The UK, by Denying Scotland to Leave the Voluntary Union Treaty, Is Breaking International Law

Jan 8, 2024

Thousands March in Cardiff Calling for Welsh Independence

THE GUARDIAN: Rally by campaigners, who say Westminster government does not serve nation’s best interests, is second in a few months

Welsh independence campaigners in the centre of Cardiff, Wales on Saturday. Photograph: Bronwen Weatherby/PA
Thousands of people have marched through Cardiff as part of a rally for Welsh independence.

Campaigners at the event carried large flags and banners and paraded through the city centre led by a samba band. It was organised by All Under One Banner Cymru (AUOB) and Yes Cymru. It was the second pro-independence rally to take place in Wales this year, after a march attracted about 8,000 supporters in Wrexham in July.

The AUOB and Yes Cymru [Cymru is Welsh for Wales] are campaigning for independence from the United Kingdom, as they believe Westminster does not operate with the best interests of the Welsh people in mind.

Despite rail strikes across the UK, organisers estimated about 10,000 people made it to the march – at the front of which was a banner saying “Annibyniaeth”, meaning independence in Welsh.

…

Harriet Protheroe-Soltani from AUOB Cymru said: “Given the UK government’s recent tax cuts for the rich and continual erosion of workers’ rights it’s important, now more than ever, that people come along and demonstrate that we do not trust Westminster to look after the interests of Wales.” » | Gemma McSherry | Saturday, October 1, 2022

How ironic it would be if Scotland and Wales seceded from the Union and Ireland became independent, too. Scotland and Wales could be independent nations in the European Union. The Republic of Ireland is already in the European Union and is prosperous as a result of its membership; so, if Northern Ireland joined Eire, the whole of Ireland would be in the EU. That would leave England truly isolated. Perhaps it could apply to the US to become its 51st state! I'm sure Disney could do something splendid with England's royal heritage! A sad irony indeed. Sad, that is, for the English. – © Mark Alexander

'Stop the World, Scotland Wants to Get On'

Jun 15, 2022 • The leader of the Scottish National Party in Westminster Ian Blackford MP, echoed his colleague Nicola Sturgeon's words calling for a new referendum on Scottish independence….

Verwandt.

Calexit? California Paves Way for Independence Vote

EURONEWS: Grassroots organisers have received the green light to start campaigning for California to secede from the United States.

Spurred by widespread discontent towards Donald Trump’s presidency, the Yes California group has begun collecting signatures to pave the way for the western US state to effectively become its own independent country. » | Tuesday, January 31, 2017

Independence from Rome! Venice Floating Away Unnoticed as Crimea Steals Show

While the Crimean referendum tops world media headlines, an attempt at secession is going on in Veneto, Italy, with its major city Venice. But as it is being virtually ignored by media, people in Europe are hardly aware of what's happening next door.

'Project Fear': UK Launches PR Offensive Against Scottish Independence

Scotland is looking ahead to its September 2014 vote on whether to become an independent country but in London, the government is campaigning hard against succession. RT's Polly Boiko has been investigating the warnings from Westminster that Scottish nationalists have dismissed as scaremongering.

Scottish Referendum: Alex Salmond Says Scotland Can Afford Independence

BBC: Scotland can "more than afford' to be a successful independent country, its first minister has said.

Alex Salmond was speaking as he launched a paper outlining the nation's key economic strengths.

He said the document offered a consolidated picture of the country's strong financial foundations, diverse economy, ingenuity and natural resources.

Scotland's electorate will vote in a referendum on independence next year. (+ video) » | Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Inside Story: Will the United Kingdom Be Divided?
As a deal for a historic referendum on Scottish independence is signed, we ask if Scotland can really go it alone.

David Cameron: Scottish Independence 'Deeply Sad'
Prime Minister David Cameron began his visit to Scotland today with the message that he is ''a patriot for the whole United Kingdom''.

Read the article and comment here | Thursday, February 16, 2012

The End of Great Britain? Scottish Separatists Have High Hopes for Referendum

SPIEGEL ONLINE INTERNATIONAL: Though their relationship has always been fraught with problems, Scotland and England have been partners for over 300 years. But Scottish nationalists, with their charismatic leader Alex Salmond, believe their chances of gaining independence are closer than ever.

No, there are no Englishmen hanging from the trees in the Scottish Highlands. There are no Scottish terrorists setting off bombs, and someone who speaks with an English accent here isn't likely to be targeted for a beating. Likewise, it's only rarely that you'll see the "Free Scotland" slogan along the highway from Glasgow to Edinburgh. So where exactly are all these separatists supposedly intent on splitting Britain apart?

