Excellent video of Question Time

March for Scottish Independence with Independence First in Edinburgh on 31/03.

Journalists seem to have already decided May election

The Editor
The Scotsman

16/02/2007

Sir,

Have I missed something? Has the election already happened? Surely we need to actually wait for the results before deciding that a majority of independence supporting MSP's won't happen? The SNP are running very high in the polls and could easily be the biggest party. The Scottish Socialist Party and Greens traditionally actually poll much better than their poll rankings. Sheridan's Solidarity is well organised and has the most powerful speaker in Scottish politics at its helm.

The Scotsman's current editorial stance seems to have been inherited from Andrew Neil, an individual who has never had any keen interest in Scotland and has always (like many others) been dazzled by the power of Westminster.

The fact no-one wants to positively back the union on your website might be an indication that you are backing the wrong horse.

Why remain in thrall to London rule? Why not put Scotland first? Like the Scottish people, what do you really have to lose?

Yours faithfully,

Joe Middleton

Don't castigate the SNP based on imaginary decisions

This got in the Evening News but was chopped a bit.

http://edinburghnews.scotsman.com/letters.cfm?id=279102007

The Editor
The Evening News

Sir,

I am an admirer of Ian Swanson. I think he is an excellent journalist and I was therefore a little disappointed to read his column about the SNP's flagship policy of a referendum on Scottish independence.

Whoever the SNP anonymous source is that Swanson quotes he must be aware that he is doing the party no favours with his suggestion that the SNP might renege on their commitment to a referendum. I therefore doubt this unnamed individual's genuine commitment to the Scottish independence cause. Who does this idea benefit? Only the SNP's adversaries in the Scottish parliament.

It is unfortunate that our politicians are amongst the most mistrusted individuals around. To a certain extent of course they have only themselves to blame, however by making speculations like this and suggesting that the SNP would betray their supporters in this fashion, effectively the Evening News is encouraging the public to view the SNP as untrustworthy before they have even tasted Government!

The SNP's raison detre is independence and it can reasonably be expected that the party will do everything to achieve that goal.

By all means castigate the SNP (or welcome their change of heart) if they do decide in Government to waive the referendum idea (and commit political suicide) but please don't insult our intelligence by suggesting it just now simply because it suits the Scotsman group's political prejudices.

Yours faithfully,

Joe Middleton

LIB DEM HYPOCRITES ATTACK SNP FOR XENOPHOBIA

Douglas Fraser in the Herald writes:

This pre-coalition courting ritual between LibDems and SNP - Nationalists doing some rough wooing, while the LibDems play hard-to-get - will see Nationalists deflated after this weekend.

I replied:

Why? The childish claims of xenophobia towards the SNP are rank hypocrisy. The imperialist nationalism favoured by the British state is indeed xenophobic however the desire for liberation of Scotland is a civic based nationalism ie including everyone who lives here.

You know that I know that and the public are not daft enough to believe anything different. This is something which is recycled regularly by the unionist parties but it is not new and it¹s certainly not true. I think the SNP will be satisfied that the Lib Dems have shown themselves to be political hypocrites.

Call them whatever else, but don't even hint at a link between the Scottish independence movement and the ethnic nationalists in other parts of Europe, often on the ugly, anti-immigrant far right. There's nothing Alex Salmond hates more, having worked hard to prove it wrong.

Of course they don't like the implication because it's not true. In any case most independence movements in Europe are on the left not the right. Look at Wales, Ireland, Catalonia, the Basque Country.

Mr Fraser replied:

Thanks for your response. While you make strongly partisan points - and you're obviously entitled to do so - I don't think your arguments are at odds with what I wrote in the article to which you refer. You're welcome to make these same points through the letters page or on our website.

To which I replied:

Thanks for your comments.

It’s beyond dispute that British nationalism has a xenophobic character based on its imperial roots unlike Scottish nationalism. There is clearly an anti immigration agenda which has been pushed by the Daily Mail and other right of centre tabloids and which has been aped in Government by the Home Office and by the statements of leading figures in the Conservative Party and that’s before you even get to the BNP.

Also most nationalist movements in Europe which are roughly equivalent to the SNP ARE on the political left. Don’t you agree? If so why are you suggesting the SNP will be damaged by the language of the Lib Dems? Is it not more logical that the Lib Dems will be damaged for their hypocrisy in saying one thing about having a nice campaign and then promptly doing the exact opposite?

---

My good friend Ray Bell also sent me over this:

So the Scottish Lib Dems label the SNP "xenophobic", but meanwhile it's alright to vote members of a fascist party into council positions south of the border. Beggars belief!

