Scottish independence bid launched

25 May 12
The campaign to lead Scotland out of the United Kingdom was formally launched in Edinburgh today under the slogan ‘Scotland’s future in Scotland’s hands’.
By Keith Aitken in Edinburgh | 25 May 2012

The campaign to lead Scotland out of the United Kingdom was formally launched in Edinburgh today under the slogan ‘Scotland’s future in Scotland’s hands’.

Alex Salmond at the launch of the 'Yes' campaign

In a ceremony designed to convey a breadth of support that extends well beyond the Scottish National Party, a declaration for independence was signed by a deliberately diverse array of participants from many walks of Scottish life. Organisers hope to garner a million signatures by the time of the referendum.

Performers, businesspeople and academics joined First Minister Alex Salmond to inaugurate the campaign for a ‘Yes’ vote in the independence referendum, which is expected to take place in autumn 2014.  Some estimates put the campaign war chest at £2m.

Also taking part were the co-convener of the Scottish Green Party, Patrick Harvie MSP, and the leader of the Scottish Socialists, Colin Fox, as well as independent MSP Margo MacDonald and former Labour/independent MP and MSP Dennis Canavan.

The launch took place in Edinburgh’s Fountainbridge district, birthplace of Sir Sean Connery, one of many celebrities who sent messages of support. Those present included actors Alan Cumming and Brian Cox; poet Liz Lochhead; songwriter Dougie MacLean; and former head of news at both STV and BBC Scotland, Blair Jenkins.

‘We unite behind a declaration of self-evident truth that the people who live in Scotland are the best people make the decisions that affect Scotland,’ Salmond told the gathering. ‘Our future and our success should be in our own hands.’

Cumming said Scotland had ‘blossomed’ since devolution: ‘The world is waiting for us and I know Scotland is ready,’ he said.

Canavan admitted to being a convert to independence: ‘Having spent 25 years as a member of the Westminster parliament and eight years as a member of the Scottish Parliament, I have come to the conclusion that the Westminster parliament is completely out of touch with the people of Scotland,’ he said.

But Harvie also warned the SNP that Greens expected the campaign to be genuinely cross-party and to look beyond the referendum to providing ‘a compelling and transformational vision of an independent Scotland’.

Others were quick to challenge the new alliance. Former Labour Chancellor Alistair Darling, the senior figure in the ‘No’ campaign – which will formally launch later this year - released a specially commissioned YouGov poll showing support for independence at 33%, with 57% opposed and just 10% undecided.

Future of Scotland, the grouping that argues for greater civic discussion of constitutional options, said politicians were jumping the gun. Spokeswoman Alison Elliot said: ‘We should be having a year of debate, not a year of campaigning.’

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