{"id":695,"date":"2013-01-04T20:48:57","date_gmt":"2013-01-04T20:48:57","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/scotsindependent.scot\/?p=695"},"modified":"2015-05-14T20:54:13","modified_gmt":"2015-05-14T20:54:13","slug":"first-ministers-new-year-message","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/scotsindependent.scot\/?p=695","title":{"rendered":"FIRST MINISTER\u2019S NEW YEAR MESSAGE"},"content":{"rendered":"

Last week I said I would publish, via the Flag, at least the editorials in the printed Scots Independent\u00a0 a month or so afterwards.<\/strong><\/p>\n

This week I am publishing the one for November; I usually do the Flag over the Christmas period as other Compilers may wish to have a complete break from politics, but I am too old and set in my ways to change!<\/p>\n


\n<\/strong>
\nFIRST MINISTER\u2019S NEW YEAR MESSAGE<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Monday December 31, 2012<\/strong><\/p>\n

Referendum to bring new opportunities for Scots to make own choices<\/strong><\/p>\n

The First Minister\u2019s New Year message has highlighted the restoration of free higher education as an example of the kind of difference that could be made in areas such as social security and foreign affairs following the referendum in 2014.<\/p>\n

Following the abolition of graduate endowment fees in 2007, Scotland\u2019s colleges and universities have seen record numbers of Scots, English and overseas students studying higher education, while the number of people accepted into Scottish universities has increased again this year.<\/p>\n

In his message, recorded at the University of Aberdeen\u2019s \u201cmagnificent\u201d new Sir Duncan Rice Library, Mr Salmond recalls that one of the Scottish Government\u2019s very first decisions, in 2007, was to restore Scotland\u2019s \u201ccenturies-old tradition of free education\u201d as he asks people across the country to consider the position if Scotland had had to follow the same route as the rest of the UK.<\/p>\n

He adds: \u201cThe results of this are now plain to see. This year, people accepted into Scottish universities have increased. And we\u2019ve record numbers of Scottish, English and overseas students studying higher education at our Scottish colleges and universities. In contrast, the prospect of sky-high tuition fees in England has seen acceptances for universities there sinking like a stone, with tens of thousands of youngsters being denied their life opportunity.<\/p>\n

\u201cNow this contrast between what is happening here and what isn\u2019t happening there has only been made possible because it is the Scottish Parliament which runs Scottish education. But let\u2019s imagine what would happen if we didn\u2019t control education or if, as some people suggest, we imposed English-style tuition fees. Numbers at our universities would collapse. We would be mortgaging our own country\u2019s future.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd just as the Scottish Parliament has restored free education, so it offers security to our old people with free personal care and protects us all by keeping vital public services, like health and water, in public hands. It is what makes it worthwhile to have our own Parliament and it is why the Scottish Parliament is now trusted by almost four times the number of people who trust Westminster.\u201d<\/p>\n

The First Minister invites Scots to consider how they might vote if the referendum in 2014 was for an independent Scotland to give up its independence and hand over powers in areas like welfare or foreign affairs to the Westminster Parliament in London. Those arguing for such a move would be pursuing \u201cmission impossible\u201d and would be \u201claughed at from Gretna Green to Dunnet Head,\u201d Mr Salmond continues.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis New Year the joke\u2019s on us – because that is exactly the position that we have in Scotland right now. But in 2014 we will all have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to do something about it.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis Scottish Government has a positive vision of the future of this country. We can build a new independent nation. It is a vision of a country that earns its wealth and shares it more fairly. A country confident in itself and its place in the world. A country which makes the most of its natural resources. And a country where everyone gets a fair shout and a decent chance. In the meantime, as we work towards that future, let me wish each and everyone of you a happy and prosperous New Year.\u201d<\/p>\n

Background:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Video and images of the First Minister\u2019s New Year message can now be downloaded from the following locations.<\/p>\n

– http:\/\/youtu.be\/r4wCcb-YPjI<\/a><\/b>
\n– http:\/\/flickr.com\/gp\/scottishgovernment\/8KN4Zs\/<\/a><\/b><\/p>\n

Audio will be posted on SoundCloud on Monday 31st at: www.soundcloud.com\/scotgov<\/a><\/b><\/p>\n

Higher (broadcast) quality video and audio of the message are available under embargo from Scottish Government Communications (see contact details below).<\/p>\n

St Andrew\u2019s House, Regent Road, Edinburgh EH1 3DG www.scotland.gov.uk<\/a><\/b><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Irritations<\/strong><\/h2>\n