"Despite repeated public statements that the Lib-Dems would never work with the BNP, or support BNP representatives gaining senior positions on decision-making bodies, two Lib-Dem members of the council voted for the BNP candidate to become a board member of Padiham Life. The Lib-Dem members who voted for Cllr Wilkinson being Cllrs Jones and Sumner."

http://politicalhackuk.blogspot.com/2007/01/burnley-lib-dems-back-bnp.html

ANDREW LUMSDEN: INDEPENDENCE MOVEMENT LOSES ONE OF IT'S BRIGHTEST STARS

I've just heard that Andrew Lumsden has died suddenly. Andrew was a passionate advocate of the Scottish independence cause and was our SNP candidate in Midlothian in 1992. He was about 35 at the time and hit Midlothian like the political equivalent of a tornado. An economics lecturer from Galashiels he had an instinctive grasp of the local politics in Midlothian and he could speak to the people in a honest and forthright manner.

Andrew was a massive and lasting inspiration to me and all the other SNP activists in Midlothian. He was a very fine speaker and a staunch socialist. He was one of the first people who really inspired me in politics and he had the fight and heart to take on Labour in their heartland.

Andrew believed he could win in Midlothian and he convinced his young team of activists that we could win as well. Even though the SNP didn't win the election we saw a massive increase in our vote (from around 4,000 to over 10,000 votes) and the series of public meetings that he spoke at and organised were very influential in later local government successes in the area.

The Free by '93 campaign was a watershed one for the SNP, it was extremely hard fought and Andrew was our candidate for a full three years before the election during which he tirelessly worked to build up the party in the area.

Andrew helped local miners in their successful bid to re-open Monktonhall colliery he took their campaign to the European (he was always a very strong advocate of the benefits of independent EU membership) and Westminster Parliaments and while their campaign was led by the miners themselves Andrew made a massive political push on their behalf and he joined the consortium when the pit was re-opened.

Along with Jim Sillars and Alex Neil he spoke at Miners clubs right across Midlothian and he gave the Labour party a real fright. He exposed the closure of Greenhall high school and we made school closures a central part of our local election campaign just after the general election in 1992.

Andrew was by far the best SNP candidate we ever had in Midlothian and we have never seen his like again. He was a massive inspiration to everyone who met him and his socialist values combined with his strong political nous had a lasting impact on us all.

Andrew and Alex Neil wrote an influential joint paper 'Poverty Amidst Plenty' about the economics of independence that can be read here: Poverty Amidst Plenty

I have enclosed a couple of Andrew's Press Releases from the Advertiser (see this page) It really was an amazing campaign in Midlothian and Andrew encouraged me (and others like Dave Moyes and Brian Archibald) to support him by writing press releases and letters and he gave us free reign to write anything we liked on the campaign's behalf.

His faith in my abilities was a great boost to my confidence at the time and his astute political advice over many years afterwards was invaluable to me personally. The funeral is being held next Wednesday, 14th Feb at Cloyster Chapel, Warriston Crematorium at 2.30pm. His wife Sheila can be contacted by Email: shiela@lumsden.biz

The Ladder of (dis)Respect

The way Westminster treats Wales tells us a lot about their priorities. Wales was offered a drasticaly reduced version of the powers in the Scottish Parliament. Since then Westminster has had to re-visit the Wales Act to provide more powers however it still falls far short of Scottish levels.

Plaid Cymru undoubtedly want independence but they have obviously decided to work on a gradualist basis building support for more powers for the existing assembly rather than going straight for independence.

However given that Wales like Scotland is a recognised country what justification do Labour have for providing different powered assemblies?

Quite simply it is because England gained power over Wales earlier and they feel that Wales can be more easily ignored. Labour are ignoring Scotland as well because polls are showing majority support for independence however it's all part of the same game.

Wales is at least better off than Cornwall which has been almost completely absorbed into England and while Cornwall has an active independence movement as well (Mebyon Kernow) Cornwall is completely ignored altogether with zero provision for devolution there despite a massive 50,000 petition in favour by Cornish nationalists.

Nationalities within the UK occupy a ladder of respect. Independent Ireland is treated with the most respect by the UK though for a long time their people were treated the worst and were victims of appalling levels of racism (Irish 'jokes' anyone?)

Scotland are lower down on the ladder but the success of the SNP has pushed the independence argument higher up the agenda and we have gained a stronger parliament. Wales is lower still and Cornwall is at the bottom.

Sick of Racism? Break the Union

The news that the BNP are having a party political broadcast and their leaflets distributed with public money is disturbing and there is no doubt that this so called party is in reality a racist organisation which is intended to stir up hatred against non-white people.

