LABOUR ARE 'WEE FEARTIES' - SALMOND

First Minister Jack McConnell tonight claimed Scotland had "the best of both worlds" under the present devolved system. He called on politicians to make "the fullest possible use" of Holyrood's existing powers before demanding more. And he declared the improvement of education to be the most important task facing politicians.

Mr McConnell set out his argument for the constitutional status quo in a lecture in Haddington, East Lothian. The lecture was in honour of Labour MP and devolution campaigner John P. Mackintosh, who died in 1978, just before Labour denied Scotland devolution despite a majority vote in favour.

The speech was the usual rubbishing of the SNP's case for independence, coupled with a dubious warning of the perils of letting Scotland sink into a collective "inertia" by continuously debating more powers for Holyrood.

Mr McConnell's lecture came as the SNP claimed that renewed calls for greater fiscal autonomy showed a positive political tide turning towards independence. Former Presiding Officer Lord Steel last night called for greater power for Holyrood to raise the cash it spends.

A think-tank set up by the Tories called last week for Holyrood to get more tax-raising powers and two leading economists today re-stated their case for greater fiscal freedom. But in a TV interview today, Mr McConnell insisted: "My job as First Minister and leader of the Labour Party in Scotland is to say what's right, and not necessarily is the current fad."

In his lecture tonight he argued that the most important task for the third Scottish Parliament was to take the necessary steps to improve Scottish education. "Scotland has the best of both worlds - a democratic home rule Parliament and a union dividend from the UK," he said.
"Government is about priorities. And my first priority must be to act in the interests of Scotland."

"That interest is best served now and in the future by a united national effort to create the best education system in the world."

Mr McConnell came under immediate attack. SNP leader Alex Salmond said his party trusted Scots and a referendum would offer the chance to choose "a new and better relationship with Britain."

Mr Salmond went on: "Labour, on the other hand, run scared of such a debate. They are the wee fearties of Scottish politics. Their unionism is backward looking and inward looking.
"Labour want Scots to believe the incredible proposition that we are the only country in the world that isn't capable of flourishing with independence."

The First Minister has also been arguing the bizarre notion that Scotland receives "a union dividend" in the form of higher public spending and in areas like family connections, business, and the universities and a shared aim of abolishing child poverty by 2020.

"We can put the governance of Scotland in the hands of those who, in their desperation to go it alone, will happily countenance years, even decades, of constitutional upheaval - with all the divisiveness, rancour and strife such upheaval is bound to bring," he said.

"My appeal to Scots everywhere, is to reject the old arguments from those who want a separate Scotland, regardless of the consequences; but also to end talk of subsidies and dependence."

Mr McConnell seemed to happily ignore the fact that by arguing that a 'union dividend' meant higher public spending he was in fact making the same argument that Scotland was subsidised himself! Are family connections anything to do with the British union? Perhaps child poverty could be changed quicker with the normal powers of independence!

Blunkett 'gave order to gun down rioters'

You couldn't make this up. If ever anyone required absolute proof that David Blunkett was unfit for his job, here it is:

Blunkett 'gave order to gun down rioters'

FORMER Home Secretary David Blunkett told the Prison Service to machine gun rioters at Lincoln jail, it was claimed today. Martin Narey, who was director general of the service at the time, said a "hysterical" Mr Blunkett told him he did not care about any loss of life after inmates took over the prison in 2002.

Mr Blunkett has denied the claims, but today the former prisons chief stood by his allegations. He said if Mr Blunkett had insisted on retaking the prison without care about possible deaths, he would have resigned.

Mr Narey described Mr Blunkett as being "reckless not positive" during a furious late-night telephone call. And he said the only reason he had published his account was to rebut Mr Blunkett's claims that he was "dithering" over the riot and that he and his staff were not up to it.
Mr Narey said: "He shrieked at me that he didn't care about lives, told me to call in the Army and 'machine gun' the prisoners and - still shrieking - ordered me to take the prison back immediately.

"I refused. David hung up."

(from the Scotsman)

LET'S TRUST THE VOTERS

Scotland's leading Catholic, Cardinal Keith O'Brien, made headlines by saying that he would be happy if Scots backed political separation from the rest of the UK. Here, in his own words, he explains his point of view (from the Daily Record.)

WITH one small act the late John Paul II united the Scottish nation, Catholic and non-Catholic alike.

It was the 1982 Papal visit and Pope JP II descended from his plane.

Reaching the tarmac he simply knelt down and kissed the ground.

With one subtle but historical kiss he reminded the world that Scotland is a nation among nations.

This memory has never left me and has had a profound effect on how I view our country.

It is not my place to get too involved in the politics of independence. However I am happy that, if it is the wish of the people, Scotland becomes an independent country.

In my travels I have had much experience of small countries and Ihave seen what benefits independence can bring.

We need only look across the Irish Sea to feel the vibrancy of the Celtic Tiger. The recent flourishing of Ireland is also matched by the confidence and success of the various Scandinavian states.

In my experience there is an increasing move towards independence in Scotland. The people and the Members of the Scottish Parliament have increased control but not all the power they would wish for. I have just been involved in a protest against nuclear weapons, many of which are based here. I am constantly asked: "Why are we not able to say what we want in Scotland?"

