PN Member Alyn Smith Argues for Scottish Independence

Photo: Alyn Smith, right, at the 2012 Edinburgh International Book Festival debates on Rethinking the Union. 

PN Member and Scottish National Party Member, Mr. Alyn Smith, explains why independence is so important to Scotland and the benefits Scottish independence would have both for Scotland and the European Union: 

Scottish independence is about self-determination: the ability of people to work together collectively, using the full range of powers available to sovereign states, to develop their economy, society, and life chances of every citizen to their full potential.

This is not an abstract concept for citizens in EU member states. EU countries cherish their independence, their right to represent themselves in international institutions, their ability to take decisions which reflect their needs and values.

Scotland has been on a different political path to England for several decades. With just 8 per cent of the UK's population, the positions taken by the UK government - particularly on EU matters - on behalf of all four constitutive parts of the UK, consistently do not reflect the Scottish position. Westminster's recent swing to the right has seen an even greater divide emerge between Scottish and English political feeling.

Independence allows us to choose our own destiny, not have that destiny determined for us by others. Political decisions impacting upon Scotland would be decided by Scots, with the values and needs of Scotland front and centre, not relegated behind complaints of London-based financial services or south-east England's transport requirements.

Scotland has much to offer our European family: more top universities, per head, than any other country; 25 per cent of Europe’s off-shore wind and tidal potential; 60 per cent of the EU’s oil reserves; a flourishing life science sector; world-class food and drink and much else. I look forward to the day when we can contribute as an equal partner to our European project.

PN Member Alyn Smith currently serves on the European Parliament and is part of the Group of Greens/European Free Alliance. He is a member of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, the Delegation for Relations with the Arab Peninsulam, and the Delegation for relations with Iraq.

Photo courtesy of Edinburgh International Book Festival.