Advertisement

Scotland after independence outlined in white paper

GLASGOW, Scotland, Nov. 26 (UPI) -- The Scottish National Party urged citizens to weigh the country's bid for independence as they review the party's white paper on an independent Scotland.

The party issued the 670-page document ahead of next September's vote to gain independence from England Tuesday.

Advertisement

The white paper, "Scotland's Future: Your Guide to an independent Scotland," outlines how Scotland will move from a "Yes" vote Sept. 19 toward independence on March 24, 2016, ahead of the first elections in an independent Scotland, the pro-independence SNP said in a release.

At the heart of the document is a "transformational increase" in childcare provision that would help more people enter the workforce, particularly women, and provide up to 35,000 jobs, the SNP said.

"This landmark document takes the independence debate into a new phase," SNP official and Scottish Parliament member Bruce Crawford said. "No country in history is as well-equipped as Scotland is to move towards independence, and even the staunchest opponents of Yes now accept that Scotland has got what it takes to be an independent country."

"The people of Scotland now have a clear choice in next year's referendum between two futures -- a choice between the fairer, more prosperous Scotland offered by a Yes vote, and the relentless negativity of the No campaign, who are unable to offer anything positive," Crawford said.

Advertisement

When introducing the document in Glasgow, Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond called it "the most comprehensive blueprint for an independent country ever published, not just for Scotland, but for any prospective independent nation."

Among the economic provisions is a guaranteed minimum wage tied to the cost of living, along with basic rate tax allowances and tax credits that will rise at least in line with inflation, The Scotsman said.

Among the pledges made in the report were:

-- Thirty hours of childcare per week for all 3- and 4-year-olds, as well as vulnerable 2-year-olds.

-- The removal of Trident nuclear weapons now based on the Clyde River within the first parliament.

-- Housing benefit reforms.

Former Chancellor Alistair Darling, leader of the opposing pro-union campaign, said the white paper didn't resolve any of the major issues, The Scotsman said.

"The nationalists have ducked the opportunity to answer the big questions about Scotland's future," Darling said. "We have waited months for this and it has failed to give credible answers on fundamentally important questions."

For the British government, Scottish Secretary Alistair Carmichael told the BBC pro-independent forces needed to come up with another currency plan because it was "highly unlikely" the plan to keep the British pound and retain services of the Bank of England as part of a "currency union" with the rest of Britain would work.

Advertisement

Latest Headlines