Speech by The First Minister of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon at Dynamic Earth Edinburgh, commenting on the Scottish Government position on Brexit and the case/strategy for a new Independence Referendum.
“This is a pivotal moment for the UK and Scotland. Continue reading
Thousands of people have marched in Inverness supporting calls for Scottish independence.
An estimated 12,000 people were on the march which is the latest in a series all over Scotland over the last few years. Continue reading
Latest Featured News Articles From the gov.scot website
Boosting Scotland’s exports
First Minister stresses importance of international links.
Efforts are being stepped up to help Scottish companies increase their exports following Brexit.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon told business leaders and trade experts it was more important than ever for Scotland to strengthen its ties with other nations.
In a keynote speech at the CBI’s International Trade conference in Edinburgh, the First Minister detailed initiatives being taken to help meet the Scottish Government’s 10 year target of increasing exports from 20 per cent to 25 per cent of Scotland’s GDP.
READ MORE: https://www.gov.scot/news/boosting-scottish-exports/
A new bank for Scotland
Scottish National Investment Bank Bill passes stage 3.
Legislation to establish a Scottish National Investment Bank has been passed unanimously by the Scottish Parliament.
The new institution will direct investments that deliver economic, environmental and social returns, and help Scotland’s journey towards net-zero carbon emissions. It will aim to increase innovation, give support to small and medium size enterprises (SMEs), and build a high-tech and inclusive economy.
The bank is expected to be operational before the end of the year. It will have an initial capitalisation of £2 billion over 10 years with the aim that it will ultimately become self-financing.
Economy Secretary Derek Mackay said:
“The Scottish National Investment Bank has the potential to transform Scotland’s society by powering innovation and building a high-tech, inclusive economy.
READ MORE: https://www.gov.scot/news/a-new-bank-for-scotland/
Refreshed plan for economic growth
New website among range of actions.
A new website which makes it easier for businesses to get information and support is one of the measures in a refreshed Economic Action Plan for Scotland.
Findbusinesssupport.gov.scot contains hundreds of products, services and events from Scotland’s enterprise and skills agencies, and will be further developed to host content from across Scotland’s public sector.
The new site is one of the commitments in the refreshed plan, launched by Economy Secretary Derek Mackay at a business breakfast in Edinburgh.
READ MORE: https://www.gov.scot/news/refreshed-plan-for-economic-growth/
Most vulnerable at risk from Brexit
Report finds 137 separate impacts.
The UK’s exit from the EU is highly likely to negatively impact the most vulnerable people in Scotland, a new report has found.
‘The Social and Equality Impacts of Brexit’ is an independent report, commissioned by the Scottish Government, which has identified 137 potential impacts on those already facing inequality, discrimination, or social exclusion.
The report highlights impacts including the loss of legal rights, employment protections, funding opportunities, healthcare rights, and supply and access to food, fuel and medicines.
Communities Secretary Aileen Campbell said:
“The Scottish Government has repeatedly warned that any kind of Brexit will be disastrous for our most vulnerable citizens.
“The UK Government failed to carry out any meaningful assessment on the impact of Brexit, including an Equality Impact Assessment. The Scottish Government asked an independent expert Dr Eve Hepburn to review the social and equality impacts of leaving the EU on people in Scotland and across the UK.
READ MORE: https://www.gov.scot/news/most-vulnerable-at-risk-from-brexit/
11 Jan 2020: Thousands of people from all over Scotland march in Glasgow at the ‘All Under One Banner’ event in support of Scottish Independence Continue reading
First Minister: “Democracy must and will prevail.”
The democratic case for Scotland having the ability to choose its own constitutional future is published today in a new document.
The paper – entitled “Scotland’s Right to Choose: Putting Scotland’s Future in Scotland’s Hands” – lays out the detailed case for how and why the country should be able to have the choice of independence in a referendum.
The document includes a specific call on the UK Government to “enter discussions about the Scottish Government’s mandate for giving the people of Scotland a choice, and to agree legislation with the Scottish Government that would put beyond doubt the Scottish Parliament’s right to legislate for a referendum on independence.”
Launching the document at Bute House in Edinburgh, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said:
“It is a fundamental democratic principle that decisions on Scotland’s constitutional future should rest with the people who live here.
