Scotland's Future

by The Scottish Government

Scotland’s referendum on 18 September 2014 is a choice between two futures.

If we vote Yes, we take the next step on Scotland’s journey. We will move forward with confidence, ready to make the most of the many opportunities that lie ahead. The most important decisions about our economy and society will be taken by the people who care most about Scotland, that is by the people of Scotland. The door will open to a new era for our nation.

Scotland’s future will be in Scotland’s hands.

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.

We, the people who live here, have the greatest stake in making Scotland a success. With independence we can make Scotland the fairer and more successful country we all know it should be. We can make Scotland’s vast wealth and resources work much better for everyone in our country, creating a society that reflects our hopes and ambition. Being independent means we will have a government that we choose – a government that always puts the people of Scotland first.

This is what being independent can deliver for Scotland and it is why the Scottish Government believes the people of Scotland, individually and collectively, will be better off with independence.

Genres: Nonfiction, Reference, Politics, Scotland

649 pages, ebook

First published January 1, 2013

Reviews

[Ellie McGowan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A brilliant read, very interesting! Although, I think it is best to keep in mind that it is very political, so the views are certainly going to be skewed.
But very interesting over-all!

[Mark Maguire · Rating 3 out of 5]

A considered and balanced analysis of how a Social - Democratic Scotland would arise from the ashes of the former Act of Union.

At the time of the inception of the document; it was ridiculed by the No Campaign as reading 'like a party manifesto'. There is nothing wrong with this of course; as these publications are aimed at the interested sections of the public whom consider themselves them to be informed and / or interested in the larger political schemes of the day. The essential problem that the No Campaign had with this tome was that they had nothing of a comparable nature to offer beyond the benefit of 'continuity'.

Reading this book now is an exercise in the melacholic. The democractic and economic proposals within the book are now redundant, and the focus now turns to the deliverance of 'The Vow', as promised by the Westminster elite. Having spoken to a number of No voters, the general seems to be that whilst the majority of the population voted No out of fear and lethargy, there is no guarantee that this will be the case for subsequent generations. In this respect, the book should remain on the shelf, primed and ready for any future independence bids.

[Joanna Grams · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a really good work, plainly and clearly written. Although it's quite political I think and it shows the views of SNP in some parts. Also in my opinion there's waffling for pages whereas I was expecting specific data or examples. Arguments were repeated several times (for example, I don't know how many times "bedroom tax" was mentioned). But in general it was interesting and very useful read.

[Stuart · Rating 2 out of 5]

This tome is rambling, repetitive, disorganised, and unstructured, but it's also passionate. There are a few interesting highlights or insights. The Q&A section towards the end is slightly more concise and coherent. The target audience seems to be government professionals, and not for the majority of the electorate.

[Sioned Raybould · Rating 1 out of 5]

I remember reading this for the first time and I was absolutely furious by the tactics used to convince the electorate to vote yes to Independence.

'Scotland pays more tax per head than any other area of Britain' was an example of the most infuriating and amusing claims. How the SNP manage to twist words so delicately..

Ah well, at least it's over now.

[Marc Livingstone]

Am very glad to have finished this. I don't know why I bothered though, seeing as independence isn't actually about the SNP apparently. Luckily I have a copy of Jim Sillers' In Place of Fear II which describes what will actually happen if we vote yes.

[Heidi · Rating 2 out of 5]

More hard work than it needed to be.