Sadly however the other British parties are little better and have played the race card when it suits them. Remember the comment that asylum seekers should be "sent to an island far, far away"? It wasn't the BNP who said that but Oliver Letwin of the Conservative Party during the last elections.

It's not hard to work out why various skinheads and right wing groups love to wave the Union Jack. The British Empire was utterly racist in it's attitude towards other cultures and effectively exploited almost every country on the planet. Hitler was on record as greatly admiring the British Empire.

If we want to end the British imperialist culture of imagined superiority towards other nations and the xenophobic attitudes which feed of this then we need to break up the union which pushed this distorted world view in the first place.

Scottish independence supporters want equality with other nations. This Labour Government wants something more than equality.

Tony Blair says Britain must be prepared to use what he terms 'hard power' or military force against other nations, rather than what he describes as 'soft power' ie democratic negotiations. He recently told MP's: "You have to be prepared... to be engaged with hard power where it is right and necessary to do so. You only get the ability to use 'soft' power properly if you are prepared to do the other difficult things."

The end of Britain would signal the final end of imperial ambition. It would be a reality check for our sadly out of touch Labour Government and would allow Scotland to adopt a rational position on world affairs. This would almost certainly not include wasting money on buying a new generation of Trident or letting our young soldiers be killed in an illegal war which has inflamed the Middle East and led to the deaths of around half a million Iraqi civilians.

Choose Freedom Not Empire

CHURCH BIGOTRY AGAINST GAY ADOPTION IS WRONG

I wonder who the Catholic church think they are actually representing with this stand?

Perhaps they should actually consult with their parishioners before taking a bigoted stand against a minority in the community. I very much doubt most Christian church goers would support this stance.

The new testament is all about tolerance and understanding of others. The idea that one section of the community can be legally discriminated against is quite disgusting.

Anyone remember the Nazis?

In Scotland we should be completely against discrimination and every political party should support the removal of discriminatory laws. I was very proud of the Scottish Parliament for ridding us of Section 2A aka Section 28 and I wish they would show a bit more leadership this this time as well.

It is morally wrong to discriminate between married and unmarried people in the 21st century no matter what their sexual orientation. Those who are prepared to justify this are not true Christians and they don't represent the attitude of the New Testament which basically boils down to 'treat others as you would like to be treated yourself'.

It's at times like these I'm glad I decided to become an atheist.

IRISH STAR ADRIAN DUNBAR BACKS INDEPENDENCE FIRST

Irish film actor Adrian Dunbar, star of 'the General' and 'Hear My Song' has backed Independence First the Scottish Independence Referendum campaign, Mr Dunbar says:

"In 1916 James Connolly, a boy from the Cowgate in Edinburgh realised a last chance for Independence was presenting itself to the Irish people. He knew how important it was to seize the opportunity as events can overtake you and timing is everything. By his actions and those of his friends (who came from all creeds and classes and political persuasion) he went on to secure the rights and privileges existent in modern Ireland. Scotland may not be in O,Caseys words "rotten ripe for rebellion" but the quiet tartan revolution is gaining momentum and through Independence First the Scottish people can begin to seize the moment and take their place again amongst the nations where their enlightened voice, good humour and moral courage is so badly needed. yours citizen by the grace of Connolly Adrian Dunbar."

Excellent video of Lloyd Quinan being interviewed in Sardinia by iRS

www.scottishindependence.com/sardinia.htm

FAILED TORY 'LORDS' ATTACK SCOTTISH INDEPENDENCE

With friends like this, Tony Blair needs more enemies. Today 'Lord ' Forsyth, probably the most unpopular Secretary of State for Scotland ever and one of the men along with 'Lord' Lang who presided over the Tories collapse to zero seats in Scotland have yet again attacked Scottish Independence hopes.

It's time these relics were shoved out of the Lords and onto the doll queue. After independence their cushy positions, large salaries and ermine robes will be put in the dustbin and there is no place better designed for this shower of no-hopers!

Former leader of the Liberal Democrats 'Lord' Steel also attacks Scottish independence despite his own party supposedly believing in a federal UK.

Despite huge desire for devolution, both Ian Lang and Michael Forsyth ignored the will of the Scottish people (who had already voted in 1979 for devolution) and forced Tory policies down our throats. They received a richly deserved order of the boot when they were wiped out in Scotland (they still have only one MP in Scotland today).

They want devolution to go in reverse, Lord Forsyth has called for it to be removed on a number of occasions, however the logic of devolution is that if we want more powers over our own affairs then the only way is independence.

