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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There are 184 comments to this article
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easyzone
Wednesday, February 15, 2012 at 12:37 AMCaption .................Beam me up , Scottie!
easyzone
Wednesday, February 15, 2012 at 12:32 AMOn both STV (Sccotland tonight ) and BBC's ( Newsnight) , there was talk of possible liquidation for Rangers football club. Only Scots know what this really means for Scotland and Scottish football. I may be wrong but I think this is going to have far more important repercussions than the referendum issue at the moment, making it pale into insignificance. I see the match on Saturday is going ahead because the administrators have given the police assurance that they will be paid .For those that are a wee bit ignorant about Scottish matters , policing at football matches especially when there is a a derby , means incredible policing with vans , horses , bobbies etc . etc ; Sadly if Mr Salmond is so keen on doing away with football sectarianism , his wish might come true. Of course , and as it happens , he should have been in Scotland , not down in England lecturing on the merits of the break up of the UK. Instead , Nicola has had to go on TV expressing anxiety on the situation. Not good enough , Mr Salmond , not good enough .
Cynicus
Tuesday, February 14, 2012 at 10:47 PM169 Mercutio Tuesday, February 14, 2012 at 04:13 PM Another prize for the picture editor as his eckness leads the prayers. ======================================================== is Jowly Eck a Muslim? No, he cannot be. Despite the open handed praying mode, his head is uncovered. Toupees do not qualify, especially if over-coloured in Grecian 2000.
Cynicus
Tuesday, February 14, 2012 at 10:37 PMMILROY RENICKS Tuesday, February 14, 2012 at 05:35 PM RAY WILKINS, is needed in RANGERS hour of need. ======================================================== Is "RAY WILKINS" an alias for Bill Gates?
amicus alba
Tuesday, February 14, 2012 at 09:46 PM176 Anagach. =================================================== Not sure about Malta but Germany has the Bundesbank as its central bank never mind the ECB. We will be keeping sterling and we will have monetary and fiscal restrictions from the BoE. I'm quoting current SNP thinking on the matter which seems to allude one of your less bright compatriots.
Anagach
Tuesday, February 14, 2012 at 09:30 PM177 Vote 'NO' The day will come soon when we Scots take to the streets to question by voting against the legitimacy of the first minister's minority Executive. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Once again please this time in English.
rider000
Tuesday, February 14, 2012 at 08:34 PM174 MILROY RENICKS RAY WILKINS, is needed in RANGERS hour of need........ What the SPL clubs need is to gain more exposure to raise TV rights payments. SNP policy would likely to be to form an arc of football with Iceland, Norway and Ireland. I'd suggest the top clubs have words with the English FA to sort out a rescue plan for Scottish football.
Vote 'NO'
Tuesday, February 14, 2012 at 08:25 PMPopular uprising in Syria, and in Bahrain. The day will come soon when we Scots take to the streets to question by voting against the legitimacy of the first minister's minority Executive.
Anagach
Tuesday, February 14, 2012 at 08:12 PM161 amicus alba Our Fiscal and Monetary flexibility will be set by the Bank of England who will be ensuring the needs of the UK - not Scotland. Salmond has still to go begging to them to ask them to be the bank of last resort. The BoE will set policies and borrowing limits for 90% of the remainder of the UK and Scotland can whistle if it thinks it will be different. Therefore no matter what happens in a referendum we will not be "independent". ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- An Independent Scotland can always move to another currency or set up its own, or run its own central bank, it also does not need a lender of last resort (see Germany or France or even Malta which currently do not have a lender of last resort). And thses are decision that can be taken in Scotland. Under the Union Fiscal and Monetary flexibility is set by the Bank of England who ensure the needs of the economy of South East England - not Scotland or the North of England.
Independence for England
Tuesday, February 14, 2012 at 07:52 PM'Alex Salmond claims Scottish independence would be good for English regions'. Will Scottish independence be good for Scottish regions Alex?
MILROY RENICKS
Tuesday, February 14, 2012 at 05:35 PMRAY WILKINS, is needed in RANGERS hour of need.
MILROY RENICKS
Tuesday, February 14, 2012 at 05:26 PM60 million is peanuts, Just pay it. Never mind the ball, Get on with the Gemme.
whitstomatowiu
Tuesday, February 14, 2012 at 05:17 PMColonialtoff,------------Very very poor response, Typical unionista nothing to offer----------------------It's not Scotland's fault if you're living in a one party State--------------------The Scots seen the light years ago thats how the Snp was formed-----------------------------------------You Engerlanders have been conned for years thinking you had different parties to vote for.-----------------------------------------------------------Blair and Brown were more Tory than the Tories but you fell for it like Grahamski from Falkirk----------------------------------------Just look at the choice you have Mr Toff------- BNP, N-F ELD and MRLP
jane shore
Tuesday, February 14, 2012 at 04:54 PM168 Cynicus ... I don't underestimate the effect the failure of RFC would have on the club or Scottish football. But, my point, that any sort of bail-out by English taxpayers would be a goal for English seperatists, & another for Scottish Unionists.
HorridHenrietta
Tuesday, February 14, 2012 at 04:33 PM168 Cynicus - I don't follow why you think if Rangers go under Scotland will. It sounds a bit like the apes & Gibraltar myth. Would it not be a good thing if Rangers were wiped out that would help put an end to the sectarianism that has brought so much shame to Scotland. PS. Are Scotland not really rubbish at football?
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