Among many other things, that makes me think independence is coming, perhaps not in the next few years, but within the seeable future. One has to trace back 700 years to learn of the support of the Catholic Church for Scottish autonomy.

It was then that Pope John XXII accepted the sentiments within the Declaration of Arbroath and acknowledged the independence of our Church and our country.

One of the 'honours of Scotland' preserved in Edinburgh Castle is the 'Sword of State' presented by Pope Julius II some 500 years ago - this presentation being a recognition of Scotland as an independent country.

And post-Reformation, the independence of the Catholic Church in Scotland has been recognised throughout the world since the Restoration of the Hierarchy, our Conference of Scottish Bishops, in 1878.

I myself have just returned from Russia and a meeting of 34 heads of Bishops' Conferences in Europe.

I would also say, with respect, that the Catholic leadership in England is often perceived as part of the Establishment, whereas we are not.

In fact I think I can go further by saying we do not particularly want to be. We value our independence, which gives us the freedom to take (if needs be) a legitimate 'swipe' at the establishment.

Two obvious recent examples are the Act of Settlement and Trident.

Recently I was delighted to get a letter from Cardinal Martino, the President of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace.

He wrote praising the Scottish Church's position on Trident and stated we clearly reflected the teaching of the Church.

Scotland's bishops set a lead on this issue previously in 1982.

I would like to think also that the Long Walk for Peace from Faslane to the Scottish Parliament, led by the Moderator, with Archbishop Conti and myself also taking part with many other people of goodwill, in some ways reflected the magnificent Make Poverty History Campaign of 2005.

Then on July 2, Scotland's voice was again heard loudly and clearly from 250,000 people. Our responsibility is to be a voice for the voiceless both here in Scotland and abroad.

This responsibility is at the local parish level when we give direct help to those people who have been harmed by the ruthlessness of modern-day society.

It is also on a national level when bishops have to give a courageous lead against the creeping forces of atheistic secularismwhich is consuming and trying to destroy our Christian society.

The Church traditionally has a deep fondness for Scotland.

She recognises the distinct heritage of the nation. The country has a long and noble story to tell, a proud national narrative.

After 300 years of union the Scottish identity is alive and well.

The people are aware they are an equal partner within it. It is up to the democratic will of the people whether they decide to remain within the union or to make their country a state.

Think again of that greeting from Pope John Paul II on his arrival from England - I cannot think of a greater endorsement of nationhood than that simple act at Edinburgh Airport.

DIVIDE BETWEEN RICH AND POOR IN BRITAIN CONTINUES TO GROW

Despite ten years of Labour rule at UK level and Labour domination of almost every council and their control of the Scottish Executive (with the Lib Dems) the gap between rich and poor continues to grow ever larger.

Labour have failed to make any difference in the situation of the working class because they have sold out to Conservatism. The Blair Government was more right wing than the John Major Government and spent considerably less on health and education. Labour have failed to deliver any improvement in the circumstances of the poor throughout the UK, and have made no impact whatsoever in Scotland.

As the figures released today by the Scottish Executive reveal the situation has actually got worse. The obvious answer isn't the Conservatives under David Cameron (Tony Blair mark II with a nicer smile but the same right wing policies).

No, the answer is independence and a fairer socialist or at least social democratic Government afterwards.

REAL CELTIC CONNECTION IS MUTUAL DESIRE FOR INDEPENDENCE

Presiding Officer George Reid has said (today at the Royal Irish Academy in Dublin) that devolution within the UK and EU provide the mechanism for more direct and mutually beneficial "Celtic connections" between Ireland and Scotland.

This kind of misses the point.

The real Celtic connection is of course that independence has benefited Eire despite the British state illegally stealing a large slice of Ireland. It would obviously benefit Scotland as well to end British rule here.

Ireland will benefit from Scottish independence when it happens because the end of Britain will no doubt herald the end of British rule in Northern Ireland as well.

Scotland, Wales, Ireland and Cornwall should work together for our mutual and complete freedom from England and the English dominated Westminster Government. JOE

CAMERON BACKS FELLOW BRIT BROWN

"Don't judge Brown by his accent" says Cameron as unholy Labour/Tory alliance continues.

Tory leader David Cameron has insisted that voters should not judge Gordon Brown on his Scottishness at the next General Election. [He might as well have added, don't think about Scotland at all! - JOE]

He said the Chancellor would replace Tony Blair as Prime Minister and that electors should judge the Kirkcaldy & Cowdenbeath MP on what he says rather his accent. [Judging by what he says he's a plonker who supports the English football team, he's desperate for power and would be no better than Tony Blair - JOE]

Speaking on BBC1's The Politics Show, he said: "I think people should, will judge politicians on what they say, what they do. I think the British public are pretty good at working out who does what, who says what. That's what they should do with Gordon Brown and that's what they should do with me."

Mr Cameron, who is to make a speech in Edinburgh, said he would prove to people that the Tory Party had changed for good.

"This party is in the centre ground, that's where it's going to stay," he said. "The old policies, the old approach are not coming back and people need to know that change is for good. I think people see a politician changing his party and they want proof. They want to see it's for real and I'm going to prove it's for real."

The Tory leader said London-based politicians often made the mistake of coming north of the border and boring Scots with speeches about "institutional architecture" such as devolution or the Barnett formula, when voters cared much more about the state of their public services.

