Brian Adam

Brian Adam is the MSP for Aberdeen North.

'Independence is a state of mind.

We can seek to be totally independent and reject any responsibilities for others. We can aspire to share rights and responsibilities, to be co-dependent and participate in society with others. Or we can be dependent and leave the responsibility with others, reserving the right only to complain.

Decisions about my life are best made by me. That is not a selfish outlook; it is a responsible position, as it is with government. My preference is very much for collective decision making to be made as near home as possible, so I support real decision making power and responsibilities for local councils.

I also want Scotland to accept its responsibilities, as well as assert its rights, by recognising that we share this world with others with whom we are co-dependent. Hence I want us to engage directly with other countries through membership of the EU and organisations such as the UN.

Being dependent is not what I aspire to. I do not want it for me, my family or my country. The vulnerable and the weak need protection and collective responsibility is an essential element in any civilised society. However a dependency culture stifles individual growth and holds us all back.

It’s time to change that. It’s time for Scotland to break away from the dependency culture and to be free.'