“As this document lays out, the Scottish Government has a clear democratic mandate to offer people a choice on that future in an independence referendum, and the UK Government has a democratic duty to recognise that. Last week’s General Election has only strengthened that mandate.
“Today, I am publishing the constitutional and democratic case for Scotland having that choice.
“It is rooted in the principle of self-determination, in the material change of circumstances since the 2014 exercise of that right, and in the democratic mandate that exists for offering the choice afresh.
“In a voluntary association of nations such as the UK, it cannot be in the interest of any part for our right to choose our own future to be conditional, or time limited or a one-off.
“Nor is it right for it to be over-ridden by a Prime Minister, or indeed a First Minister.
“It is a fundamental right of self-determination. The ability for Scotland to exercise that right now matters because the alternative is a future we have rejected.
“The mandate we have to offer the Scottish people a choice over their future is, by any normal standard of democracy, unarguable.”
The First Minister added:
“We are therefore today calling for the UK Government to negotiate and agree the transfer of power that would put beyond doubt the Scottish Parliament’s right to legislate for a referendum on independence.
“Together with the constitutional and democratic case for that transfer of power, we are also publishing the draft legislation that would give effect to it.
“Of course, I anticipate that in the short term we will simply hear a restatement of the UK Government’s opposition. But they should be under no illusion that this will be an end of the matter.
“In this context, the question is often posed to me – what will you do if the Prime Minister says no?
“But the document we are publishing today turns the question on its head.
“It is for the Prime Minister to defend why he believes the UK is not a voluntary union of equal nations. It is for him to set out why he does not believe people in Scotland have the right to self-determination.
“And it is for the Prime Minister to explain why he believes it is acceptable to ignore election after election in Scotland and to over-ride a democratic mandate stronger than the one he claims for his Brexit deal.
“We live in a democracy, and ultimately democracy must and will prevail.”
VIEW THE FULL PDF DOCUMENT ON THE SCOT GOV WEBSITE:
Scotland ‘closer to deciding its own future’
Constitutional Relations Secretary Michael Russell has described the passing of the Referendums (Scotland) Bill today as an important step forward in allowing Scotland to choose its own future.
The rules approved by MSPs will ensure any future referendum covered by the Bill meet the highest international standards.
This is an article from the Scottish Government Website: https://www.gov.scot/news/approval-for-referendums-bill/
Mr Russell said:
“Today we are closer to giving the Scottish people a choice over the path our country should take. With this legislative framework in place, it only requires a short Bill for an independence referendum to be held once a transfer of power, which puts holding a referendum beyond challenge, is devolved to the Scottish Government.
“These robust regulations will allow debate to focus on the issues at stake in referendums, not procedure, and ensure that the results can be accepted by all parties.
“Legal changes are required to keep pace with the way campaigns are now conducted. To protect the space for rational, respectful debate, it must be clear who is behind online campaign activity, while those who break rules should be properly sanctioned. This Bill addresses both these issues.”
The Referendums (Scotland) Bill introduces tighter controls on social media campaigning and bigger fines for those who break the rules. It incorporates the Scottish franchise, meaning 16-year-olds and EU citizens will be eligible to vote.
Questions used in referendums will be tested by the Electoral Commission to establish they are clear, transparent and neutral. They will be valid for one parliamentary term, with a provision to extend the time limit with the Scottish Parliament’s approval. In addition, Parliament can ask the commission to review a question at any time.
Background
The Referendums (Scotland) Bill provides a legislative framework for the holding of all future referendums on devolved issues in Scotland.
It includes a requirement that online campaign material contains an imprint showing the name and address of the person responsible.
The maximum civil penalty the Electoral Commission can impose on rule breakers is increased from £10,000 to £500,000.
The Presiding Officer will submit the Bill to the Queen for Royal Assent. Once this is received, the Bill becomes an Act of the Scottish Parliament and is part of the law of Scotland.
There are moments in history when it is important to stand back from the day to day twists and turns of politics and consider some fundamental questions.
This is such a time for Scotland.
The experience of the last three and a half years has raised big questions about how we see ourselves as a country and our place in the world. Continue reading