Mr Cameron said he would show Scots that he led a party which shared all of their concerns.

He continued: "And when they see that I think we've got a real opportunity because you've got the big failure of Labour and the Liberal Democrats and the independence option, which is the 'stop the world, I want to get off', which I don't think most people in Scotland want."

[Funny but he sounds just like every other UK Conservative politician and he himself was slagging Brown off a few weeks ago for saying his favourite goal was Gazza's . When push comes to shove though, he supports his fellow Brit. What a hypocrite. JOE]

Professor John Curtice, of Strathclyde University, told the BBC1 show Mr Cameron had equivocated over the matter.

He said: "If you're going to argue that you're now committed to Scotland and the Scottish Parliament, to equivocate on the number of MSPs doesn't necessarily indicate a clear sensitivity towards Scottishness and demonstrate that the Scottish Conservative Party is committed to devolution."

EVEN SELL OUT BROWN IS TOO SCOTTISH!

Gordon Brown has been trying to stress his pride in being British, but he is viewed very much as Scottish

Anti-Scottish feeling laid bare over question of next Prime Minister

Story in full GORDON Brown is facing a vociferous English backlash in his bid to become Prime Minister, according to a poll published today. The ICM survey reveals a majority of English voters believe the Labour Party would be less appealing with a Scottish leader.

The Chancellor has worked hard over the past year to project himself as a British, not a Scottish, politician, stressing his commitment to the Union and his pride in being British.

But he is seen by the public as a Scottish MP who wants to become Prime Minister and, after the devolution settlement and the problems that has caused in England, this has led to resentment.
The poll, for the More 4 show Starkey's Last Word, provides the first real evidence of just how strong anti-Scottish feelings are in England.

A total of 59 per cent of English voters said they would be "influenced" at the next election by the presence of a Scottish Labour leader. Of these, an overwhelming 93 per cent said they would be influenced in a negative way, and only 7 per cent said the influence would be positive.
The anti-Scottish feeling was even more pronounced among older people. Of the English pensioners who would be influenced by a Scottish Labour leader, 97 per cent said that influence would be negative.

Mr Brown is well aware that he cannot afford to lose the votes of any wavering voters in England. Of the 75 Labour marginal seats - defined as those where the party's majority is less than 10 per cent - 71 are in England.

The backlash has been caused, in part, by what is seen as the unfairness of the devolution settlement, which allows Scottish MPs to play their part in imposing domestic policies on England that are not imposed on their own constituents.

This so-called West Lothian Question, and the perception that Scotland does better financially than England, have caused resentment. But it is not only Mr Brown who would suffer from the anti-Scottish backlash. John Reid, the Home Secretary, has been named as a potential contender for the Labour leadership when Tony Blair retires. As a Scot and a Lanarkshire MP, he would have the same problem as Mr Brown.

[This proves that Scots are not considered equal within the British union. It's taken the absurd actions of carpet bagger Brown to show this up but obviously post devolution the English don't want a Scots PM even if he's willing to sell his soul, pretend to admire Gazza and waves the Union Jack till his fingers bleed.

If they react like this to a sell out Scot like Gordon Brown how would they react if one who was actually proud to be Scottish had a chance of becoming British PM?

Time for the sharp exit. JOE

PS: If Brown does have his ambitions dashed as PM because of his Scottish identity I wouldn't be surprised if he had the brass neck to suddenly embrace the Saltire and go for wee Jack's job. I would also not be surprised if he eventually changed his tune on independence - this is a man for whom ambition is everything, and he knows the real figures about who subsides who. It will be very interesting to watch his reaction when his fellow Brits tell him to p*ss off. If these polls continue then that is what's going to happen.]

SCOTTISH CATHOLIC LEADER BACKS INDEPENDENCE

THE leader of Scotland's Roman Catholics last night backed independence from the UK, declaring he would be "happy" if Scots wanted self government. Cardinal Keith O'Brien, in remarks that will cause shockwaves north and south of the Border, said nations such as Ireland and Denmark benefited from the "prosperity which self-determination can bring".

The 68-year-old cleric also voiced his frustration with the Scottish Parliament and predicted independence is coming "before too long".

O'Brien's comments have caused deep dismay in Labour ranks, with party sources expressing disappointment the Cardinal has chosen to stray on to such controversial political ground months before the Holyrood elections.

But there was predictable delight among the SNP, who closed their party conference yesterday in buoyant mood, convinced they can persuade Scots of the benefits of full independence at the ballot box next May.

O'Brien's remarks appear in an interview with the Catholic Herald newspaper and St Andrews University philosopher John Haldane.

Asked if the Church could be indifferent to a move towards independence in Scotland, he declared: "I would not get too involved in the politics of independence, but I am happy that, if it is the wish of the people, Scotland becomes an independent country."

He added: "In my travels I have had much experience of small countries and I have seen what benefits independence can bring.

"There is currently some frustration among the Scots about the say they have over what happens here, and that is part of what is pushing the independence movement. I can see this coming, perhaps not in the next few years, but before too long."

O'Brien concedes that, as the leader of a Scottish church which is itself independent from England, "it is difficult to argue that ecclesiastical independence is acceptable but political independence is not".

Asked by Scotland on Sunday to expand on his views, O'Brien talked up the advantages other small countries have experienced since getting independence.