Though they might be hard to spot, they do exist, they're active and they might even reach their goal in less than four years -- and all in a way that is perfectly democratic.

On Jan. 25, the Scots were commemorating Robert Burns, their national poet. Meanwhile, in Edinburgh, Alex Salmond, the charismatic leader of the Scottish National Party (SNP), announced how he intends to dissolve Great Britain. In a referendum to be held in the fall of 2014, the Scots will be asked to answer the following question: "Do you agree Scotland should be an independent country?" If a majority votes that it should be, the partition could already be completed by 2016.

The move would put an end to what will have been a 309-year partnership -- and be a serious blow. Although it boasts its own nuclear arsenal, Britain is now only a mid-sized power that sometimes still suffers from the loss of its empire. Likewise, it is increasingly isolating itself within Europe. Were Scotland to go its own way, Britain would suddenly see its population drop by 5.2 million, and its economic output could shrink by about £120 billion (€145 billion/$190 billion). However, as one of the few positive consequences for the government in London, the move would also lead to a reduction of nearly the same sum in its mountain of debt. » | Marco Evers | Thursday, February 02, 2012

Scots Land First Blow in Battle to End Union

THE SYDNEY MORNING HERALD: EDINBURGH: Scotland's First Minister, Alex Salmond, has taken the first formal step towards an independence referendum that the government in Edinburgh hopes will secure a mandate for the country's withdrawal from the United Kingdom in as little as five years.

In a Scottish government consultation paper published on Wednesday, the leader of the Scottish National Party said the 2014 referendum would ask Scotland's 4 million voters: “Do you agree that Scotland should be an independent country?”

Mr Salmond's plan for the independence vote set the stage for what some in Britain have described as a high-stakes constitutional poker game pitting Mr Salmond against the British Prime Minister, David Cameron, with the prize the right to dismantle, or preserve, Britain's existence as a united country.

Mr Cameron has insisted that only parliament in London has the legal power to approve a referendum on the potential breakup of the union between England and Scotland, which was forged in the Act of Union of 1707. He has also said London, not Edinburgh, should set the terms and timing of the vote.

Mr Salmond has rejected those positions and on Wednesday he threw down the gauntlet. Outlining his own terms for the ballot, he set a May deadline for the conclusion of a public consultation['] on its terms and suggested that Mr Cameron would have little choice in the end but to bow to whatever format Mr Salmond's government adopted. » | John Burns, Alan Cowell | Friday, January 27, 2012

Alex Salmond: Scotland Could Be Independent by 2016
Alex Salmond today vowed to break up Britain by 2016 as he set out his timetable for a referendum on Scottish independence and its aftermath.

Read article and comment here | Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Braveheart Speech (HD)

Scottish independence: a history of Anglo-Scottish rivalry: The stand-off between David Cameron and Alex Salmond over the future of the Union is the latest confrontation in a 2000-year history of rivalry between Scotland and England. » | Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Related »

Scotland Warned It Could Lose the Pound and Be Forced to Join Euro as Price of Independence
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Scotland may be forced to join the Euro as the price of independence from the United Kingdom, Downing Street warned today.


A spokesman for David Cameron said there were no guarantees that the Scots could keep sterling if they voted against remaining affiliated with the rest of the union.

Mr Cameron’s spokesman said: “Once you start asking the question about independence, one part of that is what currency to have. Would Scotland retain the pound, and if so, how does that work? Or does it join the euro? That’s one part of the independence question.”

Other issues which Downing Street said would need ironing out are shared defence capabilities, the national debt and border security.

A carve up of assets between England and Scotland could leave both countries facing years of legal wrangling. » | James Kirkup, and Simon Johnson | Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Related audio »

Salmond: Cameron Should ‘Butt Out’ of the Independence Referendum
BBC: The Scottish Secretary Michael Moore has said he hopes the row over the independence referendum can be worked out amicably and would not end up in the courts.

The Scottish government has said it has a mandate to hold the vote in the autumn of 2014 but ministers at Westminster say that would be unlawful under current devolved powers.

They are prepared to give Holyrood the authority to hold a binding vote provided its a single question, is overseen by the Electoral Commission and the minimum voting age is 18.

