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CAMPAIGNING FOR SCOTLAND
(Owned, Edited and Printed in Scotland since November 1926)
"Promoting all that is best in Scottish Nationalism and all that is best in Scotland."
Content of the Flag in the Wind Web Site is the copyright of the Scots Independent Newspaper.

[ Issue 609 - 3rd February 2012 ]

Compiled by Gary Knox

Even if you take last May into consideration, never has it ever been more exciting to be a member of the SNP. The process of delivering what we and our forebears have fought so hard for, for so long has formally begun.

I was not in parliament to hear Alex Salmond announce the Your Scotland Your Referendum consultation. Nor was I among the throng gathered at Edinburgh Castle for the media launch. However, even from afar, you could sense the buzz as a day of theatre was played out in front of the watching world.

A couple of days later, I was at the West Lothian edition of the Independence Roadshow, where Campaign Director Angus Robertson updated the local membership on how the campaign was shaping up.

All the while, SNP HQ is drowning in membership applications – with 1800 new members signed up in three weeks – including a very significant one from Glasgow.

Standing on the Shoulders of Giants

We will never forget those who tilled the barren land and sowed the first seeds of Independence in the imagination of Scots.

In West Lothian, where the battle has been joined for longer than in many other places, we have particular cause to remember. Archie Brown, elected as an SNP councillor in Armadale in 1950. Robert Kerr, the first in an unbroken series of SNP councillors for Torphichen stretching back 50 years. Billy Wolfe and Angus McGillivray, who both did so much to shape the modern SNP into an effective and credible political force. James O’Neill, an inspirational councillor in Livingston who refused to let his physical disability prevent him fighting for his community and country. Donnie MacNeill, a master of reaching across the political divide and growing our influence. And many more.

All of them stood up strongly for their beliefs when it would have been much easier (and understandable) to remain in the background. They created our opportunity of today and we owe a huge debt of gratitude which can only be repaid by realising their dream.

A Giant on the World Stage

Which brings us to one of West Lothian’s surviving sons. He may have made his political home in Aberdeenshire, but we know from which rock the First Minister is carved.

To see Alex Salmond straddle the world stage over the last week has been awe inspiring. For weeks, he has been all over the UK media at his pitch-perfect best. That he made the transition to world statesman last week with consummate ease may not have been a surprise but speaks volumes of how he has developed the role of First Minister since May. The rewards of winning a majority are now being reaped. Without the continual need to look over his shoulder, he can cast his eyes and thoughts forward unhindered.

All energies can be invested in the positive and proactive. With the exception of the weekly ritual of FMQs, there is no need to spend any energy arguing with the opposition when they are not acting reasonably or responsibly. Salmond’s stature as a world statesman will continue to grow as a result – he may already be the most popular politician in England!!! – and this backdrop of a Scotland increasingly at ease when playing on the international stage will provide a stark contrast to the accusations of separation and insularity that will undoubtedly come our way.

A Gigantic Turnout

Angus Robertson and his tablet arrived in Bathgate on Saturday so they could, between them, update the members of Almond Valley and Linlithgow Constituency Associations on the progress of the Referendum campaign. Angus was in better form than his tablet as it turned out but, after a crash-induced coffee break, the technology was persuaded back to life and the show continued.

150 of us gathered to hear the good news - an incredible number for just two constituencies on a Saturday afternoon and an indication of just how motivated the party is going to be in the weeks and months ahead.

We don’t want to give away the details in such a public forum as The Flag in the Wind, of course, but it is certainly encouraging to know that the perception that Alex Salmond is in complete control of the agenda is backed up by the thinking going on in the background.

To retain that control will become more difficult if and when our opponents get more organised. But, for now, we are in the box seat and increasing our lead on a number of fronts. As Angus explained, to maintain this lead, which is now starting to show in the opinion polls, we need to keep working.

A Giant Amongst Men

To round off a great week, it was very heartening to see Irfan Rabbani, a Labour councillor in Glasgow and, until recently, a member of Labour’s Scottish Executive join the SNP. As he is not contesting the election in May, any accusations of political expediency will not hold water. It seems that this is a principled decision based on a realisation that the Scotland Cllr Rabbani wants to see can only be delivered with Independence.

We welcome Cllr Rabbani to the fold and we look forward to working with him in the run up to the Referendum. Let’s hope that many more follow his example. It certainly bodes well for our hopes of replacing Labour as the ruling group on Glasgow City Council in May.