WALES,SCOTLAND, CORNWALL, ENGLAND, IRELAND

To: ALL those who support the principle of self determination and the freedom of ALL the countries listed. It's time to work together on a common strategy to free our nations from the British Union which suits politicians from the British Labour and Conservative parties and no-one else.

Contact me if you want to help take this further.

joe.middleton@blueyonder.co.uk

For more info see: www.scottishindependence.com

I believe 2007 can be the year freedom begins for all our nations. We can do it if we work together. Let's begin now.

Scotland has a different experience from Wales but it's similar. We have been provided with a stronger parliament (but not as strong as was actually demanded or initially proposed). In both countries the local Labour parties pour scorn on the financial capabilities of both nations to support independence. Our experience is similar and our main nationalist political parties are very similar also.

Ireland has had a different experience from Scotland but again there are considerable similarities. The Unions of 1801 and 1707 happened for very similar reasons. Ireland was brutally suppressed at the height of Empire. It's fight for full independence was cruelly cut short and it's people were finagled out of the independence they had voted for as a nation in a crucial area. A Scottish King laid the foundation of that injustice but together as United Irishman and Scotsmen we have fought against the harsh injustice of British rule.

Cornwall is one of the oldest Celtic nations and has as much right to that title as Wales or Scotland however because it was taken over by England so long ago it has been marginalised and possibly treated the worst of all the Celtic countries (the others are at least officially recognised as countries). The idea it is merely a county of England is an insult. Mebyon Kernow is the forgotten nationalist party but it deserves similar recognition to the SNP and Plaid Cymru.

England is only just waking up to an uncomfortable experience of being politically excluded and it forms by far the largest element in Britain with the largest population (around 83-85% of the British Union). It is therefore a major player in the Union (and was it's historical instigator) however the Union no longer suits England either as many are now deciding (59% at last count).

England's unique political views ARE being ignored by a cabal of Scottish Labour ministers who are ruling England and pushing through legislation by the votes of Scottish MP's who have no genuine interest in Scotland or England. Often Scottish MP's are voting for legislation which has been rejected in Scotland. This is not fair and we need to have mutual independence to sort this 'West Lothian Question'.

BIG BROTHER HAS HIGHLIGHTED BRITISH IMPERIAL RACISM

There is a connection (albeit a tenuous one) between the recent controversy in C4's 'celebrity Big Brother' and Scottish independence. What we have in Britain is a state that still thinks of themselves (delusionally) as a world power. This has been obvious from the actions of Tony Blair and also recent comments by him.

This is part of the historic attitudes of the British Empire which like all imperial nationalism was based upon the superiority of the home culture over the local natives who were exploited for their wealth and often raped, enslaved or sometimes incorporated into Britain's militarity might as soldiers (much like the Nazis and the Romans did as well).

The British Empire is over but the imperial attitudes which drove it still exist, particularly amongst the most poorly educated who rely on a right wing often racist tabloid press for their main news.

Despite winning a war against fascism Britain has seen the rise of Neo Nazi groups like the BNP with their overtly racist and anti-immigration agenda. The comments of certain individuals within the BB house were racist but they reflect the culture from which they sprang.

Racist opinions are ugly but they are even more ugly when they are voiced by political parties and both Labour and the Tories have been guilty of playing the race card when it suits their purposes.

Liberation type nationalism which led to the break up of the British Empire and the freedom of most countries from it is quite different in character, it is about equality of the country in question with others.

This is what Scottish nationalism represents and if we do become independent we will have the chance to put the imperial attitudes which were previously associated with the British Empire in the dustbin of history where they belong.

We can also force the rest of the remaining British state to re-evaluate their role more properly in the post imperial landscape. Britain's current foreign policy is absurd as it is reliant entirely on being the cats paw of the US. The sooner rump Britain is faced with the removal of (unusable and ridiculously expensive) nuclear weapons and an appropriate reduction in ambition the better.

www.scottishindependence.com

TIME TO END THIS FALSE 'UNION'

While other countries celebrate their independence day with passion and pride the muted and unenthusiastic reaction (there wasn't any!) to the anniversary of the British union reflects the historical fact that this was a forced union against the will of the ordinary people of Scotland.

If British unionists really genuinely believe that the people of Scotland don’t want independence then they should be willing to put the issue to a democratic vote. In fact most opinion polls consistently show a majority of those surveyed in favour. This Scottish Executive is not asking the question because they know they won’t like the answer.

The Scottish independence movement’s victory is ultimately guaranteed because while supporters of independence have genuine enthusiasm for their cause the unionist case is based on scaremongering, absurd misrepresentation and lies.

