indépendance – Commission Régions et fédéralisme

Referendum should spark an era of radical Scottish democracy

regions-federalisme — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 21:32:41 +0000

For immediate release 25 January 2012

The Scottish Green Party today welcomed the publication of the independence referendum consultation, and called for the coming months of civic debate to act as testbed for a more inclusive way of doing politics in Scotland.

Greens have welcomed the role of the Electoral Commission, and repeated their call for the UK Government to give ground and withdraw their opposition to allowing 16 and 17 year olds to vote in the referendum.

Patrick Harvie MSP has today asked the First Minister to confirm that any negotiations regarding the transition to an independent Scotland would leave no room for a deal on Trident remaining in Scotland.

Patrick Harvie MSP said:

« I welcome this consultation and the opportunity for a genuine discussion on how, over the coming years, we can engage in an effective and fair way with all Scots on the future of our constitution and our democracy. Greens have a vision of a more radical democracy in Scotland, with far greater levels of discussion and decision making at community level. Our hope is that the debate over independence will spark a new enthusiasm for people taking control over the future of our country and our communities.

« The draft bill published today gives the Scottish Parliament a real chance to prove its ability to work constructively and design a referendum that is fair and decisive. I welcome the move to accept the oversight of the Electoral Commission by the Scottish Government. Now it’s time for Westminster to give ground and allow 16 and 17 year olds to vote. Young adults of this age can be sent to war – how can it possibly be just to deny them a vote on what type of country theirs is in the world?

« The First Minister is right to say that an independent Scotland could rid itself of the presence of nuclear weapons. But we need to go further: no Scottish Government, either before the referendum or after it, should be able to do a deal with the UK to retain Trident on our shores. »

« There are many people who want to vote Yes, who came to support independence on the nuclear issue alone. We must not betray them by leaving the door open to nuclear weapons in Scotland. That door must be locked forever. »

Source: Scottish Greens

The Scottish Green Party on Independence

regions-federalisme — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 18:52:18 +0000

Last week saw dramatic developments in the debate on the future of Scotland and its place within the United Kingdom. The Coalition government of David Cameron decided to demand a date in the near future for a referendum on Scotland’s constitutional position. The current administration of Alex Salmond of the Scottish National Party (a member of the European Free Alliance) had a manifesto commitment to hold a referendum during its term, but they had envisaged a 2014 date, and a non-binding referendum held in Scotland with three options – Independence, maintaining the status quo or ‘Devolution Max’ (giving the Scottish Parliament authority over everything except foreign affairs and defence). The difference of opinion between London and Edinburgh has led to sharp words between Salmond and the Coalition government, and ensured the constitutional issue is at the top of the political agenda in the UK.

The Scottish Green Party have a number of seats in the Scottish Parliament, and are the only other party there that supports Scottish independence, along with the SNP. Party leader Patrick Harvie spoke in the Parliament on Thursday, laying out the failures of the debate to date, and to make sure that any referendum keeps in mind the type of country that Scots would like to see emerge post-referendum.

Patrick Harvie again:

“Though the starting gun has been fired, there will be a very long run-up to the independence referendum which will most likely be in late 2014. Greens will aim to use this time to make the case for independence not as an end in itself, but as the means to achieve a more equal, more sustainable and more democratic society. We’re the only party on the Yes side of this debate with a radical vision for Scotland, and we’ll work hard to share that vision with the voters.”

If Scotland does decide to leave the UK, it will be looking to smaller countries in Europe to consider how they would like to engage with the EU, post-independence. Would they rejoin as an independent member state, consider external cooperation through the European Economic Area (like Norway) or try to make another arrangement. The Scottish Greens hope is that an independent Scotland can reengage with the EU in a constructive, radical and Green way. With Salmon inviting the Coalition leaders to Edinburgh for talks on the referendum format, it remains to be seen how long they will have to wait.

Independence Debate

regions-federalisme — Thu, 15 May 2008 09:37:18 +0000

Communiqué de presse du Scottish Green Party, 15 mai 2008

Greens today criticised the approach taken by the other parties to Scotland’s constitutional future as short term and tactical. The party believes that the Scottish people deserve better from all sides of the debate, and today calls for the Constitutional Convention to be revived. The Scottish Greens, Labour and the Liberal Democrats took part in the original Convention, along with church, business and trade union bodies amongst others, and the Convention’s final report in 1995 formed the basis for devolution .The party’s call for a more inclusive process was today backed by Professor Phil Hanlon, a founding member of the Constitutional Commission.