He said: "Ireland would be an example of a country which has prospered since achieving independence. Additionally, other northern European countries such as Norway and Denmark exemplify the prosperity which self-determination can bring."

O'Brien also acknowledged the growth of nationalism across the nations of the UK. "I am aware of a growing sense of nationhood and national identity in England, exhibited recently during the World Cup campaign and reflected in the increasing appearance of the St George Cross at such sporting fixtures and other gatherings. In this context, Scottish national identity has always been strong. Ultimately multinational identities are harder to express than national ones."

He also picked out the current debate over the future of Britain's nuclear deterrent. O'Brien recently joined the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland in condemning plans to replace the UK's Trident system as "iniquitous, irrational and absurd".

He said: "The recent debate on Trident is instructive. The groundswell of feeling in Scotland against the Trident missile system has highlighted a deep sense of frustration among many Scots. We have no wish to pay for or host these evil weapons, yet we have no power to remove them."

SNP leader Alex Salmond said last night: "Scotland's Cardinal is a man of vision and stature. Obviously he avoids party politics, but I am delighted that he has issued such favourable signals about independence and self-determination for the nation."

"SCOTLAND IS ONLY SMALL TO THOSE WHO THINK SMALL"

Alex Salmond - SNP Leader

Scottish National Party leader Alex Salmond has delivered his vision for victory at the Scottish election. Addressing the annual conference in Perth, he said the party was "alive, kicking and winning".

Mr Salmond, who is bidding to return to Holyrood as an MSP, also claimed that support for Scottish independence was at an all-time high. He set out his plans for health, education and the economy in a hall packed with more than 1,000 delegates.

Mr Salmond told the conference that the party had a "dramatic six months" ahead, before the Holyrood elections next May as he pointed out a string of local by-election victories.
The MP said: "Today we ride on the crest of a wave - this time, in our time - there shall be change for Scotland."

He continued: "Two years ago when Nicola (Sturgeon) and I came to lead this party, I told this conference that I was not here to go through the motions, but back to rid Scotland of a small-minded managerial administration and to deliver a vision capable of touching the very soul of Scotland. "I am standing for first minister and we are running to win."

Mr Salmond, who was given a standing ovation before and after his speech, said an SNP government would give everyone a fair chance and make Scotland an international economic player. He said the burden of debt would be removed from Scottish-domiciled students and graduates and floated the idea of dedicated class teachers at secondary school.

He also raised the prospect of every home and school having a wind generator, solar panels or insulation system and gave backing to the world's first commercial carbon-capture hydro power station.

On health, Mr Salmond promised an inquiry into the problems surrounding Holyrood's flagship free personal care for the elderly policy and said there would be direct election of health board members. And he again criticised the "illegal" war in Iraq, calling for British troops to be brought home.

He also launched an attack on Labour, branding its vision of Britishness "narrow, bland and boring" and criticised Jack Straw for having the "temerity to instruct his constituents on what to wear". "Jack Straw - Alf Garnett without the braces," said Mr Salmond.

Then it was the chancellor's turn: "Gordon Brown wants to be British prime minister so he tells people to plant a Union Jack in his back garden and that Paul Gascoigne's goal against Scotland was his favourite moment," he added.

And Mr Salmond criticised First Minister Jack McConnell's often-used slogan that Scotland was "the best small country in the world".

"That one phrase encapsulates everything that is wrong with the first minister, with the executive and with our national tourist agency," he said.

"It combines the worst of what's like us with the worst of an inferiority complex. "Scotland's only small to those who think small. It's time to think big."

See a video of the speech here

SNP Plan for Scottish Olympic team

ALEX Salmond unveiled plans yesterday for Scotland to have its own Olympic team, whether or not the country is independent.

The SNP leader said that if he became First Minister next May, he would immediately start the process for Scotland to field its own team for the 2012 games.

Speaking on the first day of the SNP annual conference, Mr Salmond said there were already 13 states and territories which were not independent which had their own Olympic teams, so there was no reason Scotland could not join them.

Mr Salmond said the first step would be to convene a meeting of the governing bodies of Scotland's main sports to secure their support for the idea. If they gave their support, Mr Salmond would then approach the International Olympic Committee with a formal request for Scotland to have its own team in time for 2012 - whether or not Scotland had independence.

Mr Salmond acknowledged that there might be some athletes who preferred to compete in a British team but that is why he wanted to consult the sports administrators, to find a way through. And he argued that more Scots would have the chance to compete at the highest level with a Scottish team. He claimed that polls had shown that 78 per cent of the population backed a Scottish team.

Mr Salmond claimed that, at the last Olympics Scotland sent one athlete for every 210,000 citizens while New Zealand sent one for every 26,000 citizens.

He said: "The key thing in an Olympics is about participation and allowing a maximum amount of Scots to participate at the highest level."

Mr Salmond's plan amounts to a warning shot, fired across the bows of the BOA, showing that it that it might end up in a much worse position if it continues in its attempts to field a British football team in 2012.

"If we had a Scottish Olympic team, there would be no need for warfare between the BOA and the SFA and all athletes in all sports would have a better chance of being represented at a national level," he said.

Lesley McKenna, the British Olympic snowboarder from Aviemore, said athletes are happy to represent Scotland . "If there was a Scottish Olympic team, I would be very happy to be in it for sure" she said.

