Putting Scotland's Future in Scotland's Hands
Scotland’s Right to Choose Putting Scotland’s Future in Scotland’s Hands What if that other voice we all know so well responds by saying, 'We say no, and we are the state'? Well we say yes – and we are the people. Canon Kenyon Wright Putting Scotland’s Future in Scotland’s Hands Introduction by the First Minister of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon First Minister of Scotland The Scottish Government believes the best future for Scotland is to be an independent country in order to build a fairer, more prosperous society. It is a fundamental democratic principle that The Scottish Government is a strong advocate the decision on whether or not Scotland of the values of human dignity, freedom, becomes independent should rest with the democracy, equality, the rule of law, and people who live in Scotland. respect for human rights. There has been a significant and material We are therefore committed to an agreed, change in circumstances since the 2014 legal process which adheres to and celebrates referendum and therefore, in line with the those values, and which will be accepted as mandate received in the 2016 Holyrood legitimate in Scotland, the UK as a whole, and election, and reinforced in subsequent UK by the international community. general elections—most recently in December 2019—the Scottish Government believes Scotland is not a region questioning its place people in Scotland have the right to consider in a larger unitary state; we are a country in a their future once again. voluntary union of nations. Our friends in the rest of the UK will always be our closest allies The decision on whether a new referendum and neighbours but in line with the principle of should be held, and when, is for the Scottish self-determination, people in Scotland have the Parliament to make – not a Westminster right to determine whether the time has come government which has been rejected by the for a new, better relationship, in which we can people of Scotland.
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