Pro-independence SNP leader to launch manifesto on how Scotland could leave UK,

[Xaaji Xunjuf]

Scots to hear how nation could go it alone

Pro-independence SNP leader to launch manifesto on how Scotland could leave UK, ahead of poll on ending 300-year union.

Derek Lambie Last updated: 25 Nov 2013 21:26

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The SNP leader, Alex Salmond, has long promised a debate on independence [GETTY]

 

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Scotland's first minister, Alex Salmond, will unveil his blueprint for independence on Tuesday in a long-awaited document he insists will pave the way for the end of the United Kingdom.

 

Salmond is set to deliver a White Paper in Glasgow outlining his government's vision for an independent Scottish nation.

 

Described by the ruling Scottish National Party (SNP) as a "landmark document", the 670-page publication is expected to set forth the economic, social and democratic case for leaving Great Britain.

 

 

Click here for all our in-depth coverage

The deputy first minister, Nicola Sturgeon, said: "Our message to the people of Scotland is simple: read it, compare it with any alternative future for Scotland and make up your own mind."

 

The paper is also likely to address contentious issues including which currency the country would adopt, as well as how a military would be created and whether Scotland would remain part of the European Union.

 

Voters will go to the polls next September in a referendum that could see the end of a union that has lasted more than three centuries.

 

Salmond and his deputy will front the launch of the paper, which they liken to a "prospectus for an independent Scotland", at the Glasgow Science Centre on Tuesday morning.

 

Its publication is being viewed by political commentators as a defining moment in what has been a bitter campaign between the pro-independence "Yes" campaign, and its "Better Together" rival.

 

The economy has taken centre stage in the debate, with critics claiming Scotland would be left with a multi-billion-dollar black hole in its public finances as a result of leaving the union.

 

Last month, the London-based Institute of Fiscal Studies said an independent Scotland would start life £90 billion ($145 billion) in the red as it would inherit its historic share of UK national debt.

 

There is also uncertainty over currency. The Scottish parliament insists it would continue with Sterling, but the British government has warned it would veto any attempt.

 

The White Paper is expected to state Scotland would take advantage of its tourism, manufacturing and vast natural resources - including wind and wave power as well as North Sea oil - twinned with business tax incentives to boost economic growth.

 

Opinion polls have so far suggested Salmond will lose the referendum, with support for remaining in the UK standing at about 47 percent.

 

But Henry McLeish, who served as first minister between 2000 and 2001, said the publication of the White Paper could ignite the debate and boost the Yes campaign.

 

He told Al Jazeera: "The biggest problem so far is that people have great fears about the unknown of independence, whether that's pensions, social security, or the currency situation.

 

"Now there will be some answers contained in the White Paper."

 

Established in 1999, the devolved Scottish parliament has been used to enact policies including a public smoking ban, free personal care for the elderly, free medical prescriptions and a freeze in council tax.

 

Independence would also give Holyrood, the seat of parliament, control over all other matters reserved to Westminster, such as defence, foreign policy, immigration and taxation.

 

If Scotland does split from the union, pro-independence political leaders have already nominated March 24, 2016, as independence day.

[Homunculus]

So Xaaji, do you support the independence of Scotland? Do you think that Somaliland should support it too?

[Xaaji Xunjuf]

No i dont support Scottish Independence I believe Scotland benefits and has allot of privileges with in the United Kingdom, the Scots would lose out allot of agricultural subsidies ,and than there is the currency issues, and the Union has served them well the past 3 centuries. As for Somaliland i believe Somaliland should remain neutral on this and should not support it nor be against it.

[Gar_maqaate]

^^^^

lol

[Haatu]

Xaaji Xunjuf;987736 wrote:

No i dont support Scottish Independence I believe Scotland benefits and has allot of privileges with in the United Kingdom, the Scots would lose out allot of agricultural subsidies ,and than there is the currency issues, and the Union has served them well the past 3 centuries. As for Somaliland i believe Somaliland should remain neutral on this and should not support it nor be against it.

Xaaji maba xishootid. Reer Somaliland haddaan gooni-isu-taag u jeceshahay, reer Scotlandna maxaad ugu diidi? Hal dhinac isugu bayr.