Wales and Scotland 'will be free nations'

Plaid Cymru president Dafydd Iwan has called on Scotland and Wales to keep working towards "freedom" from Westminster. Addressing the SNP conference currently under way in Perth, Iwan said the day was approaching when both Scotland and Wales would be free nations.
He used his keynote speech on Friday to reveal statistics from the latest opinion polls carried out on behalf of Plaid which show support for Plaid is still growing ahead of the assembly elections next May.

And he said it was evident that the SNP had a "great chance" of success at the Scottish elections, also being held in May. "People in Scotland and Wales have had enough of Labour spin, the undermining of local democracy and civil rights, increasing centralism and warmongering," Iwan told SNP delegates.

"And as the day approaches when Wales and Scotland will be free nations, we must not let the trappings of power diminish the dream of freedom, or tarnish our vision.

"What the SNP and Plaid Cymru are about is the most exciting of all political projects - freeing the potential of our respective nations for the benefit of all our people.

"And this new freedom will mean the creation of a new dynamic relationship between all the nations of the British Isles, which will be to the benefit of all who live in these islands.

"When we are all free to be true to our own identity, we can then work together to help create a world where humanity triumphs, and wars and oppression will be things of the past."

Why BBC's political show refused Scottish question

The Scottish Labour and Lib Dem parties both decided in the constitutional (devolution) convention that broadcasting powers should be devolved to Scotland.

Those powers mysteriously disappeared when the bill went through Westminster and Tony Blair specifically interfered to stop a Scottish 6 O'Clock News programme.

This story explains why we need broadcasting to be controlled in Scotland and the only way this will happen is by voting for independence. - JOE

Why BBC's political show refused Scottish question

THE BBC last night defended its decision to prevent a Question Time audience member from making a point about Scottish politics on a programme being filmed in Glasgow.
Martin Grey, of Motherwell, was chosen to join the audience for the show, which is being broadcast tonight.

But when he told a researcher that he planned to ask the panel about the Scottish Liberal Democrats' pledge not to enter a coalition with the Scottish National Party because of its commitment to an independence referendum, he was told his question would not be allowed.
Mr Grey said: "[The researcher] stated this question would not be appropriate as Question Time is aimed at a UK audience and requires questions to be both timely and relevant to the UK.

"Asked if there was any room for a Scottish-specific question with interest to the whole of the
UK, on a programme filmed in Scotland, [the researcher] answered 'No'."

Last night, a spokesman for the BBC said: "Every week on Question Time, we have to ensure that the discussion reflects the big national UK and international stories.

"Unfortunately, when there is a busy news agenda, it is not possible to ask every question that those in the audience would like to ask," he added.

http://news.scotsman.com/politics.cfm?id=1509072006

Tommy Sheridan and Lloyd Quinan's speeches at Independence First Demo

Lloyd Quinan's speech

Tommy Sheridan's speech

See more at : http://www.youtube.com/group/independencefirst

Videos from the Independence First Scottish Democracy March on 30th September

Shot from Kev Williamson's phone.

Here's another video of the march featuring SNP rep. Aileen Campbell's speech.

First of a set of three videos of the march, there's a lot more on : http://www.youtube.com/group/independencefirst

INDEPENDENCE MOVEMENT UNITES FOR DEMOCRACY FOR SCOTLAND RALLY

Campaigners who are calling for a referendum on Scottish independence have had a highly successful march and rally in Edinburgh.

On Saturday 30th September around a thousand people marched behind a full pipe band from East Market Street onto Princes Street, up the mound, over George IV Bridge and down the Royal Mile to end up at a rally outside the Scottish Parliament.

The march and rally, for Independence First http://www.independence1st.com/ the Scottish independence referendum campaign was a substantial demonstration and a spokesperson for the campaign said it was "a powerful message to the Scottish parliament that democracy will not be denied."

There was an excellent turnout of members of the public and political activists from all the various groups who support Scottish independence (including the four pro-independence parties which have representatives in the Scottish parliament). Independence First had distributed 10,000 leaflets for the event and have also launched an e-petition through the Scottish Parliament website which has a further month to go.

Speakers included the SNP, SSP, Greens and Solidarity parties plus Bill Wilson, Lloyd Quinan and Campbell Martin MSP as well as the band Scotia and singer Ted Christopher who provided entertainment.

The rally began with an outline of the situation that had led to the union by Dr Tony Parker an academic from the University of Dundee. Parker pointed out that political control had been lost with the 1603 union of crowns as had trade with France.

The English Government eventually effectively threatened Scotland with invasion after cutting off her trade routes and bribed the politicians of the day.

Bill Wilson of the SNP who spoke for Independence First pointed out that these politicians "fled through the back door" from an angry mob and the numerous petitions lodged by the Scottish public against the union.

Wilson said the importance of Independence First was that it was broad enough to include absolutely everyone who supported independence and he also mentioned the e-petition IF are running through the Scottish Parliament (sign at:

epetitions.scottish.parliament.uk/view_petition.asp)

Independence First activist Chris Osborne gave some of the history of Independence First and explained that the movement had started from initial internet discussions around a small group of activists who were deliberately drawn from different political opinions to think up ideas to promote independence. These ideas eventually solidified behind the referendum proposal as being the best route to achieve the maximum possible support for independence and the campaign had grown from there.

