Scottish independence: Holyrood debate marks one year to referendum
Scottish independence: Holyrood debate marks one year to referendum
(33 minutes later)
Scotland's First Minister Alex Salmond is leading a debate at the Scottish Parliament, a year before voters take part in the independence referendum.
First Minister Alex Salmond has urged Scottish voters to grab the opportunity of independence with "both hands".
Speaking in a parliamentary debate exactly a year before the referendum on Scotland's future, he said people living in the country were best placed to make decisions about it.
On 18 September 2014, they will be asked the yes/no question: "Should Scotland be an independent country?"
On 18 September 2014, they will be asked the yes/no question: "Should Scotland be an independent country?"
Mr Salmond said independence would help Scotland become a thriving, successful nation, free from Westminster ties.
The SNP's opponents said Scotland was stronger as part of the UK.
The main opposition parties insisted Scotland's devolved parliament, as part of the UK, was the best of both worlds.
Opposition parties who support the Union - Labour, the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats, as well as the Westminster government - said Scotland currently benefited from being part of one of the world's most successful economies and that a devolved parliament, as part of the UK, was "the best of both worlds".
Ahead of the debate, the Scottish government's Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon told the BBC's Today programme that Scotland could "more than afford" to be independent.
Speaking in the Scottish Parliament, Mr Salmond said: "We are a country rich in natural resources, with world class universities, an outstanding visitor industry, expertise in engineering and life sciences, an astounding cultural heritage and a skilled and inventive people.
She added: "We are one of the wealthiest countries in the world.
"Independence lets us build on that. We gain the chance to make Scotland fairer, unhindered by a Westminster system which has created one of the largest gaps between rich and poor in the developed world."
"We more than pay our way. If you take each and every one of the past 30 years, we have generated more tax per head than the UK as a whole so there's no question Scotland can be independent, the question is should we be independent and there my argument is simple - it's better to take decisions about Scotland here in Scotland."
Mr Salmond said, under independence, Scotland would gain control of welfare, borrowing, economic regulation and taxes, and energy policy.
The Scottish government's detailed case for independence will come in a white paper to be published in the autumn which has promised to "answer all the questions people reasonably have".
At the same time, he said, the country would gain its own voice in the United Nations, Nato and the European Union.
Opposition parties who support the Union - Labour, the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats, as well as the UK government - said Scotland currently benefited from being part of one of the world's most successful economies.
The first minister also said independence would address a "democratic deficit" brought about by Westminster governments and parliaments which had brought in policies opposed by Scottish politicians.
And they claimed the SNP government was watering down its vision for independence to increase support among voters during a time when polls were indicating most people backed the Union.
He told MSPs: "Independence is about giving ourselves the power to make our country as good as it can be; it's about the right to decide, the ability to make choices.
Opposition politicians pointed to SNP policies such as keeping the pound and the services of the Bank of England under a "currency union" with the rest of the UK, and retaining the Queen as head of state.
"And this government's argument - our most important contention - is that the people who live and work in Scotland are the people who are most likely to make the right choices for Scotland."
For the UK government, Scottish Secretary Michael Moore, said of the referendum: "This is an absolutely defining moment and a once-in-a-lifetime choice. That's why I hope people will think carefully as they prepare for the vote.
He added: "That is why independence is the best route to becoming a more prosperous country but also a more just society. And that is why - exactly a year from today - the people of Scotland will claim that opportunity with both hands."
"I firmly believe that Scotland will be stronger, more secure and more prosperous if we remain as part of the UK.
"Between now and next September I will continue to argue this case as well as providing what I believe will be robust and persuasive evidence."
Scotland's opposition parties have been drawing up their own offers to voters, to counter independence, based on having a more powerful Scottish Parliament while remaining part of the UK.
The Liberal Democrat vision for Scottish home rule would see significant new financial and other powers devolved from Westminster, while a commission set up by Scottish Labour has suggested there was a "strong case" for Holyrood gaining full income tax powers.
And, Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson has given her support to more financial powers for Scotland, signalling a significant shift in thinking for the party which previously opposed the idea of a devolved parliament.
Meanwhile, the official campaigns for independence and the Union - Yes Scotland and Better Together - will also be marking the day.
Yes Scotland chief Blair Jenkins, said: "Scotland has generated more tax per head than the UK as whole in each and every one of the last 30 years.
"The question is, why more people in Scotland are not reaping the benefits of our wealth?
"With a 'Yes' vote next year, we can deliver financial and social gains for people and families across our nation because Scotland's future will be in Scotland's hands."
Former chancellor Alistair Darling, leader of the Better Together campaign, countered: "Now that there is a year to go to the referendum, I hope that the nationalists will be prepared to give people answers to the many question that they have about the impact of going it alone on our jobs, our pensions and our public services.
"Up until now every one of these legitimate questions has either been met with calls of 'scaremongering' or with a blind assertion."
Legislation setting the ground rules for the referendum is currently making its way through parliament.
The arrangements have already been negotiated and agreed in advance between the Scottish and UK governments, under the terms of the Edinburgh Agreement, signed by Mr Salmond and Prime Minister David Cameron.
One of Alex Salmond's former special advisers has raised concern about the SNP's approach to the independence campaign.
Alex Bell, a former head of policy for the Scottish government, wrote in the Guardian newspaper that the party leadership has so far relied on winning hearts without enough focus on the "profound" assessment to win minds.
"The campaigns to date have been a tedious parade of union flags versus saltires, of pop identity about caring Scots versus heartless Tories," he wrote.
"By insisting on something particular to Scotland and contrasting it to the UK, Salmond has denied a crucial truth about the debate: Scotland's problems are common to the developed world, and the questions for him are the same as those for David Cameron and Ed Miliband."
Mr Bell has spent two years considering the Scottish government's detailed case for independence, to be published in a white paper later this year.
Responding to his comments, Deputy Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon told BBC Radio's Good Morning Scotland programme: "With the greatest respect to Alex - (someone) I think very highly of - I'm responsible in government for the white paper, and when the white paper's published in November, I think it will set out - I know it will set out - a very strong case for independence."
