Independence 1st - The Campaign For a Referendum on Scottish Independence

INDEPENDENCE FIRST TO HOST MAJOR DEBATE ON INDEPENDENCE
'Independence or the Union?' - a Discussion Forum Independence First has invited leading Scottish Academics Dr Fiona Watson and Professor Mike Danson along with MSP's from Labour, SNP and Green Party (all of whom will be sending representatives) to debate Independence vs the Union. The debate will take place on Saturday the 13th of September at the STUC premises, 333 Woodlands Road , Glasgow , 1pm – 4pm (registration 12.30pm onwards). The event will provide an informal platform for individuals to debate the arguments both for and against Scottish Independence, covering the economic and environmental, political and international as well as cultural issues. Contact Carol Walker (formerly Roscoe) for more details. Email Carol here Welcome to Independence First the campaign for a referendum on Scottish independence. Support for a referendum on independence is vast, ranging from between 60 and 80% of the Scottish public in recent opinion polls. When the straight question is asked, and 'don't knows' are excluded most polls have showed that the majority of Scots support Scottish independence, in other words the normal powers that almost every other country enjoys. Polls also regularly show a large amount of Scots want significantly more powers for our devolved parliament which can only be guaranteed with independence. A very recent poll showed 41% favoured breaking up the union compared to 40% in favour of it's continuation. The rest are undecided. Given these results it is quite absurd for the unionists to claim that there is no significant support for independence. Their decision to exclude the option of normal powers (ie independence) from their new commission shows that it has no relevance to the people of Scotland. If the unionists cannot come up with any concrete proposals for a significant increase in powers for the parliament the SNP Government will be fully justified in holding a straight independence versus status quo option. This is the preferred strategy of the Scottish Government and one Independence First fully endorses. Independence is normality. Any party which cannot think beyond London control of our Government is not worthy of elected office.
Let Scotland Decide Recently the Scottish Independence Convention launched a new petition for a referendum on independence under the banner 'Let Scotland Decide'. Copies of the petition can be downloaded from the SIC website and the petition can be signed online also at the same site. Independence First are supporting this initiative and we will do our best to play our part in making sure this petition is a success. Below is a video from our petition working conference on 1st March 2008: Dougie Maclean, Dick Gaughan, Ted Christopher, Mouse Eat Mouse and Project Bona Fide performed at our 31/03 event. Our Past Actions Independence First have carried out a number of actions to promote a referendum. We have written to the Scottish and British Governments (and have received replies). We also launched an e-petition through the Scottish parliament's website. Despite over 1300 signatures the petition was rejected by the last Scottish executive. We have also held two highly successful demonstrations for an independence referendum on the 30th of September 2006 and 31st of March 2007. (See our News and Comments sections for more information about these actions). On 1st March 2008 we held a working conference to help organise the ' Let Scotland Decide' petition on the ground (see video above for more info.). We are currently planning a further march in Glasgow and some music events in support of this petition. A National Conversation Independence First welcomes the new SNP led Scottish Government's National Conversation on independence. We would encourage everyone who is interested in Scotland's future to get involved in this national conversation through the above website. We believe the people of Scotland want a democratic referendum on independence and we also believe that given the chance they would vote for normal powers for Scotland. Independence First will be taking an active part in the national conversation and will publish our own contribution towards it after proper internal discussion. News:
"Caledonia" Singer Backs Independence First Campaign The impetus behind Independence First's second Referendum Rally has jumped a stage higher with the news that singer-songwriter Dougie Maclean is backing the campaign and will perform his hit single Caledonia' at at the event outside the Scottish Parliament..	Unionist MSPs Reject Independence Referendum Debate Calls Independence First has reacted angrily to the decision by the Scottish Parliament’s public petitions committee to mothball their e-petition for a referendum.
Scotsman Reports Majority for Independence Scotland would become an independent country if a referendum was held tomorrow, according to a new opinion poll which will reignite the political debate over Scotland's future.	Independence First Launches E-Petition Independence First has launched a petition for a referendum on independence through the Scottish Parliament's E-petitioning system
Government Answers: 'Not Acceptable' Independence First recently wrote to both the UK Government and the Scottish Parliament demanding a democratic referendum for the people of Scotland on independence

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