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Scottish independence would mean fairer country, says Alex Salmond Scottish independence would mean fairer country, says Alex Salmond
(35 minutes later)
Alex Salmond has urged Scotland's 4 million voters to seize a "once-in-a-generation" chance to create a fairer, more prosperous country by voting to leave the UK and taking control of their own destiny, promising to cut corporation tax, extend free childcare and increase the minimum wage.Alex Salmond has urged Scotland's 4 million voters to seize a "once-in-a-generation" chance to create a fairer, more prosperous country by voting to leave the UK and taking control of their own destiny, promising to cut corporation tax, extend free childcare and increase the minimum wage.
Publishing a 670-page prospectus for independence in Glasgow, the first minister said Scotland would continue "constructive working together" with the rest of the UK, sharing the pound and the Queen, take 90% of North Sea oil, but without Trident nuclear weapons and the BBC. Publishing a 670-page prospectus for independence (pdf) in Glasgow, the first minister said Scotland would continue "constructive working together" with the rest of the UK, sharing the pound and the Queen, take 90% of North Sea oil, but without Trident nuclear weapons and the BBC.
He argued that independence would free Scotland from having policies such as the bedroom tax imposed by Westminster governments "rejected at the ballot box in Scotland", which inflict pain on the most vulnerable in society, Salmond said.He argued that independence would free Scotland from having policies such as the bedroom tax imposed by Westminster governments "rejected at the ballot box in Scotland", which inflict pain on the most vulnerable in society, Salmond said.
The white paper also says the SNP would ask the UK government to immediately cancel the rollout of universal credit in Scotland if there was a yes vote next September. It also adds that it wants Trident to be removed from the Clyde by 2020 - the end of the first independent Scottish parliament.The white paper also says the SNP would ask the UK government to immediately cancel the rollout of universal credit in Scotland if there was a yes vote next September. It also adds that it wants Trident to be removed from the Clyde by 2020 - the end of the first independent Scottish parliament.
In his foreword to Scotland's Future – Your guide to an independent Scotland, Salmond said: "That is the real democratic value of independence – the people of Scotland are in charge.In his foreword to Scotland's Future – Your guide to an independent Scotland, Salmond said: "That is the real democratic value of independence – the people of Scotland are in charge.
"It will no longer be possible for governments to be elected and pursue policies against the wishes of the Scottish people … Independence will put the people of Scotland in charge of our destiny.""It will no longer be possible for governments to be elected and pursue policies against the wishes of the Scottish people … Independence will put the people of Scotland in charge of our destiny."
The white paper states: "If we vote no, Scotland stands still. A once-in-a-generation opportunity to follow a different path, and choose a new and better direction for our nation, is lost. Decisions about Scotland would remain in the hands of others."The white paper states: "If we vote no, Scotland stands still. A once-in-a-generation opportunity to follow a different path, and choose a new and better direction for our nation, is lost. Decisions about Scotland would remain in the hands of others."
Stating too that the union flag would no longer fly in Scotland, the document confirms a series of Scottish government and Scottish National party pledges for independence, including:Stating too that the union flag would no longer fly in Scotland, the document confirms a series of Scottish government and Scottish National party pledges for independence, including:
• Retain the pound as Scotland's currency and would take on a fair share of the UK's debt.• Retain the pound as Scotland's currency and would take on a fair share of the UK's debt.
• Take a full geographic share of North Sea oil and gas reserves, with more than 90% of the UK reserves in Scottish waters.• Take a full geographic share of North Sea oil and gas reserves, with more than 90% of the UK reserves in Scottish waters.
• No rise in general taxation to fund public spending, while increasing tax allowances in line with inflation.• No rise in general taxation to fund public spending, while increasing tax allowances in line with inflation.
• A new written constitution with the Queen as head of state.• A new written constitution with the Queen as head of state.
• The renationalisation of the Royal Mail.• The renationalisation of the Royal Mail.
•A new Scottish defence force of 15,000 regular personnel and a new intelligence and security agency.•A new Scottish defence force of 15,000 regular personnel and a new intelligence and security agency.
•A guarantee that the minimum wage will rise by inflation: if that had been policy already since 2008, the lowest paid would be £675 better off.•A guarantee that the minimum wage will rise by inflation: if that had been policy already since 2008, the lowest paid would be £675 better off.
•A network of 70 to 90 embassies and consulates costing up to £120m.•A network of 70 to 90 embassies and consulates costing up to £120m.
• Cutting corporation tax by 3% and cutting air passenger duty by 50%.• Cutting corporation tax by 3% and cutting air passenger duty by 50%.
• Extending free childcare to one-year-olds, creating 35,000 new jobs.• Extending free childcare to one-year-olds, creating 35,000 new jobs.
• A new Scottish Broadcasting Service to replace the BBC.• A new Scottish Broadcasting Service to replace the BBC.
• An "early agreement on the speediest safe removal of [Trident] nuclear weapons a priority".• An "early agreement on the speediest safe removal of [Trident] nuclear weapons a priority".
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