Scotland’s independence referendum 25/1/12
Sirs,
A recent update on fuel poverty estimates for September 2011 reveals that the Outer Hebrides now has 56.8% of households in fuel poverty. This is in comparison to a Scottish average of 35%. The Outer Hebrides remains the local authority with the highest levels of fuel poverty."
Of more serious concern, the Outer Hebrides has the highest level of pensioners in fuel poverty at 83%, Scottish average 50%.
Why do we need a referendum and an independent Scotland? The above statistic puts all the arguments in sharp focus. Scotland's oil has contributed £250bn to Westminster to fight illegal wars and to commit £100bn to fund Trident over the next 25 years (at the same time as decimating our conventional forces). Trident, based at Faslane, is a blot on the Scottish landscape. The Scottish Parliament has no say over Trident being based in Scotland, as defence is a matter wholly reserved to the Westminster parliament.
Yet, we still have fuel poverty and child poverty in alarming numbers, and rising.
Surely we now have to re-
We have Free Personal Care in Scotland; Free Prescriptions; Students able to study at university in Scotland without graduating with a deficit of up to £36,000 hanging around their necks. Also, we all benefit from a continuing freeze on Council Tax. Bridge tolls abolished.
And, lest we forget, Road Equivalent Tariff (RET) on mainland ferries, with this
discount to be extended to inter-
What more actual evidence do we need to convince ourselves that we are uniquely different
from Tories and Liberals at Westminster? And now we have the most bizarre spectacle
of Labour jumping into bed with Cameron and Clegg re the Referendum questions on
the ballot paper -
Canon Kenyon Wright has helped to promote this debate by making a clear statement about the right of Alex Salmond and the SNP administration at Holyrood to decide on such important matters, and in particular the framing of the questions to be asked in the Referendum in the Autumn of 2014 (and more will be revealed in the awaited Consultation Paper, due later this month on 25th Jan). Canon Wright is in favour of a question on “devo max”, or as he prefers to call this option, “secure autonomy.”
Civic Scotland, the CBI, the Churches and Trades Unions will have an important contribution to make. This process does not need to be undertaken with indecent haste. The “process” is as important as the outcome we strive to achieve for everyone in Scotland who will be entitled to vote. I agree that this franchise should be extended to 16 and 17 year olds.
Is Scotland different from the rest of the UK? You bet we are! Now we will have the right to actually vote to confirm our rights, and to confidently determine our own destiny. Then, and only then, will our citizens be able to have the necessary resources to keep warm in their homes! A basic human right.
Andrew Walker
3 Kyles Flodda
Isle of Benbecula
Letters require the writer’s full name and full address for publication. Please send
your letter in the body of an e-