A headline in the Herald on 26th<\/sup> December\u00a0 got up my nose:\u00a0 it read \u201cBid to unveil the secrets of the Battle of Flodden\u201d.\u00a0 The sub-heading read \u201cCelebrations under way to mark 500th<\/sup> Anniversary of pivotal battle\u201d.<\/p>\n

It goes on to detail how the majority of Scotland\u2019s nobles, and James\u00a0 IV, our King, died in this battle, which took place as the Scots army invaded England in accord with the Auld Alliance, as England had invaded France.\u00a0 The deal was that if England attacked Scotland, France would attack England, and vice versa.\u00a0 I am not aware if any French army invaded England on Scotland\u2019s behalf, but Scots had a land border so were perhaps more vulnerable.<\/p>\n

Two things to note from this a) England had invaded France \u2013 most of their wars were in the country they were trying to conquer –\u00a0 Bannockburn, Falkirk, Stirling Bridge, to name but a few.\u00a0 b)\u00a0 How insensitive of a sub editor to see the slaughter of many Scots as worthy of celebration.\u00a0 Goes neatly with the Unionist ploy to celebrate the 1914 opening of the First World War\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 in 2014.<\/p>\n

In 1707 England also used the Auld Alliance as one of their reasons for the Treaty of Union; they wanted to secure their northern border, so that they could continue to raid France and anywhere else that took their fancy.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

England and its Misalliance with Europe\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n

In early 2005 my wife and I were on holiday abroad and we were sharing a table with a couple from the South of England.\u00a0 They were very pleasant company but totally perplexed as to why we wanted independence.\u00a0 Surely everyone in the UK was happy with things as they were, so how could we wish to leave them?\u00a0 As an idle remark (believe that if you will) I asked about their feelings on the European Union. \u201cOh no, was the response, we\u2019re not going to have other countries telling us what to do.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 They saw no irony and no contradiction.<\/p>\n

The SNP policy on the EEC, as it was called then, has changed.\u00a0 Originally\u00a0 the party was for European co-operation, then Mr Heath the Tory Prime Minister\u00a0 took the UK into Europe without any referendum, sacrificing Scotland\u2019s fishing industry as of little import.\u00a0 When Harold Wilson took office he held a referendum asking if we wanted to stay in.\u00a0 The SNP campaigned against this, on the basis that we would not remain \u201con anybody\u00a0 else\u2019s terms\u201d, but we lost that one \u2013 that was 1975, to my recollection.\u00a0 (Entry into Europe had been blocked for years by General de Gaulle, who regarded Britain as the \u201csick man of Europe.)<\/p>\n

AS time went on, the SNP changed its view again, as we adopted a pragmatic line;\u00a0 Independence in Europe, to counter the any fear of an independent Scotland being isolated and friendless.\u00a0 This is still the case, and Scotland has never been as anti Europe as England;\u00a0 Ireland is quite happy with Europe, and they are full members.\u00a0 However, the SNP position was always that after independence we would have a further referendum to ask Scots whether they wished to remain within the European Union.<\/p>\n

Events in both Europe and England have given rise to a demand for an in-out referendum, as the Tory party tears itself apart once again over this issue, and it is unclear as to where they are going;\u00a0 Europe has been a festering sore on the Tory body politic, developing into UKIP.\u00a0 Great believers in English independence.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Fault lines<\/strong><\/h2>\n

During my leisure time this\u00a0 festive season, I am reading \u201cThe Strange Death of Labour Scotland\u201d\u00a0 (sad person, me).\u00a0 It is very detailed and I am only about quarter through it, and as I woke this morning I thought about my general impression; the fault lines are not over policy, nor even personality, but are all about Scotland and its place in the world, and\/or the UK.\u00a0 Every major argument within Labour was about control from London, and just where the control should stop.\u00a0 Some were happy with things as they were, others wanted a little more control back, and some wanted a lot;\u00a0 it would seem to me that there is a nationalism\u2013 small n \u2013 alive and well in the Labour Party in Scotland.\u00a0 With the emergence of a \u201cLabour for Independence\u201d wing in 2012\u00a0 this could mushroom.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

November editorial\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0<\/b><\/h3>\n

Storm in a poison cup<\/b><\/h2>\n

It has long been my view that the SNP was not the fount of all human wisdom and knowledge, and that we had faults like everyone else.\u00a0 The events of the last couple of weeks have somewhat amended that view.<\/p>\n

