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Scottish independence: Voters to have say on 'Yes' constitution plan Scottish independence: Voters to have say on 'Yes' constitution plan
(about 1 hour later)
People in Scotland have been asked to have their say on how the nation would be run if independent, Scotland's deputy first minister has said. The first draft constitution of an independent Scotland has been set out by the Scottish government, ahead of the 18 September referendum.
Nicola Sturgeon's comments came as she unveiled a roadmap for a Scottish constitution, in the event of a "Yes" vote in the 18 September referendum. It includes plans to remove Trident nuclear weapons from Scotland and keep the Queen as head of state.
It would include, she said, removal of Trident nuclear weapons from Scotland. In the event of a "Yes" vote, there would be a "temporary" constitution, to be later replaced by a permanent one.
Labour told Ms Sturgeon to stop making the same "recycled" speech and outline the start-up costs of independence. The pro-Union Better Together campaign said Scots ministers had still not outlined independence start-up costs.
Ms Sturgeon said draft legislation setting out the foundations of an independent Scotland was now open for comments from the public. Scotland's deputy first minister, Nicola Sturgeon, unveiled the temporary constitution in the form draft legislation, which - if passed by parliament- would take effect from 24 March 2016.
She said the Scottish Independence Bill would provide: This is the day ministers say Scotland would become independent after a "Yes" vote.
The interim constitution has proposed an obligation to remove Trident nuclear weapons from Scotland, strengthen human rights protection and safeguard children. A "constitutional convention" would then be established to prepare a permanent constitution for an independent Scotland.
The interim constitution states:
The temporary constitution also sets out measures which aim to strengthen human rights protection and safeguard children.
Background and analysisBackground and analysis
Ms Sturgeon said the UK was the only EU or Commonwealth country without a written constitution or a Constitution Act.Ms Sturgeon said the UK was the only EU or Commonwealth country without a written constitution or a Constitution Act.
In a speech at Edinburgh University, she said: "A written constitution can be the foundation on which we can build that better Scotland.In a speech at Edinburgh University, she said: "A written constitution can be the foundation on which we can build that better Scotland.
"A written constitution is an important part of a nation's identity - it defines who we are and sets out the values that we hold dear."A written constitution is an important part of a nation's identity - it defines who we are and sets out the values that we hold dear.
"It would be our 'Scottish declaration of independence', founded on the principle that in Scotland, the people are sovereign, not the government or the parliament.""It would be our 'Scottish declaration of independence', founded on the principle that in Scotland, the people are sovereign, not the government or the parliament."
Elsewhere on the referendum campaign trail . . .Elsewhere on the referendum campaign trail . . .
The deputy first minister said the process of creating the constitution would in many ways be as important as its contents.The deputy first minister said the process of creating the constitution would in many ways be as important as its contents.
She explained: "This principle - of the sovereignty of the people - is also key to the argument for independence.She explained: "This principle - of the sovereignty of the people - is also key to the argument for independence.
"The people who have the biggest stake in a successful Scotland are those who live and work here.""The people who have the biggest stake in a successful Scotland are those who live and work here."
Labour MSP Jackie Baillie, speaking for the pro-Union Better Together campaign, said: "Nicola Sturgeon has recycled the same speech several times now.Labour MSP Jackie Baillie, speaking for the pro-Union Better Together campaign, said: "Nicola Sturgeon has recycled the same speech several times now.
"The people of Scotland would be more interested if the nationalists had set out what the start-up costs of independence would be, what would replace the pound, how our pensions would be paid or what would happen to the money available for our schools and hospitals if we leave the UK."The people of Scotland would be more interested if the nationalists had set out what the start-up costs of independence would be, what would replace the pound, how our pensions would be paid or what would happen to the money available for our schools and hospitals if we leave the UK.
"Keeping these details from Scots simply isn't credible."Keeping these details from Scots simply isn't credible.
"As part of the UK we can have the best of both worlds for Scotland.""As part of the UK we can have the best of both worlds for Scotland."