Tommy Sheridan MSP of Solidarity said that his vision was of a free socialist republic without nuclear weapons and he fully endorsed Independence First's call for a democratic referendum as the first step towards that aim.

Carolyn Leckie MSP of the Scottish Socialist Party said that her commitment to Independence had been absolute ever since she was a young child and that Scottish independence was the key to unlocking a much fairer society.

Aileen Campbell of the Scottish National Party blasted the Liberal Democrats for ruling out an Independence Referendum "How can they call themselves Democrats?" she asked. "Make no mistake if we win an election we will hold our referendum and will win it for the people of Scotland" she pledged.

Lloyd Quinan announced that the campaign had received supportive messages from other national independence groupings in the Basque Country, Catalonia and Corsica. "There is huge international support behind our cause. Our simple demand for a referendum on independence can be respected by any democrat.

To a resounding cheer he said "I am Scottish not British". He added "Anything the British or Brutish Imperial State does, it doesn't do in my name or the name of the people of Scotland we need our own international voice."

Activists from all parties and groups were impressed by the organisation of the event and the substantial turnout. Douglas Blackie an SNP activist from Aberdeen commented "This was a fantastic day and a fantastic march. I'd say it was bigger than the SNP's Bannockburn marches, it's the best march I've seen for years."

Brian Archibald a Shop Steward from Midlothian commented "This was the broadest and most positive political demonstration I can remember from twenty years campaigning for independence."

Joe Middleton Press Officer of Independence First said the march "was a powerful message to the Scottish parliament that democracy will not be denied for the people of Scotland." and he also said it proved the worth of having a campaign purely about support for a democratic referendum on independence.

"The great turnout here today proves that our campaign has genuine political weight. The next step will be to call for a million people to use their votes for independence in the first and second votes for the Scottish Parliament. One million people is not a lot of voters in a country of 45 million and it's well within the grasp of the independence movement if we work together."

ROCKSTAR NORTH ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR EXCITING CHALLENGING GAMES

They are not responsible for people shooting themselves and others when they should never have had access to guns in the first place.

I have played and enjoyed all the GTA games. They are an incredible feat in that you interact with (almost) a living briefing city, can drive for miles and yes, as this is a gangster game have shoot outs with the cops and whack pedestrians with baseball bats.

Rockstar didn't invent thugs, murder or bad behaviour they merely created an immersive gaming experience which is streets ahead of every similar game. They also made huge amounts of money while doing so. This has presumably made them a target of lawyers.

The GTA games are GAMES. If they make you want to go and kill someone then guess what, you're away with it already and could be set off by any aspect of the media from a bit on tv news to a film or a cartoon!

Adult games are built for responsible adults to enjoy, the fact that some unfortunate decides to imitate art is not the fault of the publisher it is the fault of the sick society which allows everyone access to guns then wonders why people get constantly shot.

Mike Russell's 'ideas' of a new Union belong in the Dustbin

Your letters (Glasgow Herald)
September 26 2006

YOU report that Mike Russell's new book poses "a dilemma" for the SNP's policy in holding a referendum on independence in a first term of government (September 25).

It does not. Recent opinion polls show that independence is the favoured option of the majority of Scots. Pete Ellis's letter shows that many from other parties are coming round to the idea.

Mike Russell's suggestion of a "New Union" whereby foreign affairs would continue to be a "reserved matter" meaning Westminster would continue to deny Scots a voice in the United Nations will find little support in the SNP, and it is interesting that Mr Russell launched his book after his party's list rankings had been voted upon in the South of Scotland where he achieved second place ahead of candidates who are more committed to current SNP policy and genuine independence.

Gavin Fleming, 517 Webster's Land, Grassmarket, Edinburgh.

I REFER to Monday's article outlining a paper produced by Mike Russell, entitled Grasping the Thistle. I have no doubt that the overwhelming number of SNP members will consign this paper to the dustbin, as will I.

This paper outlines some ideas that are anathema to the principles of the party. The SNP has a proud pro-public-sector ethos, believes in a taxation system that is fair and based on the ability to pay, and has an excellent track record and policy development on international issues. These key principles chime with the Scottish electorate.

On the other hand, this British New Labour government's record on foreign policy is far removed from the ethical one that was proposed by New Labour in 1997. I would not wish Scotland to share sovereignty on these issues.

I am deeply opposed to the war in Iraq, and I find the military aid this British government gives to countries such as Colombia, the most dangerous place in the world to be a trade-union activist, to be deeply repugnant.

Our civic nationalism is not ugly, and neither is our internationalism. That is why SNP members will reject any notion of shared sovereignty on defence and foreign policy.

Chris Stephens, 25 Allan Avenue, Renfrew.

WHETHER the ideas contained in Mike Russell's forthcoming book represent New Nationalism or New Unionism will have to await publication and a thorough examination. But the economic prospectus contained in his book, as outlined in your sister Sunday publication, seem very similar, and in some cases virtually identical, to those commentators who espouse a neo-liberal agenda.It is politically inevitable that the epithet "tartan Tory" will be accorded, by the SNP's political opponents, to those who promote vouchers in our education system and the abolition of inheritance tax.