Firstly there was a meeting with the Prime Minister of England and the Secretary of State for Scotland, an official of the English government,* where it was agreed that there would be a Referendum, there would be one question set by the Scottish Parliament, that Parliament had the power to hold a vote , and the result will be respected fully by both governments.\u00a0 Game set and match to the SNP; at the subsequent press conference, the press was not supportive of the Scottish Government, but threw as many brickbats as they could.\u00a0 The SI was the lone voice congratulating the First Minister and his Deputy, an action that did not generate applause from the aforesaid press \u2013 they are mainly strictly neutral Unionists.<\/p>\n

Subsequently, the Prime Minster of England stated that he was going to crush the Scots in 2014 \u2013 welcome, Proud Edward!<\/p>\n

Then at Annual Conference, the Party had an open, combative and principled debate on membership of NATO, an organisation it has opposed for the last thirty years or so.\u00a0 There was a lukewarm reception from the press, a grudging comment that the SNP at least had the guts to hold such a debate.\u00a0 The resolution, commissioned and supported by the SNP hierarchy, passed by a fairly narrow margin.\u00a0 When two MSPs resigned from the SNP over this issue, the press latched on to this with joy, seeking more rebels \u2013 no mention that the other 66 MSPs stayed within the Party.\u00a0 Somehow, an editorial in the Herald tried to conflate this with the BBC\u2019s handling of the Jimmy Savile case, a disgusting, offensive and actionable tactic.<\/p>\n

How could a public, honest open debate on Scotland\u2019s future be mentioned in the same sentence as the vile and despicable cover up of a vile and despicable \u201cstar\u201d\u00a0 by a \u201ctrusted\u201d BBC?<\/p>\n

And then the manufactured, and severely edited, by Labour this time, interview of Alex Salmond by Andrew Neil, in March this year.\u00a0 Mr Neil, whom I do not admire, is a competent interviewer, and if there had been a faux pas by Alex Salmond, that would not have been missed by him.\u00a0 Anyway, Labour have been trying to get Alex Salmond to break the Ministerial Code on the question of membership of the EU for years, even resorting to Freedom of Information requests, paid for by the taxpayer \u2013 ie us \u2013and if he had responded would then have reported him for a breach of the Ministerial Code!\u00a0 Another day, another dirty trick \u2013 and ninety odd days to the Referendum for drip, drip, drip of poison.<\/p>\n

The comments at First Minister\u2019s Questions were crude, offensive and personal, and have opened the wounds that the Unionist parties have suffered?\u00a0 I revert to my opening comment, that compared to the Unionist parties, and their spear carriers, the SNP comes out nearer to the fount of all human wisdom, knowledge, \u2013 and integrity.<\/p>\n

Mr Salmond has referred the matter to the independent Council of Advisers.<\/p>\n

*Just before Conference I was sent a copy of Issue No 3 of the Scots Independent, dated January 1927.<\/p>\n

I quote one small excerpt \u201cAnother matter discussed was the palpable injustice of the way Scotland was treated in the grants to her Record Office.\u00a0 On the Goschen basis that Scotland got eleven eightieths of any grant to Great Britain, Scotland should have received for her Record Office for the year 1924-25 the sum of \u00a38655.\u00a0 As a matter of fact she only received \u00a32012 net, while England\u2019s net receipt from the Exchequer was \u00a361,008..\u00a0 The remedy proposed for this state of affairs, which has been discussed again and again, is to make representations to the Prime Minister of England, the Chancellor of the Exchequer of England, and to the Secretary of State for Scotland , who is an official of the English Government.\u201d<\/p>\n

They do that now with oil money, which is ours, and not a grant.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

It has also been my plan to publish\u00a0 the Gaelic and Scots columns a month or two after they appear\u00a0 in the Scots Independent;\u00a0 I seem to have been a bit remiss, or probably more space taken up by Scottish Government announcements.\u00a0 Anyway, here are the columns for July, still relevant.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWe was robbed!\u201d (or war we?)<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Kenneth Fraser<\/b><\/h3>\n

