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Independent Scotland would struggle on world stage, says Alistair Darling Independent Scotland would struggle on world stage, says Alistair Darling
(17 days later)
Scotland would struggle to have the same diplomatic clout in dealing with international crises such as Syria if it chooses to leave the UK next year, according to the former chancellor Alistair Darling.Scotland would struggle to have the same diplomatic clout in dealing with international crises such as Syria if it chooses to leave the UK next year, according to the former chancellor Alistair Darling.
The Labour MP, who leads the Better Together campaign to keep Scotland in the union, drew the issue into a referendum debate in front of supporters in Glasgow.The Labour MP, who leads the Better Together campaign to keep Scotland in the union, drew the issue into a referendum debate in front of supporters in Glasgow.
"Unfortunately and tragically, the atrocities that are being visited upon the people of Syria are going to continue," he said, responding to a question about the controversial Commons vote against potential military action."Unfortunately and tragically, the atrocities that are being visited upon the people of Syria are going to continue," he said, responding to a question about the controversial Commons vote against potential military action.
"Ultimately, the long-term solution is going to have to be diplomatic and the UK has got far more clout in the United Nations, and in the G20 which is meeting in Russia next week, than a smaller country ever would."Ultimately, the long-term solution is going to have to be diplomatic and the UK has got far more clout in the United Nations, and in the G20 which is meeting in Russia next week, than a smaller country ever would.
"I've been to lots of these meetings throughout the time I was a minister and large countries, particularly one with a reputation like ours, have clout."I've been to lots of these meetings throughout the time I was a minister and large countries, particularly one with a reputation like ours, have clout.
"I don't think there's anyone in this room who wouldn't want to see the clout of the UK, if possible along with other countries, trying to bring an end to the bloodshed taking place in Syria.""I don't think there's anyone in this room who wouldn't want to see the clout of the UK, if possible along with other countries, trying to bring an end to the bloodshed taking place in Syria."
His comments were made at the launch of Better Together's Glasgow branch, which brings pro-union parties together under one banner.His comments were made at the launch of Better Together's Glasgow branch, which brings pro-union parties together under one banner.
Darling, who chairs the campaign, was joined by the Scottish leaders of the Labour, Liberal Democrat and Conservative parties.Darling, who chairs the campaign, was joined by the Scottish leaders of the Labour, Liberal Democrat and Conservative parties.
As well as the international dimension, he wrote off the Scottish government's formal prospectus before it has even been published. The white paper setting out independence would be a work of fiction, he said.As well as the international dimension, he wrote off the Scottish government's formal prospectus before it has even been published. The white paper setting out independence would be a work of fiction, he said.
"I'm looking forward to this white paper coming out in a couple of weeks time because apparently it's going to have the answer to everything," he said. "Whether it's welfare, the pound, the meaning of life, the whole thing."I'm looking forward to this white paper coming out in a couple of weeks time because apparently it's going to have the answer to everything," he said. "Whether it's welfare, the pound, the meaning of life, the whole thing.
"Scotland, among other things, has very many talented people and I think this is going to join the ranks as a remarkable work of fiction when it comes.""Scotland, among other things, has very many talented people and I think this is going to join the ranks as a remarkable work of fiction when it comes."
Drawing on his experience at the Treasury, Darling highlighted proposals for a formal sterling currency union as a key flaw in the pro-independence argument.Drawing on his experience at the Treasury, Darling highlighted proposals for a formal sterling currency union as a key flaw in the pro-independence argument.
A "foreign" Treasury will tell Scotland what to do, he argued. "On that argument alone, it simply blows the case for independence apart."A "foreign" Treasury will tell Scotland what to do, he argued. "On that argument alone, it simply blows the case for independence apart."
The Scottish Labour leader, Johann Lamont, focused much of her speech on a personal attack on Scotland's first minister, Alex Salmond.The Scottish Labour leader, Johann Lamont, focused much of her speech on a personal attack on Scotland's first minister, Alex Salmond.
"I will never doubt the sincerity of their desire to improve Scotland," she said. "But that breadth of view, that acknowledgement of a common humanity, is not possible for Alex Salmond. He believes that only by following him can we be a true Scot. It's a kind of tartan messiah complex.""I will never doubt the sincerity of their desire to improve Scotland," she said. "But that breadth of view, that acknowledgement of a common humanity, is not possible for Alex Salmond. He believes that only by following him can we be a true Scot. It's a kind of tartan messiah complex."
The Scottish Liberal Democrat leader, Willie Rennie, said a "no" vote could bring more powers to Holyrood without independence.The Scottish Liberal Democrat leader, Willie Rennie, said a "no" vote could bring more powers to Holyrood without independence.
"By our efforts in the next year, we can win a prize for the long-term," he said. "One that keeps Scotland in the United Kingdom and then sets us on the short path to a stronger Scottish parliament, which is where the majority of Scottish people want to be. The best of both worlds.""By our efforts in the next year, we can win a prize for the long-term," he said. "One that keeps Scotland in the United Kingdom and then sets us on the short path to a stronger Scottish parliament, which is where the majority of Scottish people want to be. The best of both worlds."
The Scottish Conservative leader, Ruth Davidson, referred to UK institutions such as the NHS.The Scottish Conservative leader, Ruth Davidson, referred to UK institutions such as the NHS.
"You can get treated here, but if there's not a specialist unit in Scotland, you can go to a unit in Newcastle or elsewhere," she said. "There is nothing that gets in the way of that.""You can get treated here, but if there's not a specialist unit in Scotland, you can go to a unit in Newcastle or elsewhere," she said. "There is nothing that gets in the way of that."
The meeting was held in the near-capacity Mitchell theatre in Glasgow, and was attended by politicians, campaigners and members of the public.The meeting was held in the near-capacity Mitchell theatre in Glasgow, and was attended by politicians, campaigners and members of the public.
One man in the audience was thrown out half way through the question and answer session for heckling the panel loudly.One man in the audience was thrown out half way through the question and answer session for heckling the panel loudly.
Given the opportunity to ask a question, he attacked the presence of the Trident nuclear deterrent in Scotland and repeatedly shouted over other speakers.Given the opportunity to ask a question, he attacked the presence of the Trident nuclear deterrent in Scotland and repeatedly shouted over other speakers.
Before the Better Together launch, a spokesman for pro-independence group Yes Scotland said: "One of the key advantages of becoming independent is to foster new, healthy and equal relationships with other countries in these isles. Independence for Scotland is also good for the rest of the UK.Before the Better Together launch, a spokesman for pro-independence group Yes Scotland said: "One of the key advantages of becoming independent is to foster new, healthy and equal relationships with other countries in these isles. Independence for Scotland is also good for the rest of the UK.
"With a 'yes' vote, we will be taking control of our own future and making decisions that match our own priorities and aspirations. And, unlike now under the Westminster system, we will always get the government we vote for.""With a 'yes' vote, we will be taking control of our own future and making decisions that match our own priorities and aspirations. And, unlike now under the Westminster system, we will always get the government we vote for."
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