Alex Salmond claims Scottish independence would be good for English regions
Salmond: the economic case for independence is "absolutely clear". Picture: Greg Macvean
SCOTTISH independence could lead to a better deal for the regions of England, Alex Salmond told an audience south of the Border last night.
He insisted that “structural changes” would be needed if Scotland left the UK that could result in many regions enjoying an improved relationship with Westminster.
However, he was accused of “lecturing” to the people of England when he should be dealing with issues such as unemployment in Scotland.
Mr Salmond made the comments during a speech at Liverpool’s John Moores University in which he said Westminster leaders were “out of touch with the masses”. He continued: “Scottish independence would require a rethinking of the structures of the rest of the UK.
“It would be for England, Wales and Northern Ireland to decide how this came about, but the end result would surely reflect the needs of the English regions better than the current arrangements.”
The First Minister added “all England over, I will back the English masses over the Westminster classes,” – echoing the words of William Gladstone, who in a speech in Liverpool in 1886 said: “All the world over, I will back the masses against the classes.”
Mr Salmond told the audience: “The unpopularity of Westminster leaders in Scotland is largely based on their ham-fisted interventions in the debate on Scotland’s future.
“Their unpopularity in England is based on their inability, in these tough times, to present a positive vision of the future of England. But it may also reflect something else.”
The First Minister went on: “One reason, in my view, for the current unpopularity of the UK parties is that on issues from health reform to economic recovery, the Westminster classes seem to be out of touch with the masses. And they seem more out of touch the further from Westminster you travel.”
His comments follow a speech in London last month when Mr Salmond said an independent Scotland could be a “beacon” of progressive opinion for the UK.
And last night he insisted independence could end the growing sense of “grievance” with Scotland south of the Border. “Whenever Scotland chooses a distinctive policy approach – for example free prescriptions or the abolition of tuition fees – some people at Westminster suspect, wrongly, that England is getting a raw financial deal,” he said. “Such a sentiment is unfounded: Scotland more than pays its way in the Union.”
But Mr Salmond’s comments came under fire from opposition leaders. Labour’s shadow Scottish secretary, Margaret Curran, said: “Alex Salmond is quick to accuse others of interfering in Scotland yet he sees no problem in lecturing the people of England how they should be running their affairs.
“His time would be better served tackling Scotland’s economic problems and trying to create employment for the 200 Scots losing their job every day.”
Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson added: “Rather than using the office of First Minister to go on some kind of roadshow in England to persuade people there about his plans for separation, Alex Salmond should be concentrating on sorting out Scotland’s economy and trying to find jobs for more than 100,000 unemployed young people.
“People will see through this blatant opportunism. Once again, Alex Salmond’s ego is getting in the way of having a mature discussion about what separation would actually mean.”
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Comments
There are 86 comments to this article
Page 1 of 6
Anagach
Wednesday, February 15, 2012 at 12:45 AM82 Troll Lewinsky Or maybe even Gaelic? Thought not! The man is a joker. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The target being a meeting in Liverpool, English was probably the best language to address the meeting. As for jokes, well Ill leave that with you as the expert in jokes.
Anagach
Wednesday, February 15, 2012 at 12:43 AM83 trollski Gaelic road signs are for tourists to take photies. but that's just my opinion. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- And you are entitled to it. Your wrong, but you are entitled to an opinion on the matter.
Lies and stats
Wednesday, February 15, 2012 at 12:39 AMInteresting to see the Scotsman not interested in David Cameron's thoughts on alcohol and introducing a minimum price for alcohol in England. Will be fascinating to see Labour and the Tories in Scotland doing a U Turn on the subject.
trollski
Wednesday, February 15, 2012 at 12:37 AMGaelic road signs are for tourists to take photies. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Welsh road signs are actually understood by some Welsh people (I have redacted the rest of this post for reasons of sensitivity to national differencies within the UK) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- but that's just my opinion.
Troll Lewinsky
Wednesday, February 15, 2012 at 12:30 AM81 Anagach Wednesday, February 15, 2012 at 12:19 AM 69 Salamanderski Should have delivered his talk in Urdu or Punjabi! ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ah the smell of Unionist Xenophobia in the evening.------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Or maybe even Gaelic? Thought not! The man is a joker.
Anagach
Wednesday, February 15, 2012 at 12:19 AM69 Salamanderski Should have delivered his talk in Urdu or Punjabi! ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ah the smell of Unionist Xenophobia in the evening.
famous15
Wednesday, February 15, 2012 at 12:14 AMThe one that should gave got away? Narrowest of minds in the universe. Condemning a major academic institution because of one member of staff? The LSE is above you! (yes an SNP member praising an English Institution)
famous15
Wednesday, February 15, 2012 at 12:10 AMSo John Moores is a terrible place but what Mr Salmond said I trust was OK?
famous15
Wednesday, February 15, 2012 at 12:09 AMSo the Unionists think it is bad that Mr Salmond speaks on a platform in John Moores University. but I take it they did not find fault with what he said because that has been ignored in the froth of insults that they fling at the Scottish First Minister. Respect is it?
Kinghob
Tuesday, February 14, 2012 at 11:50 PM'John Kenyon You are hallucinating. Scotland will not become independent. Not now, and not ever!"..................That is just baseless sentiment and not only sad and ignorant.......but arrogant!
whitstomatowiu
Tuesday, February 14, 2012 at 10:34 PMThe one that got away,---------------------------I noticed you are very jittery about your posts it was'nt a typo it was a spelling mistake ----------------------- Children in glasshouses ---------------------I warned you last night don't make any slip ups--------------------------------------------------------Still nothing but childish name calling "His jowly face, Fat Boy" oh so immature--------------------------------------------------------Your Name is it "The one that got away " from the nursery school?
Ricardo88
Tuesday, February 14, 2012 at 10:32 PMor drives them, rather, lol!
Ricardo88
Tuesday, February 14, 2012 at 10:31 PMSuch lovely people these unionists, aren't they? They always end up showing their true hateful colours in the end-that's what driver them after all!
The one that got away
Tuesday, February 14, 2012 at 10:27 PMIt should have been Sturgeon, the ugly deputy who should have been invited. Afterall, she gave such glowing character reference to a pakistani with questionable background!
The one that got away
Tuesday, February 14, 2012 at 10:24 PMLSE's director had to resign because the insitution's links with Libya. There are enquiries going on. Megrahi has influence there. Pakistanis? Nothing except that the country is one huge terrorist cell.
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