Like our gone but not forgotten comrades, Cllr Rabbani has demonstrated immense courage in making his stand. I don’t expect his life will be entirely pleasant as he sees out his remaining months as a councillor but, having done the right thing by his country, he has grown taller.

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SYNOPSIS

Samsung chooses Scotland

31/01/2012

First Minister Alex Salmond today welcomed the news that Korean giant Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI) is to base its first European offshore wind project in Fife in an inward venture worth up to £100m that is expected to create more than 500 new jobs in Scotland.

Alex Salmond The announcement came at the Scottish Offshore Wind and Supply Chain Conference in Aberdeen, at which the First Minister was delivering a keynote speech.

In conjunction with its decision to develop its offshore wind technology at the Energy Park in Fife, SHI has signed a multimillion pound deal with East Kilbride-based Clyde Blowers’ owned company, David Brown Gear Systems (David Brown), to supply gearbox systems for its next generation offshore wind turbine.

SHI will now work closely with economic development agency, Scottish Enterprise and Fife Council under a strategic agreement to develop the company’s ambitious project in Fife, which subject to successful test and demonstration of its technology would result in nacelle, gear box assembly and blade manufacturing facilities in Scotland. SHI activities at Methil will also be subject to the appropriate planning consent.

Samsung’s announcement follows investments by other companies including Taqa, Avaloq, FMC Technologies, Aker, Ineos, PetroChina, Dell, Gamesa, BNY Mellon, State Street, Amazon, Hewlett-Packard and Mitsubishi Powers Systems.

First Minister Alex Salmond, said

"I am extremely pleased to welcome this inward investment by Samsung Heavy Industries which further reinforces Scotland's place in the development of the next generation of offshore wind turbines.

“Their choice of Scotland as their first base in Europe for renewable technology development is testament to the fact this country is fast becoming the European centre for research and development in new offshore wind technologies. For Methil to be chosen as the test site for Samsung Heavy Industries’ new 7MW wind turbine is another example of this country’s ability to secure investment from global multinationals.

“Scottish Enterprise, Fife Council and Scottish Development International are committed to work with Samsung Heavy Industries and David Brown to secure further investment in the form of a new wind turbine facility and associated gearbox plant at the Fife Energy Park at Methil – a significant move in that it could see much needed high-value employment in this area of Scotland."

David Brown will design and supply the new gearbox system for SHI's next generation offshore wind turbine as the Korean company enters the European offshore wind industry.

The company intends to co-locate a gearbox assembly plant to supply the SHI facility at Methil.

International eyes on referendum

29/01/2012

The launch of the Scottish Government’s consultation on an independence referendum reached up to 1.6 billion people worldwide, thanks to international interest in the historic event from foreign journalists.

With camera and radio crews from Europe, China, Russia and the Middle East all in attendance, the potential broadcast audience for the international press conference at Edinburgh Castle was 1.6 billion.

At the same time, newspapers in Europe, the United States and Japan saw the press coverage reach a potential audience of more than 14 million, with reporters from historic publications such as the New York Times, Liberation and De Telegraaf all in the Great Hall to witness the First Minister launch the consultation.

Many millions more across the globe will have read coverage generated by the news agencies in the Castle, with the Australian Associated Press, EFE, Reuters, Kyodo News and Xinhua all filing copy from the press conference.

As the overseas interest grew, domestically the consultation process got off to a flying start, with 700 online responses already submitted by close of business on Friday.

Scotland’s first Dark Sky Observatory

27/01/2012

Enterprise Minister Fergus Ewing today marked the start of work on the Scottish Dark Sky Observatory – the first of its kind in Scotland - which will create a state-of-the-art visitor attraction for budding stargazers and astronomers in Britain’s only dark sky park.

Fergus Ewing The new facility will be located in Galloway Forest Park, one of only 10 parks in the world to be recognised by the International Dark Sky Association. The new observatory builds on the park’s ‘dark sky’ status and offers visitors a chance to observe the Northern Lights, the Milky Way, planets, comets and shooting stars.

The observatory is receiving 94 thousand pounds funding from the Scottish Government. As well as attracting astronomers, the facility will be an educational resource for schools, colleges and universities. The project hopes to capitalise on the recent popularity of the BBC’s Stargazing Live programme, which captured the imagination of almost 3.8 million viewers this month.

