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News: Scotland's plan for independence
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Member Since: 8/1/2012
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Scotland's plan for independence
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Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond has launched the SNP's independence blueprint, calling it a "mission statement" for Scotland's future.
The 649-page Scottish government white paper promised a "revolution" in social policy, with childcare at its heart.
Former UK chancellor Alistair Darling called it a "work of fiction, full of meaningless assertions".
On 18 September, Scots voters will be asked the yes/no question: "Should Scotland be an independent country?"
Launching the paper - titled Scotland's Future: Your guide to an independent Scotland - in Glasgow, the first minister said: "This is the most comprehensive blueprint for an independent country ever published, not just for Scotland but for any prospective independent nation.
"But more than that, it is a mission statement and a prospectus for the kind of country we should be and which this government believes we can be.
The white paper runs to 649 pages
"Our vision is of an independent Scotland regaining its place as an equal member of the family of nations. However, we do not seek independence as an end in itself, but rather as a means to changing Scotland for the better."
As well as making the case for independence, the white paper also set out a series of policy pledges which the SNP said it would pursue if elected as the government of an independent Scotland.
These included:
Thirty hours of childcare per week in term time for all three and four-year-olds, as well as vulnerable two-year-olds.
Trident nuclear weapons, currently based on the Clyde, removed within the first parliament.
Housing benefit reforms, described by critics as the "bedroom tax", to be abolished, and a halt to the rollout of Universal Credit.
It would be in Scotland's interest to keep the pound, while the Bank of England would continue as "lender of last resort".
BBC Scotland replaced at the start of 2017 with a new Scottish broadcasting service, continuing a formal relationship with the rest of the BBC.
Basic rate tax allowances and tax credits to rise at least in line with inflation.
A safe, "triple-locked" pension system.
Minimum wage to "rise alongside the cost of living".
The Scottish government said Scotland's finances were healthier than those of the UK, providing a strong foundation to put the focus of the referendum campaign on Scotland's future
26 November 2013 Last updated at 12:21 Share this pageEmail Print Share this page
ShareFacebookTwitter.Scottish independence: SNP launches referendum white paperComments (450) By Andrew Black
Political reporter, BBC Scotland
First Minister Alex Salmond: "Scotland's future is in Scotland's hands"
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Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond has launched the SNP's independence blueprint, calling it a "mission statement" for Scotland's future.
The 649-page Scottish government white paper promised a "revolution" in social policy, with childcare at its heart.
Former UK chancellor Alistair Darling called it a "work of fiction, full of meaningless assertions".
On 18 September, Scots voters will be asked the yes/no question: "Should Scotland be an independent country?"
Launching the paper - titled Scotland's Future: Your guide to an independent Scotland - in Glasgow, the first minister said: "This is the most comprehensive blueprint for an independent country ever published, not just for Scotland but for any prospective independent nation.
"But more than that, it is a mission statement and a prospectus for the kind of country we should be and which this government believes we can be.
The white paper runs to 649 pages
"Our vision is of an independent Scotland regaining its place as an equal member of the family of nations. However, we do not seek independence as an end in itself, but rather as a means to changing Scotland for the better."
As well as making the case for independence, the white paper also set out a series of policy pledges which the SNP said it would pursue if elected as the government of an independent Scotland.
These included:
Thirty hours of childcare per week in term time for all three and four-year-olds, as well as vulnerable two-year-olds.
Trident nuclear weapons, currently based on the Clyde, removed within the first parliament.
Housing benefit reforms, described by critics as the "bedroom tax", to be abolished, and a halt to the rollout of Universal Credit.
It would be in Scotland's interest to keep the pound, while the Bank of England would continue as "lender of last resort".
BBC Scotland replaced at the start of 2017 with a new Scottish broadcasting service, continuing a formal relationship with the rest of the BBC.
Basic rate tax allowances and tax credits to rise at least in line with inflation.
A safe, "triple-locked" pension system.
Minimum wage to "rise alongside the cost of living".
The Scottish government said Scotland's finances were healthier than those of the UK, providing a strong foundation to put the focus of the referendum campaign on Scotland's future.
Mr Salmond said the list of policies would help address what he described as the "damage caused by the vast social disparities which have seen the UK become one of the most unequal societies in the developed world".