Green MSP Patrick Harvie said:

« The SNP clearly reckon they’re more likely to win a referendum in 2010 with David Cameron in charge at Westminster. Memories of Tory misrule are longer in Scotland, so they calculate his presence will encourage the undecided left to back independence.

« For their part Labour have shifted from cynical opposition to a referendum to cynical support for one and back again, via the Calman Commission and internal splits on a scale unseen since Major’s Tories. Wendy’s done more u-turns than the Dukes of Hazzard, and all because she thinks she can see some elusive tactical gain.

« The questions to be asked would, as things stand, be decided by two divisive processes. Labour, the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats are talking to themselves through the Calman Commission, although its future must be in doubt after this tumultous week. On the other side, the SNP are only talking to their own supporters through the so-called National Conversation, and taking for granted that we support their position. In both cases it looks like the answer is in the question.

« Neither side has yet made a convincing attempt to start a broader discussion, nor have they made any significant effort to say what the constitution should actually be for. Their processes should be merged, and they should be opened up. We are today calling for a revival of the Scottish Constitutional Convention, and encouraging all parties with an interest in Scotland’s future to come together and to work with both the public and civic Scotland.

« During that debate, Greens will set out our vision for a socially just Scotland, a sustainable Scotland, and a Scotland at peace with its neighbours. We will argue for the independence option to include a commitment to a written constitution with a bill of rights. Our support for independence is grounded in local decision-making and decentralism, not nationalistic fervour or identity politics. We will also argue for a middle option that will include as many as possible of the powers needed to deliver a sustainable vision for Scotland.

« But the Convention should consider the questions which should be asked above all to ensure that people are faced with the clear options they really want, rather than the limited range of ideas to suit political parties’ interests. It should also make sure proper open public debates are held the length and breadth of Scotland, not just an arid array of politicians debating their fixed positions from raised platforms.

« Scotland’s future must not be a hostage to transient political advantages for Labour or the SNP. Whatever is decided will settle the issue for a generation at least, and this is too important an issue to be decided by SNP tactical calculations or by how unpopular Wendy Alexander is. »

Professor Hanlon added:

« The future constitution of Scotland is, obviously, far too important an issue to be left to any sectional interest. Yet, equally important is the benefit to Scottish society that would flow from a truly inclusive and involving process. Empowerment is not just an idea – there are practical benefits for the wellbeing of the people of Scotland if we get this right. »

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Greens call for inclusive debate on Constitution

regions-federalisme — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 09:53:33 +0000

Communiqué de presse du Scottish Green Party, 6 décembre 2007

Green MSP Patrick Harvie criticised both sides of the constitutional question in the Parliamentary debate on a ‘devolution commission’ this morning. He welcomed the opportunity to take forward a debate on Scotland’s future, but regretted that a chance to build the widest possible debate had been missed. The Greens argue that limiting the debate to only one option for constitutional change, whether extending devolution or independence is short-sighted and will not allow for discussion in the round.

Patrick Harvie said « We have heard fine words from both sides about constructive dialogue and mature debate. I regret therefore that the Labour motion, with Tory and Liberal support deliberately avoids being inclusive by attempting to bind the hands of the proposed commission to not allow discussion of independence. The SNP amendment simply restated
their position, and also failed to try to build any broader vision. Whether a conversation or a commission, discussion on the future of Scotland must not be bound by the narrow interests of today’s politicians. »

Mr Harvie added « We need to give the ultimate say on Scotland’s constitutional future to the people of Scotland in a referendum which includes all options. It certainly must not be determined by politicians alone, acting for party interest. Since this motion is proposed by the three main Westminster parties, I think people may question whether this is in fact a Westminster initiative at the behest of the UK party leaders. Any new commission must be free from political control, and a truly Holyrood initiative. »

The Scottish Green MSPs plan to abstain on both the Labour motion and SNP amendment tonight.

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