&host=rt.com&uri=/politics/scotland-nationalists-independence-uk/&via=(none)&ua=CCBot/1.0 (+http://www.commoncrawl.org/bot.html))
Scotland pushing for independence from UK
Published: 04 September, 2009, 12:47
Edited: 10 January, 2010, 06:22
Scottish nationalists are pushing for independence from the UK next year, but are facing a steep uphill battle as the country’s own parliament is unlikely to support it.
The Scottish National Party says it wants to introduce a referendum to secede from the rest of the United Kingdom in 2010. While the nationalists are currently in the majority in the Scottish parliament, they are only a minority administration (in that the total number of seats the SNP possess is not more than other parties’ combined) therefore making it more difficult to pass any sort of referendum.
Scotland’s First Minister Alex Salmond has called for support and said there was a “consensus” for change in Scotland.
“I want Scotland to have the same responsibilities and opportunities as similar nations,” Salmond said.
“Until we can use all the economic and financial levers available to every other government in the world, Scotland will always be at a competitive disadvantage.”
Those opposing the referendum said that the minority government had misplaced its priorities and should focus more on the economy and crime.
“This year’s flagship, the referendum bill, was pre-announced last year. It starts with even less support than the late, unlamented council tax bill of last year,” Scottish Labour leader Iain Gray said.
The current conflict comes right on the heels of the widely condemned release of the Lockerbie bomber, Abdel Baset al-Megrahi, further deepening the divide within Scotland and increasing tension with London.
Al-Megrahi is the Libyan national convicted in 2001 for his part in the bombing of Pan Am flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland on December 21, 1988 which killed 270 people.
The Scottish government had asked parliament to show a vote of compassion that is “consistent with the principles of Scottish justice.” The Lockerbie bomber currently suffers from terminal cancer and, according to his doctors, has less than three months to live.
The decision drew widespread criticism from London and abroad. In a 73-50 vote the Scottish parliament backed an amendment condemning the release of al-Megrahi.
The Scottish National Party was formed in 1934 and, while it did not initially call for separation, it now campaigns for full independence from Westminster.
Currently, the Scottish Parliament carries autonomy in issues regarding justice, health and education. However, power over issues regarding defense and foreign affairs still reside with parliament in London.
03.09.2009, 17:55
6 comments
Russia warns Georgia against seizing Abkhazia-bound shipsRussia’s Foreign Ministry has warned that the Georgian practice of arresting cargo ships in Abkhazian waters may lead to “serious armed incidents”. |
04.09.2009, 16:47
1 comment
ROAR: Abkhazia relies on Russia in fighting Georgia’s “piracy”The authorities in Abkhazia are ready to use weapons to stop Georgia’s “piracy” in its territorial waters. Many analysts have expressed fears it may draw Moscow into a new conflict with Tbilisi. |
I am very much amused by the vast majority of posts on these boards, most seem made out of complete ignorance of the current political situation altogether! I even question those who claim to be Scots living in Scotland and how in touch they are on their own political situation. The status qou is defeated, Scots want more powers the question is what powers and how much exactly, in fact thats what the Scottish Parliament agrees on - more power. The Scottish National Party seek independence, the British Labour Party seeks the Calman commission to be adopted and the Labour Democrats and the Conservative and Unionist Parties have yet to make their position clear (although both supported Calman before their findings were made public). The Scottish National Party want to ask the people, everyone else is running for the hills at the very thought. Why are the pro-Union parties afraid to ask the people? They'll better have a reason for beleiving to know better considering the Scots were asked twice about the formation of the Scottish Parliament and again for little tax raising powers, why do the unionists believe they can get away with ignoring the people now?
There seems to be a misunderstanding relating to Scotland's relationship with the UK. It was Scotland, under the Scottish King James VI, who took over England in 1604 when Queen Elizabeth of England died but the two countries were still independent of each other. It wasn't until after the Darien misadventure (caused by the English and Portugese blockade) that the Scottish hierarchy became bankrupt and sold us Scots out to the English parliament in a TEMPORARY union in 1707, called the Act of Union. Since that time Scotland has tried several times to break off from this agreement but has always been ignored by the UK (English) parliament. In the 20th century there have been more than one referendum by the Scots to retract from that Union. At every vote the majority of those who voted, voted for home rule but those results were ignored by the UK government because they said that it was not the majority of Scots, who were eligible to vote. That being the case then every government elected by UK voters is illegal as there has never been a government in the UK electd by the majority of those who are entitled to vote. The fact of the matter is that the UK government does not want to allow the Scottish people to break from the Union and will and have, done all in their power to stop this. Keep in mind that the SNP have gained power in Scotland against a media which is backing the Union. Anyone with an unbiased take on this matter woul;d see that the Scottish media, including the BBC, has been constantly attacking the SNP since they took power. On top of that the British government has constantly lied to the Scottish people over North sea oil [read the McCrone Report 1974] and continues to lie to the Scottish people.
Scotland was "bankrupt" as the powerful England has placed severe trade restrictions on it during the 1600s in the first place. As soon as Scotland joined in this Union, their debt increased far greater than it ever was. Whatever way, this Union is now over in the World of 2010. Let Scotland be free. Let England be free.