Normality

Independence basically means normality. Most countries around the world are independent and most of them prefer it that way. The only normal and appropriate status for any nation is independence. 

The End of the British Empire should now lead to the end of the British Union

Scotland's unique history led her eventually to be bribed, bullied and threatened into the treaty of union. While some people in Scotland financially benefited from the British Empire most ordinary Scots were poor at the beginning and just as poor at the end. It no longer serves Scotland to be locked into an unequal marriage with a country ten times her size.

Our distinctive voice is not heard internationally

In the modern world our distinctive and voice political voice will not be heard unless we are individually represented on all international bodies, in particular the United Nations and the European Union (if we choose to remain within it). This will only happen with independence The Iraq war was opposed by most ordinary Scots and yet it happened anyway. As a nation with massive oil reserves we may also choose to be a part of OPEC. We would probably also choose not to be a part of NATO since all our independent political parties are strongly against nuclear weapons. We need our own embassies all around the world, seperate from the UK, so our voice is properly heard on the international stage.   

Our Media and politicians follow an English agenda

Our news media is mostly based in London and therefore politically we have been dominated by political parties controlled by England. While Labour the Liberal Democrats and the Conservatives call themselves Scottish when they operate within Scotland, in reality they follow an agenda which favours the majority of people in the UK, in other words the south of England. Too often if our political views are heard at all, they are simply ignored.

Scotland's athletes are being treated as second class

Recently Scotland did extremely well in the Commonwealth games, which is the only international competition (outside of football and Rugby) where we are given the opportunity to compete as a nation. Surely our athletes should have the opportunity to represent our nation at World Championships and the Olympic games?

St Andrews Day isn't properly celebrated

The Scottish Executive recently refused a cross party campaign to have Scotland's national day (November 30th, St Andrews Day) properly celebrated. If they can't even take this simple step, how can they ever hope to represent Scotland with confidence abroad? Jack McConnell has no clear sense of Scotland as a nation whatsoever, both he and his party are happy to accept effective colonial status for their own country. 

Here's a few quotes from various Scots:

"I believe an independent country run by a government not much richer than the people has more hope than one governed by a big rich neighbour."

- Alasdair Gray

"Without it's own culture, Scotland (or any other country dominated by another) will remain a slave."

- Hugh MacDiarmid

"Alas, I have often said to myself what are the boasted advantages which my country reaps from a certain Union that counterbalance the annihilation of her Independence, and even her name!"

- Robert Burns

“The opening day of the Scottish Parliament on 1st July 1999 was one of the proudest days of my life. However, nearly seven years on, it is obvious that the powers are inadequate to do a real job for Scotland."

- Sean Connery

"I have believed in independence since before I can remember. In fact, I've never really been able to take seriously the arguments against independence. The arguments offered against independence are all based on the assumption that the Scots, uniquely among the peoples of the world, are incapable of making their country better. Independence, by contrast, is the most positive idea in Scottish politics because it's based on the belief that the Scots are no better - but just as good - as every other people."

- Alasdair Allan

 "I agree that we should have tax breaks for artists in Scotland. They have been a huge success in Ireland. That was the start of it all. It seemed to signal a different mindset within the Irish government. I believe Scotland should be autonomous. It should be a separate nation."

- John Byrne

"Independence is simply the only way for any nation to control its own affairs and produce optimal results for its people. For me Independence is still the freshest, most precious and most compelling of ideas: for it is the only way in which we can deliver a more prosperous, more robust, fairer and more risk-free Scotland."

- Jim Mather

"Our nearest neighbours to the east and west, with similar populations and fewer resources than us, both of whom gained Independence in the Twentieth Century, are now richer than the states (Sweden and the UK) of which they were formerly part."

- Graeme McCormick

"Scotland should have more powers. It should be much more like Ireland and a Celtic haven for artists. We should be making it easier for people to exist, with tax breaks not just for musicians to live in their home country but artists like Jim Lambie who shouldn't have to live in New York."

- Alan McGee