Jack Straw recently admitted this union was ‘designed to amplify English power abroad’ and it has never done anything else in its history. The ‘union’ wasn’t really a union at all, it was in fact a hostile takeover. Those who are still supporting it have a vested interest in the status quo and no interest in returning normal national powers to the people of Scotland.

The ordinary people of England now believe the union should end as well so just who do Labour and the Tories think they are actually representing?

THE TRUTH ABOUT THE BRITISH UNION

The people of Scotland will not find out the truth about the British Union
from the two biased documentaries produced by the BBC. Both presented by
unionists, both present their own 'spin' on the events.

Everyone and their dog knows what the British union really was anyway, a
shotgun marriage of convenience which suited England because it
(theoretically) closed the door to a possible Scottish based invasion and it
suited the 'Noble' families of Scotland who (I) regained the money they lost
on the Darien expedition and (II) ended English economic sanctions which
would have lost them their lands in England and also opened the way to make
money in the newly emerging English (soon to be renamed British) Empire.

Just in case the Scots rejected English plans a large army was based on the
border and since Cromwell's New Model Army (he ruled Scotland directly while
in power) there was no hope of Scottish victory in a direct confrontation.

The peoples views were very different from their ignoble 'leaders' - they
saw this for what it was the end to the glorious days of Scottish
independence and effectively the virtual end of Scotland as a distinct
entity.

Post union the English renamed Scotland as North Britain on official
documents (England remained England of course) leading Robert Burns to write
some years later:

"Alas, I have often said to myself what are the boasted advantages which my
country reaps from a certain Union that counterbalance the annihilation of
her Independence, and even her name!"

So could union have been avoided? The people of Scotland hoped so with over
seventy petitions containing 20,000 names calling for the nobles to respect
the will of the people and remember the Declaration of Arbroath.

Unfortunately the truth is probably not, a huge part of the sovereignty of
Scotland had been given away one hundred years before with the Union of
Crowns in 1603. James VI had no interest in his native land whatsoever and
like every other traveller to London Government since preferred to sit in
London and sook up the gravy train than come home to his country.

James VI was a traitor. We know this from his own words, he said Scotland
would: "with time become but as Cumberland and Northumberland, and those
other remote and Northern Shires... they as other Northerne Countreys will
be seldome seen and saluted by their King, and that as it were but in a
posting or hunting journey"

This is the man who would later divide and rule Northern Ireland by sending
in loyalist Scots settlers to rule it on behalf of England. The monarchs
after him were no better.

James VII was removed because he didn't suit English plans and every one
since has considered his bread well buttered by England and completely
ignored Scotland accordingly.

Our current monarch followed this tradition with her choice of Elizabeth II
of England rather than Elizabeth I of The United Kingdom.

The reformation didn't help matters either putting a wedge between Scotland
and our Catholic allies in Europe. Some writers believe John Knox was
specifically sent into Scotland by Elizabeth I to divide and rule us and
this success is why she is so venerated today by Britain. Certainly, the
Catholic Church was a lot more patriotic about Scotland and risked
ex-communication as a nation to back their King and Country during the long
wars of independence. The Church of Scotland had the power to foment
rebellion against union but as long as their rights to maintain their
religious freedoms were maintained they were simply not interested.

So effectively in reality we have been controlled by England for 400 years
rather than 300. Darien proved this as King William of Orange backed
England's imperial interests over Scotland's. The Scots were well sick of
him and their desire to get rid of the Union Of Crowns and restore full
sovereignty to Scotland eventually led to them being finagled out of their
parliament.

There were huge riots in all Scotland's major cities against the union so we
definitely know that the ordinary people didn't want it.

Of course this historical stuff is all very interesting but what relevance
does it have today? Well today Scotland has a devolved parliament but it
remains powerless because sovereignty is still at Westminster. In this 300th
year anniversary of the forced union we have a golden opportunity to make
our voice heard very loudly on the international stage. We can have our own
seat at the United Nations, we can have our own Scottish Olmpic Team and we
can put Scotland right back on the international map.

Today, we the people have the power and we are not reliant on easily bribed
nobles to represent us. To do so however we must ignore 300 years of blatant
British propaganda and say "we are as good as every other country and we
deserve the same right to rule our own affairs".

Current polls show a clear majority in Scotland for independence.

If you want it, vote for it this year.

It's time to stop honouring despot Dundas

I read with dismay the Evening News report today that the council are planning to refurbish the statue of former Scottish Home Secretary Henry Dundas, Viscount Melville, in the centre of St Andrews Square.

Can I suggest when they take him down they make the arrangement permanent?