[Xaaji Xunjuf]

Uma diidani i just believe theyre better off within the kingdom any way they will vote next year i still believe the vast majority of the scots will favor union over independence.

[Gar_maqaate]

Xaaji Xunjuf;987783 wrote:

theyre better off within the kingdom .

lol

Not according to Scottish National Party. According to them every, man, woman and child in Scotland would be 600 pounds better every year in an independent Scotland. Plus they would get better state pensions, childcare and free university education. And unlike 'Somaliland' and Somalia, Scotland and England actually have distinct culturally, historically and national differences.

[Xaaji Xunjuf]

I believe the scots nationalistic party views things onse sidely and only short term gains and not the long term gains there are many problems the scots will face if independence is achieved. Scots have actually more privelages witin the kingdom than england.

[Saalax]

Somaliland and Somalia also have distinct culture and cuisines. Niiko, dhisow, walaqo,

cambuulo, muufo etc is unknown in Somaliland.

[Tallaabo]

I am totally against the breakup of the union. The United Kingdom benefited all the people living in the British Isles through out its 300 years of existence. In union, the people of Great Britain and Ireland literally took over the world politically, economically, militarily, culturally, and technologically. Thanks to the strength of the union and the empire it produced, English is now the defacto official language of the world, and the British legal and parliamentary system serves as a template for most counties in the world.

[Haatu]

Saalax;987902 wrote:

Somaliland and Somalia also have distinct culture and cuisines. Niiko, dhisow, walaqo,

cambuulo, muufo etc is unknown in Somaliland.

Firstly, most of the Somalis in the South like the ones in the North and West are nomads and have cultures that are almost identical barring a few regional differences.

 

Secondly, part of these regional differences are the dances. For example, in the West they dance Dhaanto, in Waamo they dance diisow/saar, in the north Heelo and like that in all the other nomadic areas.

 

Thirdly, niiko is from the bantu culture from the Somali bantus, not the Somalis. Muufo is an Arab food that has been introduced to the Somalis just like baasto, bariis etc. Cambuulo is a galley dish that I have seen eaten by every Somali I know. Some also have it with their rice for supper. It along with popcorn used to be eaten by the old generations when they were doing their "xus" and is part and parcel of the nomadic culture.

[Saalax]

Haatu Wrong. Majority of southerners are farmers not nomadics. May May and Bantu groups

heavily concentrated in the riverine areas, Bay and Bakool, Lower Shabelle, Middle Shabelle,

Middle Jubba, Lower Jubba and parts of Hiiraan make up at least 25% of Somalia. Large parts of

HAG such as the Unuka also practise agriculture, so it is false to say majority of southerners practise

nomadism. If majority of Bay and Bakool groups who hold 61 mps , majority of 0.5 groups such

as Bantus and majority of HAG groups who hold 61 mps in the Somalia parliament are farmers

in their lands . That shows majority of southerners are indeed farmers not nomads. Only the DAG

are mostly nomads in south Somalia.

[Haatu]

Saalax;987947 wrote:

Haatu Wrong. Majority of southerners are farmers not nomadics. May May and Bantu groups

heavily concentrated in the riverine areas, Bay and Bakool, Lower Shabelle, Middle Shabelle,

Middle Jubba, Lower Jubba and parts of Hiiraan make up at least 25% of Somalia. Large parts of

HAG such as the Unuka also practise agriculture, so it is false to say majority of southerners practise

nomadism. If majority of Bay and Bakool groups who hold 61 mps , majority of 0.5 groups such

as Bantus and majority of HAG groups who hold 61 mps in the Somalia parliament are farmers

in their lands . That shows majority of southerners are indeed farmers not nomads.

The South is from P/land all the way to the Somali border. Majority of the people who live there today are nomads.

[Saalax]

Even if you include Puntland. HAG and the May May groups + Bantus make up the majority

in former Italian Somalia. Somalilanders don't have much in common with those groups whether

it is culture or language. Do you think I can understand may may or even several other southern

accents. When one goes beyond Mudug and Galgadud you enter farmer territory.

[thefuturenow]

Gar_maqaate;987739 wrote:

^^^^

lol

Indeed.