"We know we have the people, the skills and resources to make Scotland a more successful country," he added.
White paper: Main policy pledges
Thirty hours of childcare per week in term time for all three and four-year-olds, as well as vulnerable two-year-olds.
Trident nuclear weapons, currently based on the Clyde, removed within the first parliament.
Housing benefit reforms, described by critics as the "bedroom tax" to be abolished in first year of an independent Scottish parliament.
Basic rate tax allowances and tax credits to rise at least in line with inflation.
Review UK plan for increasing state pension age to 67.
Minimum wage to rise at least in line with inflation.
Basic rate tax allowances and tax credits to rise at least in line with inflation.
BBC Scotland replaced at the start of 2017 with a new Scottish broadcasting service, continuing a formal relationship with the rest of the BBC.
Single tier state pension of £160 per week from April 2016.
Royal Mail returned to public ownership.
Pound to be retained under "currency union".
New employment measures to help more women into work.
Scottish citizens entitled to Scottish passport at the same as UK one.
Scottish Defence Force to enlist 15,000 regulars and 5,000 reservists.
Scottish-born British citizens living in another country will automatically be Scottish citizens.
British citizens living in Scotland considered Scottish citizens, including those holding dual nationality.
"What we need now are the economic tools and powers to build a more competitive, dynamic economy and create more jobs.
"This guide contains policies which offer nothing less than a revolution in employment and social policy for Scotland, with a transformational change in childcare at the heart of those plans.
"Our proposals will make it far easier for parents to balance work and family life and will allow many more people, especially women, to move into the workforce, fostering economic growth and helping to boost revenues - which will in itself help pay for the policy."
Mr Darling, leader of Better Together, the official campaign to keep the Union, said the white paper had failed to give credible answers to fundamentally important questions.
He went on: "What currency would we use? Who will set our mortgage rates? How much would taxes have to go up? How will we pay pensions and benefits in future?
"It is a fantasy to say we can leave the UK but still keep all the benefits of UK membership. The white paper is a work of fiction. It is thick with false promises and meaningless assertions.
"Instead of a credible and costed plan, we have a wish-list of political promises without any answers on how Alex Salmond would pay for them."
Mr Darling said the childcare pledge could be delivered now, and raised concern about the viability of the Scottish government's plan to keep the pound, saying SNP ministers needed a currency "Plan B".
The Scottish government's critics have also questioned its plan to get rid of Trident nuclear weapons - currently based on the Clyde - while being a member of Nato.
And they have said other SNP promises, on issues like pensions and welfare, are uncosted
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So Scotland would still rely on England even if it's a last resort, a mess  and some of these plans are just stupid 
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Member Since: 2/18/2012
Posts: 25,853
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BBC Scotland replaced at the start of 2017 with a new Scottish broadcasting service, continuing a formal relationship with the rest of the BBC.
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Scottish citizens entitled to Scottish passport at the same as UK one.
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Pointless. Anyway, I hope this doesn't happen, nor do I think it will.
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Member Since: 12/3/2010
Posts: 19,759
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"What we need now are the economic tools and powers to build a more competitive, dynamic economy and create more jobs.
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Ummm... 
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Member Since: 8/1/2012
Posts: 11,608
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The fact I'm 18 next year & have to vote for this & have no clue what to vote 
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Member Since: 3/15/2013
Posts: 32,106
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Originally posted by RihannaLoverrr
The fact I'm 18 next yer & have to vote for this & have no clue what to vote |
I've just seen on the news that you've got a full 600 pages report to read if you wanna make up your mind 
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Member Since: 11/30/2011
Posts: 2,986
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This just sounds like a damn mess
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Banned
Member Since: 2/6/2012
Posts: 18,398
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Scotland and Quebec nee to get their **** together
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Member Since: 11/4/2010
Posts: 34,287
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Toodles. Just send a lifetime supply of Irn Bru England's way and you can happily go 
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Member Since: 2/18/2012
Posts: 25,853
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Originally posted by RihannaLoverrr
The fact I'm 18 next year & have to vote for this & have no clue what to vote |
Are you actually contemplating voting yes?