SNP members like me will, on the other hand, await with real anticipation the publication of Mike's book before we pass judgment. His proposal, for instance, to freeze public spending is not a million miles away from a proposal put forward some time ago by Alex Neil, who suggested savings on the abolition of Trident could be used to put a peg on taxes; however, as Mike seems to propose leaving defence and foreign affairs in the hands of Westminster, albeit temporarily, the runes are not good.

As the old Scottish saying goes: "If you fly with the neo-liberal craws, then you will be shot with the neo-liberal craws."

Bill Ramsay, 84 Albert Avenue, Glasgow.

Liberal Democrats not democratic about Scotland

Labour's Buddy Nicol Stephen - Still denying Scotland a choice on Union

Lib Dems flag up home rule block to SNP pact

DEPUTY First Minister Nicol Stephen has ruled out a coalition with the SNP if they insist on holding a referendum on independence. In an interview with Scotland on Sunday on the eve of this week's Lib Dem conference, the Scottish party leader issued a firm denial that he would agree to a referendum in return for a seat in an SNP cabinet.

Speculation has been mounting at Holyrood that the Lib Dems were considering a coalition with the Nationalists after next May's election. However, in order to do so, the two parties would need to agree on the SNP's plans to hold an independence referendum.

Stephen was believed to have been open-minded about the issue but he said: "We are clearly opposed to a referendum on independence. We are not a party that supports independence, and the only reason for holding a referendum would be as a first step to separation."

Aides said Stephen's opposition to a referendum was unbending. It leaves the prospect of an SNP-Lib Dem pact looking increasingly unlikely, and the likelihood of the Lib Dems once again heading for a partnership with Labour after next year's poll.

Talk of an SNP-Lib Dem coalition has been talked up following several polls over the summer which show the two parties gaining ground on Labour, suggesting they could gain enough seats to win a majority in the Scottish Parliament.

Stephen claimed the Lib Dems had a realistic chance of becoming the largest party in Scotland after next May's poll. As a result, he revealed that he intended to scrap the clause in the party's current constitution which states that after a Scottish election, it should speak to the largest party.

"We will delete the clause that says we must speak to the largest party because we believe we will be the largest party," he said.

Stephen's categorical opposition to an independence referendum was criticised by SNP leader

Alex Salmond last night. "What Mr Stephen should do is reflect on the fact that by a margin of more than two-to- one, Liberal voters support an independence referendum, and by a similar margin they oppose a continuing coalition with the Labour party," Salmond said.

"If they continue to stay in Labour's pocket, then they will be destroyed by the electorate. If the SNP win the election, then we will be entitled to ask for a mandate.

"That is the decision of the electorate and a party that tries to gainsay that will find themselves in desperate trouble with the Scottish electorate."

Liberal Democrats not democratic about Scotland

From: Letters (Glasgow Herald) September 25 2006

AS A former Liberal Democrat activist who returned my party card after 20 years in protest at the revolting coup which overthrew Charles Kennedy, I find little in Malcolm Bruce's letter (September 23) to tempt me back. Mr Bruce appears to echo the outright rejection by Nicol Stephen of an independence referendum as some sort of warped "principle".

As a Liberal Democrat I was never troubled by the idea of independence either way. I have certainly never seen it as "separatism" as Nicol Stephen claimed six times in a single interview last week, and there are, indeed, many LibDems within my former party who regard it as a positive move.

I can recall attending fringe meetings on behalf of democratic rights in such countries as Burma, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Tibet and Iran at Liberal Democrat conferences.

Why does my former party oppose the same rights for Scotland, and what are my former colleagues so afraid of losing if Scotland opts for self-determination? Their careers, perhaps? If that is all that remains of our once great party then there is precious little reason left to vote Liberal Democrat next year. With a lot of regret I now announce myself a first-time floating voter in 2007.

Pete Ellis, Marshall Lodge, Station Road, Coupar Angus

A LibDem voter’s reasons for not doing it again
Your letters
September 26 2006

TRY as I may, I cannot do other than deplore the LibDem decision to rule out any form of a pact with the SNP in the certain event of no party winning a majority of votes in the Holyrood election. The greatest thing the LibDems have done in recent years was to vote against the Iraq war. It was a stand that won the admiration of many of us.

Events have shown their principled and clearly thought-out position to be well founded. The war has exacerbated Iraq's problems rather than solved them. Now we have a situation in which more people are dying per month in Iraq than were killed in 9/11, torture is far more prevalent than in the days of Saddam and the country has spiralled into civil war. It was this stand that secured my vote at the General Election.

The LibDems now, however, have apparently jettisoned principle and are only too willing to jump back into bed after the Holyrood elections with the party whose leader, Tony Blair, led Britain into that war on a tissue of lies. Any attempt by the LibDems to argue spuriously that Labour north and south of the border are two distinct entities is farcical. Scottish constituency Labour parties not only send MSPs to Holyrood, they also send MPs to Westminster. And Scottish Labour MPs were among those who most vociferously lampooned Charles Kennedy when he attempted to put the case for not going to war.

Labour deserves to be punished north and south of the border but the LibDems are apparently not prepared to participate in its punishment. In fact, quite the reverse is true. It should be noted that the LibDems have not ruled out continuing in coalition with Labour. And Labour knows that only a big LibDem vote can cause it to retain control in Scotland. In short, yesterday's men and women of principle have, in effect, let it be known that they will be tomorrow's Labour fellow-travellers.

