorance of working class heritage and history. If Anderson or Councillor Bob Cairns had one ounce of the principle, humility and integrity of this brave Scottish socialist revolutionary martyr they would be better men.

Sadly they do not, the transformation of working people's living standards is due in part to the agitation of people like Connolly and thousand of unnamed others whom put other needs above their own careers. Revisionists like Anderson and Cairns are apologises for theses fine traditions, fortunately they are not the inheritors of it.

Bryan McIntosh
Bothwell Street, Edinburgh

Tribute is least we should be doing

AS an adult educator interested in immigration past and present we recently did a co-investigation on the life and times of James Connolly and we were considerably impressed by his unique contribution to assisting the oppressed in Scotland, Ireland and the United States.

Connolly, who was an inspiration to International figures such as the Italian, Antonio Gramsci, was a thoughtful strategist who recognised the key moments in history best suited to social change. As a product of Edinburgh "Coogate", he managed to transcend the miserable poverty to which he and his family were subjected and look at effective ways of doing something about it. This city has a duty to honour and commemorate the life and times of the great socialist James Connolly and the naming of a walkway is the least we can do.