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Scottish independence: Holyrood debate marks one year to referendum Scottish independence: Holyrood debate marks one year to referendum
(34 minutes later)
First Minister Alex Salmond has urged Scottish voters to grab the opportunity of independence with "both hands".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.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?"
The SNP's opponents said Scotland was stronger as part of the UK.The SNP's opponents said Scotland was stronger as part of the UK.
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".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".
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.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.
"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.""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."
Mr Salmond said, under independence, Scotland would gain control of welfare, borrowing, economic regulation and taxes, and energy policy.Mr Salmond said, under independence, Scotland would gain control of welfare, borrowing, economic regulation and taxes, and energy policy.
At the same time, he said, the country would gain its own voice in the United Nations, Nato and the European Union.At the same time, he said, the country would gain its own voice in the United Nations, Nato and the European Union.
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.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.
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.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.
"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.""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."
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."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."
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".
But Scottish Labour leader Johann Lamont said that kind information should be made public sooner.
She said: "It's because I'm a proud Scot, not despite it, that I support Scotland remaining strong in the United Kingdom.
"My head tells me it's right, but my heart cries out for co-operation and not division."
Ms Lamont said of the SNP's vision: "The truth is this - regardless of the economic circumstances, on high days and holidays, in good times and bad, the SNP hold on to their belief in independence.
"It's not a response to the banking crisis, not a response to foreign wars, not a response to a Tory government - it is the politics of nationalism looking for a justification for a belief held when all else changes, regardless of what the evidence says."
She told Holyrood: "The SNP say they speak for Scottish values, but the values of community, of co-operation, of being a good neighbour, of solidarity, are embodied in the United Kingdom, not repudiated by it."