\u00a0<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0 Gin we are ti believe the media, oor pairty haes raison ti repeat the weel-kent wirds o the American boaxin manager. Lawbour, it seems, haes perswadit the press that they cam oot o the local elections in a stranger poseetion than the S.N.P. Bit this isnae true; we gat 425 saits an they hae 394. Whit wey coud they threip that they war the rael winners? This coud be because, afore the election, a wheen o journalists, gien a lift bi oor birl-doactors, pit it aboot that Lawbour wad dwine awa, an they didnae. We soud hae been cannier. Deed, unner the auld first-past-the post seestem, a smaa swing ti the S.N.P. wad hae brocht us mony mair saits; bit unner the STV seestem, a smaa swing in votes wul gie us a smaa eik in saits, an that wes whit we ocht ti hae been expeckan, seein hou weel we haed duin in 2007.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Forbye, we \u2018ll can expeck that STV wul yaisually mak shair that nae pairty gits a feck o the saits on ony council. This is whit cam aboot in twa-thirds o them. Wha cums ti pouer efter that, wul be a matter fir pactions atween the pairties in back rooms (A wad hae said \u201creek-fillit rooms\u201d bit this is nae langer poleetically correck.) It seems ti hae been at this pynt that the S.N.P. lost oot. Lawbour (wi less saits an less votes aathegither) nou haes the owerance \u2013 maistly wi help frae ither pairties \u2013 in aboot nine cooncils ti oor five; bit unner the auld seestem,\u00a0 it\u2019s likely there wad hae been saxteen Lawbour cooncils ti seven fir the S.N.P., an twa Tory cooncils an aa. The raisons fir this affcome wad differ frae cooncil ti cooncil. Wes it acause the Leeberals, that haed aften been oor pairtners, went doun the stank? Or did Lawbour bid fir coaleetions o Unionist pairties? We maun see hou we can cum better oot o thir trokes neist time roun: as they say in thon ither example o American culture, \u201cAnimal House\u201d, \u201cDinnae git wud, git aiven\u201d.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

I the lang rin, this micht prieve ti be a bad time fir aa the newly eleckit cooncils. We soud min the voters at ilka turn that a Lawbour admeenistration cannae proteck them frae the cuts haundit doun bi the Tory-Leeberal coaleetion in Lunnon. Ainly an independent Scottish Government coud dae that!<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Just after that election an Independent councillor joined the SNP, giving us 426.<\/b><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Faoineas Westminster<\/b><\/h2>\n

Calum MacEacharna<\/h3>\n

Bheir neo-eisimeileachd roghainn eadar riaghaltas ann an D\u00f9n \u00c8ideann no ann an Lunnainn. Dhomhsa chan fheudar ceist a bhith ann. Tha Westminster air ar leigeil s\u00ecos a dh\u00e8anamh bho fhada air ais san t-saoghal. Tha a gi\u00f9lan rinn beagan mar gum bitheadh Alba na t\u00ecr-imrich dhi. D\u00ecreach mar a sp\u00f9ill Impireachd Breatainne Afraca agus m\u00f2r-th\u00ecrean eile gus an seilbh a ghabhail, tha ola Albannach air a thoirt a Lunainn gus p\u00e0igheadh \u2018son Thatcherism. Mar iomlaid gheibh sinne st\u00e8iseanan cumhachd niuclasach agus armachd mh\u00f2r-sgrios na Breatainne. Tha 10% cumhachd thonn, 25% cumhachd fairge agus 25% cumhachd gaoithe aig muir na Roinn E\u00f2rpa againn. A bharrachd, tha ola air fh\u00e0gail againn! Le neo-eisimeileachd th\u00e8id againn air cur \u00e0s do chumhachd agus armachd niuclasach is rudeigin nas fheumaile a chur nan \u00e0ite.<\/p>\n

C\u00e0inidh cronadairean mar Alasdair Darling planaichean an SNP sterling a chumail, a\u2019 d\u00e8anamh a-mach nach e neo-eisimeileachd cheart a th\u2019 ann. Ach tha aon rud f\u00ecor \u2013 fi\u00f9\u2019s ma bhios bacadh air ar f\u00e8in-riaghladh ionmhasail bidh sinn fada nas neo-eisimeiliche na tha sinn an-ceartuair far nach eil m\u00f2ran cumhachd eaconomaiche againn air rud sam bith. A bharrachd, faodaidh sinn co-dh\u00f9nadh a dh\u00e8anamh air ar ceannard-st\u00e0ite, rudeigin a bheir mi don Jubilee. Tha mi den bheachd gun do thog an Jubilee ceist na d\u00e0 cheudnachd ann an Alba. Rinn an SNP seo gu math soilleir. Gu follaiseach bidh daoine sa ph\u00e0rtaidh a\u2019 toirt taic do neo-eisimeileachd, ach bidh cuid airson a\u2019 bhanrigh a chumail mar cheannard-st\u00e0ite agus cuid eile ag iarraidh poblachd Albannach. Feumaidh sinn an cuspair seo gabhail os l\u00e0imh, ach chan e seo an t-\u00e0m. Bha na S\u00f2isealaich Albannach airson gum bitheadh e air a thoirt a-staigh don chunntas-bheachd agus tha mise toilichte nach bi. Chan ann a-mh\u00e0in gum bi m\u00f2ran a\u2019 faicinn neo-eisimeileachd mar cheum m\u00f2r, is \u2018s e, ach a r\u00e8ir coltais ch\u00ec cuid luach fhathast san teaghlach r\u00ecoghail. \u2018S e cuspair eile a b\u2019 urrainn sgaradh a dh\u00e8anamh san ghluasad air fad.<\/p>\n