Dundas enjoys two very prominent statues in St Andrews Square which is pretty disturbing when he personally ran one of the most politically repugnant and corrupt administrations in Scotland's history!

It was Dundas's brother Robert who as Lord Advocate arranged to send Edinburgh lawyer Thomas Muir to Botany Bay for the 'crimes' of demanding universal suffrage, reform of the British House of Commons and Scottish independence.

The Dundas brothers and their allies claimed that the British constitution was 'the finest in the world' and there was no need to change it despite the fact that it was blatantly rotten with corruption and wholesale bribery and he and his brother were forced to regularly use troops against their own countrymen to maintain the established order.

Henry and Robert Dundas ran a huge network of spies and in a recent book by Hector MacMillan (Handful of Rogues - Thomas Muir's enemies of the people) it is explained that they even went so far as to execute one of their own informers to ensure a high profile conviction for sedition!

Sadly, since Edinburgh council is today led by Labour politicians who take a similar approach to Scotland's national rights as the Dundas brothers did, I'm sure they will be happy to resurrect this shameful statue to this corrupt British despot, just as they have blocked any plans to commemorate Edinburgh's James Connolly in the city.

Hopefully next year Henry Dundas and the racist imperialist state he represented in Scotland as 'North Britain' will be finally and completely consigned to the dustbin of history. When that happens hopefully all the assorted statues of the exalted ruffians of the British Empire which are scattered all over Edinburgh will be discarded as well.

Labour MSP's dismayed at return of 'awful' Rhona Brankin

Jack McConnell angered and dismayed many of his Labour colleagues yesterday by naming Rhona Brankin as his new Communities Minister. Ms Brankin, 56, who had been deputy minister at environment and rural affairs, was promoted to full cabinet rank despite a reputation for being ineffectual.

In 2001 she was burned in effigy by fishermen protesting at cuts in the Scottish fleet, while last year she was forced to gut a bill meant to reform crofting after warnings that it was more likely to destroy crofting altogether. In the eyes of many MSPs, the First Minister chose Ms Brankin because of geography rather than talent - in order to restore the east-west balance among his ministers.

Until he was forced to resign as Communities Minister last month for backing an SNP motion against renewing Trident, Malcolm Chisholm had been the only Labour minister representing a constituency outside west central Scotland.

The appointment of Ms Brankin, who represents Midlothian, means there are as many female Labour ministers as males for the first time. A senior Labour figure admitted to being "gobsmacked" by Ms Brankin's promotion, describing it as "a reward for incompetence". One Labour MSP added: "There's no-one who rates her." Another summed up the new minister as "awful".

Inside cabinet, it is understood Health Minister Andy Kerr is one of Ms Brankin's sharpest critics, and is thought to have warned Mr McConnell against making her education minister last year. Ms Brankin's promotion appeared to come as a particular blow to Labour's Allan Wilson, who has toiled as a deputy in various portfolios for the past six years, but whose seat is in Ayrshire. Mr Wilson, who seemed to have dressed up in readiness for the TV cameras, looked crestfallen when it emerged the job had gone to someone else.

As if aware of the rumblings on his back benches, Mr McConnell made the unusual decision not to appear beside Ms Brankin as she left Bute House just after noon. Her low-key exit contrasted with the recent appointments of Hugh Henry as Education Minister and Elish Angioloni as Lord Advocate, both of whom were accompanied by a beaming Mr McConnell.

Ms Brankin's replacement in the deputy environment job is Sarah Boyack, 45, a former Transport Minister who was sacked in 2001. Like Ms Brankin, Ms Boyack also represents an east-coast seat - Edinburgh Central - although as a popular convener of Holyrood's environment committee she was a natural choice for her post.

Ms Brankin's portfolio is likely to be undemanding until the election. A major planning bill has already passed through parliament, while financial issues with the Glasgow Housing Association, which occupied much of Mr Chisholm's time, should also be quiet as the GHA is in the process of finding a new chief executive.

In a letter to Ms Brankin, the First Minister said her first task would be the launch of a strategy on Scotland's ageing population. He also expected her to take a lead on the voluntary sector, tackling racism, work with faith communities, social housing and homelessness.
"I know you will give the post your full commitment and energy, and I have every confidence in you being a highly successful minister," he said. Ms Brankin said she was "delighted" with the new post, but admitted there were "some challenging times ahead".

Nicola Sturgeon, the SNP leader at Holyrood, said she wished Ms Brankin well "in what will be a very short period in office". She added the appointment had only come about because the First Minister could not bear any Trident critics in his cabinet.