First Minister Alex Salmond told BBC Good Morning Scotland he thinks Mr Moore is wrong about the voting age. Listen to the audio » | Tuesday, January 11, 2012

Alex Salmond Sure Scots Will Back SNP and Vote for Independence

THE GUARDIAN: Leader reiterates referendum will ask two questions, one on full independence and the second on fiscal autonomy

The Scottish nationalist leader, Alex Salmond, threw down the gauntlet to Labour on Sunday, challenging the party to devise an enhanced devolution plan to put to Scottish voters alongside the independence option in the referendum.

He declared he was confident, though, that Scots would back independence in the referendum due before the next Holyrood elections, in 2016.

"In my heart, in my head, I think Scotland will become an independent country within the European community, with a friendly, co-operative relationship with our partners in these islands," Salmond told the Andrew Marr Show on BBC1. » | Martin Kettle | Sunday, October 23, 2011

Scotland: Is the British Establishment Selling the Union Down the River?

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Civil servants and diplomats are helping Alex Salmond to break up the UK .

We shall probably never know what was said over the Balmoral Castle dinner table by the Queen and Alex Salmond, Scotland’s First Minister, this week. Of all this nation’s great secrets, none are more sacred than what passes between the Head of State and the senior politicians who govern in her name.

There is little doubt that Mr Salmond has struck up an extremely amicable working relationship with Her Majesty, which includes regular visits to the royal residence on Deeside. In fact, while David and Samantha Cameron had a rare overnight stay at Balmoral three weeks ago, Mr Salmond and his wife Moira have probably notched up five or six “dinner, bed and breakfasts” at the castle. He also sees her regularly when she visits her Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh.

Although he is hell-bent on holding a referendum within the next three years to break up Elizabeth II’s United Kingdom (she’s only Elizabeth I in Scotland, by the way), he has reassured the House of Windsor that Her Majesty would remain Queen of Scots if his separatist plans come to fruition.

He has abandoned his plans for a referendum on the future of the monarchy north of the Border and said that, while he wants to repeal the 1707 Treaty of Union between Scotland and England, he is determined to honour the 1606 Union of the Crowns, which saw James VI of Scotland become James I of England.

Whether this concession made any difference to the Queen’s attitude towards the leader of the Scottish National Party we shall never know, given her steely determination to stay out of political controversy. » | Alan Cochrane | Thursday, September 22, 2011

Moore: Westminster Government Won't Block Independence Vote
THE SCOTSMAN: Michael Moore. the Secretary of State for Scotland, said today that the UK Government will not obstruct or pre-empt a referendum on Scottish independence.

The Lib Dem MP also said his party "would have to be tone deaf" to miss the point that the Westminster coalition had a bearing on their heavy defeat in Scotland.

Lib Dem disaffection was a strong factor in the SNP`s landslide victory which has cleared the way for an independence referendum in the latter part of the new Scottish Parliament.

Mr Moore said: "As a UK Government we will not be putting obstacles in the way of any referendum.

"When we get to the point of a referendum actually taking place, as a Liberal Democrat I will obviously campaign against it." » | David Gunn | Sunday, May 08, 2011

Wales Votes 'Yes' to More Devolved Powers
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: The vote in the Welsh referendum for more legislative powers has been described as a historic day in the nation's history by first minister Carwyn Jones.

A total of 517,132 people voted in favour compared to 297,380 against.

The result gives Wales powers to pass its own laws in its 20 devolved areas - like Scotland and Northern Ireland - without the approval of Westminster.

Mr Jones said: ''This is a historic day for Wales. It is a clear and concise Yes vote across whole of Wales from the coast to the border.''

Twenty-one out of 22 constituencies in Wales voted in favour of gaining primary law-making powers - with the only No vote coming from Monmouthshire.

Welsh national party Plaid Cymru, which is in a coalition government with Labour, expressed delight at the win. >>> | Friday, March 04, 2011

Related >>>

Wales Says Yes in Referendum Vote
BBC: First Minister Carwyn Jones thanked Yes for Wales supporters after the result became a foregone conclusion.

Wales has said a resounding Yes in the referendum on direct law-making powers for the assembly.

Almost all 22 Welsh counties have declared, and all except one, Monmouthshire, backed change. Turnout is provisionally put at 35%.

As celebrations began, First Minister Carwyn Jones said: "This has been a Yes vote across the whole of Wales."

A Yes vote will give the assembly direct law-making power in 20 devolved areas, such as health and education.

With only a couple of counties left to declare, the final result is now a formality. >>> | Friday, March 04, 2011

BBC: Welsh referendum: Gloom in No camp as count continues – Leaders of the No campaign in the Welsh assembly powers referendum admit they are pessimistic about their chances. >>> | Friday, March 04, 2011