In 1999, after an absence of 292 years, Scotland regained her Parliament. It has very limited powers and responsibilities, with major policy (taxation, economy, transport, defence, foreign policy, broadcasting) still decided by Westminster - but it is a Parliament nonetheless. For nearly 300 years Scotland had been completely trapped in an unequal political Union with England and Wales (the United Kingdom) that eroded Scottish ideals, institutions and her economy. These web pages were originally created in the heat of the political battles of 1996/97, with the aim of raising awareness and the profile of the Scottish Issue - whether it was the negative effects of London Rule, or the silencing of Scottish dissent - these were all hard fought points that had to be made. That debate has moved on, underpinned by the bulwark of a new limited Parliament. We now live in a very different Scotland. Huge social and economic problems remain -but many are now open to democratic scrutiny like never before, and the old structures are creaking, dismantling and moving forward in slow progress. The press still largely controlled, owned and operated by non-Scottish interests remains openly hostile to independence without actually knowing what defines independence in this modern, digital, war-torn world. But few outside the self-obsessed media doubt that Independence is a process, not an event, and a process that has already begun. Free Scotland from the old way of thinking. See Scotland from a different perspective. We can strike out and negotiate with the world ourselves. Whether it is encouraging direct transport links with the world (helping tourism and business competitiveness), replacing overweaning London bureaucracy with local control, or seeking technological solutions such as direct broadband links to North America and Europe, London doesnt have to be the centre of the universe, running our lives - all we need is to use our resources, our energy, our dedication and our vision. Scotland is a rich country, with vast oil, gas, coal, water, timber and human reserves. Yet for years, no matter how Scotland voted, it was the majority in England that decided who ruled in Westminster and controlled these resources. For 18 years of Conservative (Tory) rule (1979-1997), unwanted policies were forced on Scotland, while London ignored Scottish demands for Self-Government. The General Election of May 1997 brought a change of London Government and a total wipeout of Tory MPs in Scotland. The New Labour Government held a referendum on 11th September 1997 in which 74% voted YES to reconvening the Scots Parliament, and 64% voted YES to give it limited tax-varying powers. This new Labour Government (re-elected in 2001) however, is continuing with previous Conservative policies, and in many cases introducing ever more radical right-wing policies than the Tories would have dared -such as privatisation of the health service, education and air traffic control. Many of these policies, designed to win over former Conservative voters, are deeply unpopular in Scotland, and have led to a general rise in support for the pro-Independence parties (the Scottish National Party, the Scottish Socialist Party and the Scottish Green Party). Opinion polls currently suggest that Labour and the SNP are neck and neck in support for the forthcoming Scottish Parliament elections in 2003. Scotland has taken the first steps to regaining her self-confidence providing for the first time ever a democratically elected and accountable system of government. The Scottish Parliament will initially only be responsible for home affairs and will be subject to Westminster, however, it is expected that as it grows in confidence and ability it will seek more and more areas of responsibility. Although not perfect, Scotland now has a focal point for its democratic intellect. A new form of consensus politics is hoped for, however it should be remembered that only Independence can deliver a proportionally elected sovereign Scottish Parliament and guarantee that any future Parliament will not be abolished by Westminster.
Posted on: Sat, 13 Sep 2014 11:39:07 +0000
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