(from the Herald)

[This is pretty funny, but what a shame for the people of Midlothian (where my home town of Mayfield, Dalkeith is) who are stuck with the awful New Labourite Brankin. Let's hope she gets kicked out next time. JOE]

Alex Salmond interview

Alex Salmond: You ask the questions

The leader of the Scottish National Party answers your questions, such as 'How can you justify independence?' and 'What would your anthem be?'

What was your reaction to the execution of Saddam Hussein and what should Britain do now about Iraq? HOUZAN SALEH, London

I do not support the death penalty and thought the execution of Saddam Hussein has made him a martyr rather than a criminal. I believe that the Government needs a timetabled exit strategy from Iraq.

Given that it was the SNP which reported the cash for honours affair to the police, do you think it was appropriate for the Prime Minister to give a knighthood to the man who will make the decision about prosecuting him or others? B EMMERSON, Yorkshire

The knighthood awarded to Ken Macdonald shows the complete lack of contrition from the Labour Government - especially when combined with the knighthood also awarded to John Scarlett who was the author of the dodgy Iraq dossier - the two biggest shadows over Blair's reign.

If Scotland wins full independence, will you repatriate all those Scottish MPs currently meddling in English domestic politics, and end the constant anti-English diatribe? DAVE JONES, by e-mail

There will be no Scottish MPs at Westminster after independence. The SNP, as you may know, does not vote on English matters at Westminster and it is right that Scottish MPs should not tip the balance on domestic English issues. Independence for Scotland and England would mean a new relationship of equals and would I hope end any diatribes from either side!

How can you justify breaking away from the UK when you know deep cuts to services will have to prevail to keep the economy from falling apart? Would Scotland have its own army or would you rely on the English army? JAMES CRONIN, London

Scotland has a budgetary surplus this year of £600m at a time when the UK has a budgetary deficit approaching £40bn. There would be no cuts in services, but we wouldn't waste our money on new nuclear weapons or the Iraq war! Scotland, like Ireland, Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Estonia, Iceland etc, will have armed forces and I can guarantee that a Scottish government I lead will not send our young men and women into an illegal war.

If you don't win the May election outright, who will you go into coalition with? DAWN MACRORY, Aberdeen

We will enter into coalition talks with all parties except the Conservatives. We have already had discussions with the Greens about co-operation in the next parliament short of a formal coalition.

Would you introduce passport controls for English visitors? GEOFFREY CHAPMAN, Guildford

No, there would not be border guards on the border. We would be in exactly the same position as Ireland and the UK today. We can visit our cousins in Cork without passports.

Will the Queen continue to be Queen of an independent Scotland, as the direct descendant of James VI? Or will you reinstate the Stuarts? LAURA CORDON, Lewisham, London

The Queen will be Elizabeth of Scotland in the same way as she is Queen today in Canada, Australia and a host of other Commonwealth nations.

Nationalism has proved to be the scourge of the 20th century, so why should anyone vote for a national party? ANTHONY FIELD, by e-mail

There is British nationalism or Scottish nationalism. I prefer the civic nationalism of small nations that has been expressed through the independence of a dozen European nations of similar size to Scotland in the past 100 years. They have prospered and I'd choose the tolerance and peace of Norway and Ireland over Trident and the illegal Iraq war any day.

How important is North Sea oil for a strong Scotland, and what would you do when it runs out? CHRIS GITTINS, Bristol

On UK government estimates of probable to potential reserves we are about halfway through the reserves of oil in the North Sea, which means that we are probably less than halfway through the revenues. Scotland will prosper when we create a more competitive economy through policies like lower corporate tax. Oil will remain an important part of Scotland's economy, but it is only one part of an impressive resource and economic hand Scotland can play. As important as oil is we have huge renewable potential, with Scotland having as much as 25 per cent of the EU tidal and wind resource, which with the right approach can deliver a second energy windfall for our nation.

Many people foresee an EU of Scotlands, Catalonias, Bavarias etc, instead of big nations. How imperative is Europe in your long-term ambitions for Scotland? CAMPBELL WATERMAN, by e-mail

I want to see Scotland as a full member of the EU. It makes sense for the nations of this continent to co-operate and in areas such as trade and the economy there is no doubt that the single market and our partnership provides huge benefits. Independent membership of the EU would also allow a Scottish government to stand up for Scottish interests in areas such as the fishing industry which has long been sold short by the UK Government in EU negotiations.

Would Cumbria be better off Scottish? GEOFF SMITH, Crosby nr Maryport

The SNP has no territorial ambitions on England - even for our friends in Cumbria.

