About the Campaign
Scotland's government is moving towards our first 100 days in office by launching a national conversation on Scotland's constitutional future.
I believe that we have governed responsibly and imaginatively, with the consent of people and Parliament, which is why our popularity has grown.
Already, we have taken action to reduce class sizes, abolish student fees, remove the iniquitous tolls on the Forth and Tay bridges, save vital accident and emergency units, and establish a Council of Economic Advisers to help boost Scotland's economy. We are pursuing a three-fold approach to governing Scotland, based on competence, consensus, and offering a vision for the country.
This week's white paper on Independence will form the basis of a national conversation with the people, and will set out a vision of independence and responsibility in the modern world.
It will be an inclusive, governmental document - making clear that ministers believe independence and equality offer the best future for Scotland, while urging those who believe in other possibilities, such as more powers, to come into the conversation about the best future for Scotland and how we get there.
It is 10 years on from the referendum to establish the Scottish Parliament. Now is the right time to debate and discuss the many good things we have done with the current devolved powers - things we could never have done during those long years of remote control from London - such as the smoking ban, land reform and improvements in education. And also the things we cannot do because we currently lack the powers, such as dramatically improve our economic performance, directly represent Scottish interests in Europe and free Scotland of nuclear weapons.
All of these issues, and many more, can engage the many diverse communities and interests that make up our country in a dialogue about how we best move forward. That is why our conversation will involve every part of Scotland.
Scotland has a varied and diverse set of relationships with the other nations of these islands, and crucial interests within Europe and the wider world. The belief of the Scottish government is that these relationships and interests would be far more beneficial and better served were Scotland to become an independent nation within these forums.
That is the voice and view that the SNP will bring to the national conversation. But we will respectfully listen to the views of other people who may wish to travel with us at least some way down the road.
Scotland is a vibrant country, bursting with ideas, and the government wants to channel that creativity into devising a new way forward for this old nation. Let the conversation flow.
ALEX SALMOND
SNP Leader
I believe that we have governed responsibly and imaginatively, with the consent of people and Parliament, which is why our popularity has grown.
Already, we have taken action to reduce class sizes, abolish student fees, remove the iniquitous tolls on the Forth and Tay bridges, save vital accident and emergency units, and establish a Council of Economic Advisers to help boost Scotland's economy. We are pursuing a three-fold approach to governing Scotland, based on competence, consensus, and offering a vision for the country.
This week's white paper on Independence will form the basis of a national conversation with the people, and will set out a vision of independence and responsibility in the modern world.
It will be an inclusive, governmental document - making clear that ministers believe independence and equality offer the best future for Scotland, while urging those who believe in other possibilities, such as more powers, to come into the conversation about the best future for Scotland and how we get there.
It is 10 years on from the referendum to establish the Scottish Parliament. Now is the right time to debate and discuss the many good things we have done with the current devolved powers - things we could never have done during those long years of remote control from London - such as the smoking ban, land reform and improvements in education. And also the things we cannot do because we currently lack the powers, such as dramatically improve our economic performance, directly represent Scottish interests in Europe and free Scotland of nuclear weapons.
All of these issues, and many more, can engage the many diverse communities and interests that make up our country in a dialogue about how we best move forward. That is why our conversation will involve every part of Scotland.
Scotland has a varied and diverse set of relationships with the other nations of these islands, and crucial interests within Europe and the wider world. The belief of the Scottish government is that these relationships and interests would be far more beneficial and better served were Scotland to become an independent nation within these forums.
That is the voice and view that the SNP will bring to the national conversation. But we will respectfully listen to the views of other people who may wish to travel with us at least some way down the road.
Scotland is a vibrant country, bursting with ideas, and the government wants to channel that creativity into devising a new way forward for this old nation. Let the conversation flow.
ALEX SALMOND
SNP Leader