Tha ar n-adhartas gu saorsa a\u2019 gabhail \u00e0ite ann an ceumannan. Nuair a gheibh sinn cumhachdan staite \u00e0bhaistiche \u2018s urrainn dhuinn an-uairsin ar n-aire a thoirt air na Windsors agus an \u00e0ite san d\u00f9thaich. Ach aig a\u2019 cheann thall cunntas-bheachd ann no \u00e0s, \u2018s e mo bheachd-sa gun toir iomadh d\u00f9thaich s\u00f9il air suidheachadh a\u2019 cheannaird-st\u00e0ite nuair a shiubhaileas a\u2019 Bhanrigh Ealasaid. Bitheadh sin na \u00e0ite n\u00e0darrach gus an t-slighe phoblachail a ghabhail.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Westminster Folly
\nCalum Mackechnie<\/h3>\n

Independence gives people the choice between a government in Edinburgh and London. To me it\u2019s a no brainer. Westminster has consistently failed Scotland since time immemorial. Its style of rule has had connotations of that of a colonial power. As the British Empire pillaged Africa and other continents for their natural resources Scotland\u2019s oil is piped straight to London and used to finance Thatcherism. In return we get to house Britain\u2019s nuclear power stations and weapons of mass destruction. We have 10% of Europe\u2019s wave energy, 25% of the continent\u2019s tidal energy and 25% of its offshore wind resources. Moreover, we still have oil! With independence we can scrap nuclear power and banish nuclear weapons seeing them replaced with something more useful.<\/p>\n

Critics such as Alistair Darling criticise SNP plans to retain sterling, claiming that it is not proper independence. But one thing is certainly true – even if a degree of our fiscal autonomy is restricted we will be far more independent than our current position where we have no major economic powers over anything. Furthermore, we can make a decision over our head of state, which brings me to the Diamond jubilee. I think Scotland as a nation found the entire affair highlighted the question of Scottish dual identities. The SNP almost personified this. While obviously those in the party support independence, some support the retention of the queen as our head of state while others endorse a Scottish republic. We will need to address this question but the time is not now. Scottish Socialists wanted to include it in the referendum and I\u2019m glad it\u2019s not. Not only do many see independence as a big step, which it is, but some seem to still see a future in the monarchy. It is a further issue that could cause division in the entire movement.<\/p>\n

Our progression to sovereignty continues to take place in stages. Once we acquire all the powers of a normal state attention can then turn to the Windsors and their position in the country. Ultimately though whether a referendum is held I think many countries will assess their head of state after Queen Elizabeth\u2019s reign. That would be a natural point to take the republican path.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Last week I said I would publish, via the Flag, at least the editorials in the printed Scots Independent\u00a0 a month or so afterwards. This week I am publishing the one for November; I usually do the Flag over the Christmas period as other Compilers may wish to have a complete break from politics, but I am too old and set in my ways to change! FIRST MINISTER\u2019S NEW YEAR MESSAGE Monday December 31, 2012 Referendum to bring new opportunities for Scots to make own choices The First Minister\u2019s New Year message has highlighted the restoration of free higher education as an example of theRead More →<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/scotsindependent.scot\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/695"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/scotsindependent.scot\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/scotsindependent.scot\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/scotsindependent.scot\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/8"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/scotsindependent.scot\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=695"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/scotsindependent.scot\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/695\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":696,"href":"https:\/\/scotsindependent.scot\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/695\/revisions\/696"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/scotsindependent.scot\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=695"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/scotsindependent.scot\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=695"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/scotsindependent.scot\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=695"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}