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| Britain | |||
| Scottish Parliament MPs vote for independence | |||
| 2012-06-18 | |||
First Minister Alex Salmond hailed the vote, by 69 to 52, as a "milestone" in the country's history. He also revealed that 15,000 people have backed a declaration stating it is "fundamentally better" if decisions about the country's future are taken by the people of Scotland. The declaration is a key part of the Yes Scotland cross-party campaign for independence, which officially got under way just six days ago. At the time of its launch Mr Salmond declared that if one million voters put their names to it "then we shall win an independent Scotland". The SNP leader revealed 15,000 people had already given it their backing as Holyrood debated the country's constitutional future. Labour, Tories and the Liberal Democrats all united round an amendment put forward by Johann Lamont, the Scottish Labour leader. It argued that it was in Scotland's best interest to remain part of the United Kingdom and that the country was "stronger together and weaker apart". But that was defeated, with MSPs instead backing Mr Salmond's motion, which said: "The Parliament agrees that Scotland should be an independent country." While the vote is largely procedural, it will have symbolic significance for Nationalists, who can now state that independence is "the will of the Scottish Parliament". Mr Salmond said: "Today, for the first time since the beginning of the political union, the elected representatives of the people of Scotland have agreed that this nation should be an independent country." He said the establishment of the Scottish Parliament in 1999 had a been a "milestone in Scotland's journey" and added: "The motion today marks another." While he said Holyrood had "achieved much in its short life span" - such as the ban on smoking in public places - he added: "This Parliament is not yet able to make many of the key decisions which affect the lives of our fellow countrymen and women." But Ms Lamont argued that most Scots did not want independence. "We, as a nation, were never conquered," the Labour leader said. "The United Kingdom has not been imposed upon us, it is the choice of Scots. It is the choice of Scots to share power with our neighbours in these small islands." | |||
| Posted by:Steve White |
| #2 If Wales & Scotland go, how long for NI? The UK will be no more, nothing left but some provinces of the EUSSR. |
| Posted by: AlanC 2012-06-18 15:05 |
| #1 England would be much better off without the Scottish albatross. |
| Posted by: Nimble Spemble 2012-06-18 11:52 |