Do you accept that independence for Scotland would mean an end to the generous subsidy funded by English taxpayers? ALLAN MUNDS, Isle of Wight

There is of course no subsidy from England to Scotland - quite the opposite. You may not realise, but the basis for this attack on Scotland is a set of figures that excludes revenues from the Scottish sector of the North Sea and includes a charge for English courts, prisons and tourism promotion to name but a few. This year Scotland is in relative surplus to the UK to the tune of almost £3bn and including all our nation's resources we have been in surplus for the last three decades. You may want to consider why it is that the SNP argues for full fiscal independence for Scotland (we raise and spend our money ourselves) while the UK Government wants to keep the current system with its supposed subsidy!

What happens if Shetland decides on self determination from Scotland? Is Scottish independence viable without North Sea oil and gas? BRIAN FLETCHER, by e-mail

Ireland is doing very well without any oil or gas resource. Scotland will flourish when we can create a competitive advantage for our economy - through policies like lower corporation tax. I have every confidence that Shetland will remain part of Scotland, despite attempts to divide and rule!

Scotland has a disproportionately large percentage of its workforce in the public sector. An independent Scotland could not flourish like this. What would you do about it? ALLAN FORRESTER, Westray, Orkney

Scotland is not flourishing. We have the lowest long-term growth in the EU and that is because we do not have the financial flexibility to give Scotland a competitive edge. Ireland, Norway and Iceland - our three neighbours and all in the top six wealthiest in the world - are no more talented or entrepreneurial, they have no advantage in terms of skills, geography or people. They do have the ability to choose their own direction and work to their strengths - an option denied Scotland while London has remote control of the main economic levers.

In the event of Scottish independence, what do you think the consequences will be for the proposed Trident replacement. JOHN BUTLER, Kidderminster

The British Government would have to find a new site for its nuclear arsenal. I'd hope that independence for Scotland might make them think again about a new generation of these devastating and immoral weapons.

In an independent Scotland, would you hold a referendum on leaving Nato? ALEX SKINNER, by e-mail

There would not be a referendum on this issue, it would be decided by the Scottish government who could choose to follow Finland and be partners with Nato (as the SNP proposes) or Norway and be members of Nato.

Why do Scottish and Welsh nationalists not have candidates in England? It is wrong to think the English are against the break-up of the Union. PAUL BRAZIER, Wotton under Edge

We are a Scottish party and having us standing in England would be like the Tories standing in France!

Why can't the Scots produce any decent music? Franz Ferdinand are rubbish, the Bay City Rollers were a joke, and bagpipes are noise pollution. What will do you for a national anthem? MARTIN FORREST, Newcastle upon Tyne

It's a question of taste. Millions would disagree with you about Scotland's musical record, but I can promise that the Bay City Rollers won't be providing the national anthem!

If Scotland breaks away, should not all Scottish peers be removed from the (English) House of Lords, such as Lord Strathclyde? NATALIE JONES, by e-mail

Yes, but that would be a decision for Westminster.

If the SNP wins the Scottish elections in May, which bits of UK-wide legislation will you block? Road pricing? ID cards? ROBERT MACBRIDE, Oban

The devolved Parliament cannot "block" UK legislation in reserved areas. With independence though we would not introduce Big Brother ID cards, preferring to spend the money instead on the real security of more police patrolling our streets.

Who is the greater poet, Burns or Shakespeare? ELEANOR HATTON, Islington

No doubt - Robert Burns. Shakespeare was the better dramatist!

Isn't it true that Scots don't really want independence? They just support you because they are fed up with Labour and the Liberal Democrats and the Conservatives are non existent in Scotland? HUGH MACDONALD, Edinburgh

Recent polls suggest otherwise. A clear majority of Scots now support independence.

Why did you stand down as leader, and why did you come back? DAVID SMITH,

I was leader for 10 years and after the Scottish election of 1999 I felt that was a good time to step down. I came back to campaign to be First Minister of Scotland and because I believe we can make Scotland a more successful country than we are today.

Do you support green taxes? HENRY BIRTLES, Hackney, London

Yes, but only as part of a package and not the blunt taxes favoured by this Chancellor, such as hikes in fuel duty which hurt people in rural areas who do not have the same alternatives to the car. We have to do more than just tax people - for example if we want people to use the plane less often, why not invest in a high-speed train link from north to south. That would see a significant fall in domestic air travel in the UK.

If you were Scotland's First Minister, just how bad would your relations with a Labour government be? SIMON JONES, Whitstable

The UK is a mature democracy and has good relations with governments across Europe and the world. I see no reason why the same would not apply with Scotland.

The Independent, 8 January 2007