Devolution to independence?
Will devolution lead to confederalism or independence?Scots rally for independence yet again
"In 1320, Scots penned the Declaration of Arbroath. In lines that would echo through the ages, they wrote, 'It is in truth not for glory, nor riches, nor honours that we are fighting, but for freedom — for that alone, which no honest man gives up but with life itself.'...
"In 1997, Scots spoke loudly when they voted to reinstate their Parliament...
"The Scottish Parliament has authority for health, education, courts and the environment. The British Parliament retains control over most taxes and foreign affairs. The question now is, what next? The current Scottish government is the first in modern times that wants to see Scotland reclaim its independence...
"The Scottish government wants Scotland and England to become independent and equal nations, with the queen and her successors continuing as the common head of state of both — similar to what happened in Canada and Australia in the 20th century. In other words, we would move toward becoming united kingdoms, rather than the United Kingdom..."
From Angus Reid Global Monitor:
Scots No Longer Keen on Independence
"Fewer adults in Scotland believe the area should attain sovereignty, according to a poll by YouGov. 50 per cent of respondents oppose Scotland becoming a country independent from the rest of the United Kingdom, up 11 points in two years...
"Do you support or oppose Scotland becoming a country independent from the rest of the United Kingdom?
Apr. 2006
Support 46%
Oppose 39%
Don't Know 15%...
Apr. 2008
Support 34%
Oppose 50%
Don't Know 15%"
Labels: devolution, UK
posted by Ken Wedding @ 11:55 AM
1 Comments:
The post quotes an article by the Angus Reid Global Monitor 'Scots no longer keen on independence'. This is the text of an e-mail which I have sent to tthe editor -
'The sub-heading on your website says 'World Opinion in Context Every Day' which can hardly be said of this article, for instance at http://www.snp.org/node/13646 using the results of the same YouGov poll has the heading 'Poll suggests 65% want Independence referendum'. An article in 'The Herald' newspaper on 15 April 2008 titled Salmond 'starting to win the argument for Scots independence' (http://www.theherald.co.uk/misc/print.php?artid=2193582) quotes a TNS System Three poll which gives current opinion for independence a narrow majority of 41% to 40%, it also says that 'The point about the TNS polls is that they now show a trend'. You article also refers to 'Scotland's sovereignty' - under Scots constitutional law sovereignty rests with the people -
'greater power can only be granted to Scotland by the UK Parliament and here there is potential for conflict. To take the extreme example, constitutional matters are reserved but it is hard to see how the Scottish Parliament could be prevented from holding a referendum on independence should it be determined to do so. If the Scottish people expressed a desire for independence the stage would be set for a direct clash between what is the English doctrine of sovereignty and the Scottish doctrine of the sovereignty of the people.'
SOURCE: 'The Operation of Multi-Layer Democracy', Scottish Affairs Committee Second Report of Session 1997-1998, HC 460-I, 2 December 1998, paragraph 27.
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