A B Robertson, Window Rock, Innellan.

Letter from Scotsman:

Points of view

Referendum

The Liberal Democrats tell us that they will not enter a pact with the SNP unless the SNP drops its plans to hold a referendum on independence, which is about as silly a statement as insisting that they won't enter into a pact with vegetarians unless they drop their aversion to eating meat. Democrats? You must be joking.

David McEwan Hill Sandbank, Argyll

NEW LABOUR ARE EMBARRASSED BY MEMORY OF JAMES CONNOLLY

The ‘controversy’ of Edinburgh Council having a tribute to James Connolly (Herald and Evening News 14/09) is very interesting because it shows Labour up in their true colours.

What do we know about Connolly? Well we know he was a Marxist socialist who was a brilliant and inspirational speaker in the streets of Edinburgh and in the Meadows. We also know that he was an internationalist who supported independence for Ireland and Scotland and that he put his money where his mouth is. When he saw an opportunity to help Ireland towards independence he took it and was shot by the British state for his troubles.

We know then that Connolly was a highly principled man who was willing to die for his beliefs. He was also a true son of Edinburgh, so surely a monument to this great man would be a ‘no-brainer’ particularly considering that Edinburgh has a huge amount of people of Irish descent. Hibernian FC anyone?

Unfortunately today’s Labour party is a pale pink shadow of the socialism espoused by Connolly. The former leader of the council Donald Anderson even recently branded his own employees, council planners, as ‘Communists’ proving that he does not even know what the word actually means!

Ewan Aitken, the new Labour leader of Edinburgh Council recently tried to distance himself from Tony Blair (no doubt hoping to escape the bloodbath at the next elections) but he still wears the same Rosette and he still supports London rule for Scotland.

James Connolly was a genuine hero of the working classes in Scotland and Ireland. He was one of the most powerful speakers of his generation. Both he and his contemporary in Glasgow John MacLean opposed the horrific slaughter of World War One and the horrific abuse of the people of Ireland by British regiments.

If Edinburgh City Council want to be remembered as cowards and anti-Irish bigots then they are going the right way about it. If they want to line up with the Tories and condemn the memory of a much better man than any of them then of course they can do so, but they should expect an appropriate response.

At the next council and Scottish elections the people of Edinburgh and Glasgow can easily get rid of these so called ‘Labour’ shysters who are embarrassed by the memory of real socialists but are still happy enough to take money from the pockets of trade unionists like James Connolly today.

It’s easy, vote them all out and elect some local councillors who have pride in their own country and believe in a fairer society.

Labour's Brown and Alexander are excellent examples of the Scottish Cringe

An enthusiastic display of the Scottish cringe
Your letters (Herald)
September 11 2006

Wendy Alexander's carefully timed pro-GB polemic on nationalists and nationalism appears to be based on a false premise. Mercifully she spared us from the worst aspects of the Chancellor's Little Englander pitch to the south-east.

It was Boswell who said: "I do, indeed, come from Scotland, but I cannot help it." The Scottish cringe is surely most enthusiastically displayed by those Scots who genuinely seem to believe that Scots are uniquely incapable of taking responsibility for their own affairs and take every opportunity to broadcast that belief. We will doubtless be hearing much more of this in the months to come.

These are the people who have been entrusted with our government for decades and have presided with overweening complacency over its managed decline. They have neither ideas nor interest in how we might genuinely improve our own lot and contribute meaningfully to the wider world as other small, successful independent nations in Europe have done.

Kenneth MacColl, 24 Alexandra Place, Oban.

WENDY Alexander believes that the number of Scots living in England constitutes some sort of case for preservation of the Union. What a pity that on the same day that Wendy's witterings appeared in The Herald, Simon Hoggart in The Guardian described Scots living in England as "immigrants". Union? Wot Union?

Dougie Lockhart, 25 Barnhill Road, Dumbarton.

So first Gordon Brown and now Wendy Alexander are crowing about the fact that nearly 50% of Scots now have relatives in England. Others have pointed out that increasing international exchange of population is a global feature brought about by better communications and transport - but is absolutely no indication of the wish of any country's citizens to be governed from outwith their borders.

However, the reason for Scots having so many relatives in England is a dismal one. As increasing numbers of decisions about Scotland, economic or other, are taken outside Scotland, so the number of graduate-level jobs available in Scotland dwindles. Scotland has always produced more graduates per head than the rest of the UK, but has fewer graduates actually resident in the population. In other words, if they do not want to spend their lives serving burgers, a massive number of our new graduates (the proportion quoted used to be one-third but is no doubt higher now) have to take the long road south. And often never come back.

One swallow doesn't make a summer, and a temporary influx of Polish workers looking to make a bit of dosh before returning home does not counteract the fact that Scotland is the only country in Europe whose population is on the decline. Gordon Brown and Wendy Alexander are proud of this. Gordon Brown's ambitions for himself may scale Mount Olympus.

His ambitions for his country languish at the bottom of the Dead Sea.

Mary McCabe, 25 Circus Drive, Glasgow.

Gordon Brown says the 1707 takeover of Scotland has been really beneficial for Scotland because so many Scots have moved to England.If it was so good for Scotland why, then, did so many Scots leave for a better standard of life to England and so many other countries?

C Donaldson, 59 Kelvinhaugh Street, Glasgow.