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Member Since: 8/1/2012
Posts: 11,608
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Originally posted by Jack!
Are you actually contemplating voting yes?
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I have no clue. I don't know enough about the arguments for and against it.
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Member Since: 3/24/2008
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Good luck surviving without England.. 
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Member Since: 8/1/2008
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Watch half of Scotland's population emigrate to England if this happens.
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Member Since: 5/7/2011
Posts: 7,679
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Such a shame people will vote No when we actually have a chance to break away from a corrupt Government who we don't have a say in and who only care about London. I'd rather have to go crawling back to them in 10 years after realising we were wrong than continue to support the crap pile that is Westminster. 
Taking a chance and failing is a lot better than sitting moaning about change which will never happen.
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Originally posted by Mr.Link
Watch half of Scotland's population emigrate to England if this happens.
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Do you know how referendums work? It passing kinda implies that a vast majority either didn't care about the result or supported it.
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Banned
Member Since: 3/19/2012
Posts: 7,835
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Seriously, their ancestors fought against the English for hundreds of years and they finally have the opportunity to have sovereignty, and people are wondering which way to vote?
Disappointed  stop counting beans and vote yes, Scotland needs to stop licking England's boots.
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Member Since: 8/13/2012
Posts: 32,832
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Originally posted by Goosey
Seriously, their ancestors fought against the English for hundreds of years and they finally have the opportunity to have sovereignty, and people are wondering which way to vote?
Disappointed stop counting beans and vote yes, Scotland needs to stop licking England's boots. |
so are you sad Quebec is still part of Canada?
Scotland should not leave the UK  It's a time when nations unite (EU) and Scotland wants to splinter?
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Banned
Member Since: 3/19/2012
Posts: 7,835
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Originally posted by MaRy
so are you sad Quebec is still part of Canada? |
Lol no, we beat their asses at the Plains of Abraham  that's our territory now.
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Originally posted by MaRy
Scotland should not leave the UK It's a time when nations unite (EU) and Scotland wants to splinter? |
Splinter how? it's not like they're going to suddenly put up a huge wall and cut off all trade. They just want their own country.
The English are clearly inhumane, they go around sticking bayonets in Highlanders, raping and pillaging, taxing to the hilt, banning things like bagpipes, tartan and kilts  you expect the Scottish to be okay with that?
Forget Syria, we have war crimes right here.
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ATRL Senior Member
Member Since: 8/1/2012
Posts: 27,547
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Originally posted by Goosey
Lol no, we beat their asses at the Plains of Abraham that's our territory now.
Splinter how? it's not like they're going to suddenly put up a huge wall and cut off all trade. They just want their own country.
The English are clearly inhumane, they go around sticking bayonets in Highlanders, raping and pillaging, taxing to the hilt, banning things like bagpipes, tartan and kilts you expect the Scottish to be okay with that?
Forget Syria, we have war crimes right here. |
This had me in tears 
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Member Since: 8/13/2012
Posts: 32,832
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Originally posted by Goosey
Lol no, we beat their asses at the Plains of Abraham that's our territory now.
Splinter how? it's not like they're going to suddenly put up a huge wall and cut off all trade. They just want their own country.
The English are clearly inhumane, they go around sticking bayonets in Highlanders, raping and pillaging, taxing to the hilt, banning things like bagpipes, tartan and kilts you expect the Scottish to be okay with that?
Forget Syria, we have war crimes right here. |
mess, a new referendum could be done soon... and considering how much money Quebec gets from the federals, who really won?
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Banned
Member Since: 3/19/2012
Posts: 7,835
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Originally posted by MaRy
mess, a new referendum could be done soon... and considering how much money Quebec gets from the federals, who really won? |
In that case, vote me for Prime Minister and I'll be sending in the troops to take those plains back ASAP and with maximum use of force  we didn't spend $650 million on those new Leopard tanks for nothing. Who won? Rob Ford.
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Member Since: 8/13/2012
Posts: 32,832
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Quote:
Originally posted by Goosey
In that case, vote me for Prime Minister and I'll be sending in the troops to take those plains back ASAP and with maximum use of force we didn't buy those Leopard tanks for nothing. Who won? Rob Ford. |
mess you sound drunk
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