THE
SOVEREIGNTY OF THE SCOTTISH PEOPLE
The
sovereignty of the Scottish people is enshrined in many documents,
acts and treaties dating back hundreds of years. The 1320 Declaration
of Arbroath clearly indicates the sovereignty of the Scots even
above that of the King. The 1689 Claim of Right Act also sets
out the sovereignty of the people over that of the monarchy.
Scottish
sovereignty was further enhanced when the Claim of Right was ratified
by the house of commons on the 4th of July 2018.
Then
we have the recent judgement passed down in the "Cherry"
case by the Supreme court that clearly sets out the fact that
the people are sovereign over parliament and that the Executive
(or Government) is subservient to that of parliament and the law
of the land. Once again recognising the sovereignty of the people.
In
1999 following a second vote on devolution the Scottish Parliament
reconvened as the Scottish Executive, then in 2012 The Scottish
Executive was changed to that of the Scottish Government. The
Scottish Parliament is protected under the Scotland Act. However,
the Scotland Act is riddled with legislation designed to keep
power within the hands of the UK Parliament, in effect taking
away Scotland's ability of self governance which is in contravention
of the Claim of Right for Scotland, agreed by the Scottish Constitutional
Convention in 1989, ratified by the Scottish Parliament in 2012
and which was endorsed by the House of Commons in 2018.
So
why is Scotland still under Westminster rule?
Scotland
is bound to the rest of the UK by virtue of the 1707 Union with
England act, this is one of two enactment's that make up the "Treaty
of the Acts of the Union". This treaty binds the two countries
together in a union with one parliament governing both countries.
This union was founded against the will of the Scottish people
and has been a matter of contention for over 300 years.
The
union of the two kingdoms of Scotland and England brought
about by the 1707 enactment of the English and Scottish
Parliaments, was thrust upon us by a minority of nobles
sitting in the Scottish Parliament who accepted payment
in return for their loyalty to the union.
Daniel
Defoe the author of Robinson Crusoe (a secret agent of the
English government) stated that for every Scot in
favour of the union, there are 99 opposed
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There
was a referendum in 2014 asking the people of Scotland whether
they wished to remain a part of the United Kingdom, during the
referendum there was much interference from the UK Government
who used their control over the media to mislead the people of
Scotland into believing that leaving the UK would cost them their
savings, jobs and pensions, there was also a relentless campaign
by the Scottish Conservatives who said that the only way to remain
in the EU was to vote to remain in the UK. This and a vow printed
in the press promising more powers for Scotland swayed many voters
to vote remain. Fast forward to 2016 and despite voting overwhelmingly
to remain in the EU, Scotland has found itself in the position
of being forced out against its will.
Following
brexit, the Scottish Parliament will see powers returning from
Brussels in key devolved areas being retained by Westminster.
The
only way that Scotland can take back control from Westminster,
remain in the EU, protect its iconic brands, protect its economy
and the rights of the people living and working here, is through
Scottish Independence.
Independence
can come in many ways, the preferred route is through a second
referendum, although it is highly unlikely that Westminster will
agree to that. Scotland could make a Unilateral Declaration of
Independence, but there are many who see UDI as being undemocratic.
A vote returning a majority of Independence supporting MP's or
MSP's in a General or Scottish election could be used as a trigger
to declare independence or we could end the union if the treaty
was broken by the other side.
Whatever
route is taken, one thing is certain, Scotland needs to get out
of this union so it can determine its own future and protect the
countries economy, jobs and iconic brands before there is nothing
left worth protecting.
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