The site chosen for the observatory is within a pristine landscape and has been confirmed the best possible by the Royal Observatory, with the darkest skies of the Dark Sky Park.

Mr Ewing took part in a ground breaking event at the observatory site today to mark the start of work on the project. The observatory is due to open in September 2012.

Energy, Enterprise and Tourism Minister Fergus Ewing said:

“Scotland has made an immense contribution to shaping the modern world through science and research excellence, and this new observatory builds on our reputation as a hotbed of innovation and ideas.

“The creation of a state-of-the-art, first of its kind in Britain, observatory will attract stargazers and astronomers from near and far. Almost four million people tuned into the BBC’s Stargazing Live programme and it is hoped that this new observatory will capitalise on the success of the show and capture the imagination of people of all ages.

“The Galloway Forest Park area enjoys some of the darkest skies in the world and this new facility will showcase the area’s stunning natural scenery and resources to attract new visitors and investment to Ayrshire.”

Funding for V&A at Dundee

26/01/2012

Another £1.75 million of Government funding has been committed to the V&A at Dundee over the next three years.

It brings the total Scottish Government support for the project to more than £18 million, including the £15 million capital investment already confirmed.

The new revenue funding was announced by Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop today on a visit to Dundee’s waterfront where the new museum will be built. Preparatory work at the site began on Monday.

The Culture Secretary said:

"The V&A at Dundee is an international cultural project which has the potential to bring great benefits to the city and the whole of Scotland. It will attract visitors from all over the world and presents an opportunity to strengthen Dundee’s reputation as a centre for the creative industries.

"In the Year of Creative Scotland 2012, I am delighted to confirm the Scottish Government is making a further £1.75 million available to the V&A at Dundee. These additional funds will be used to support key activities associated with the project including programming exhibitions, developing education programmes, working with designers and creative practitioners, and fundraising.

"Our significant financial contribution will enable the V&A at Dundee – with its iconic waterfront building – to work towards opening in 2015, placing the project at the centre of Dundee’s regeneration.

"It is fantastic to see investigative work underway to prepare the site for construction. With employment in that sector in Scotland predicted to grow at nearly twice the UK average over the next few years, it is clear this Government’s decision to continue investing in capital projects such as this is paying dividends for jobs and the economy."

Following the 2011 spending review, the Scottish Government confirmed it is making a total of £15 million capital available to the V&A at Dundee project towards the £45 million construction cost. In addition, £1.75 million revenue funding has been allocated from 2012-15. The V&A in Dundee has already received £1.511 interim support from the Scottish Government since 2010 – making a total of £18.261.

The V&A at Dundee is being delivered by Design Dundee Ltd, a ground-breaking partnership between the Victoria and Albert Museum - the world’s greatest museum of art and design - and Dundee City Council, the Universities of Dundee and Abertay Dundee, and Scottish Enterprise. The building is being designed by a team led by architects Kengo Kuma & Associates.

Independence referendum consultation

25/01/2012

First Minister Alex Salmond at the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh today outlined detailed proposals for the referendum in autumn 2014 on whether Scotland should be an independent country.

The consultation paper - Your Scotland Your Referendum – seeks views on:

what the ballot paper should say
what spending limits should be set
how the referendum should be managed and regulated

The consultation will close on May 11, 2012.

Mr Salmond said:

"The people who live in Scotland are the best people to make decisions about Scotland’s future. The referendum will be held in autumn 2014 on the same terms as any Scottish election, to the same standards and with the same guarantee of fairness. We will decide our future in a vote which is beyond challenge or doubt.

“Our nation is blessed with national resources, bright people and a strong society. We have an independent education system, legal system and NHS. They are respected worldwide. I believe that if we connect the wealth of our land to the well-being of our people, we can create a better country.

“Independence matters because without it we do not have the powers to reach our potential. We are limited in what we can do to create jobs, grow our economy and help the vulnerable. To achieve this we shouldn’t have a constitution that restrains us, but one which frees us to build a better society.

“Under independence, Scotland would take its place as a responsible member of the international community while continuing as a friend and good neighbour to the other nations of these islands, continuing the strong social union which will always bind us together.

“It is our future and our choice.”

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THE SCOTTISH NATIONAL PARTY
The Scots Independent Newspaper is independent of the Scottish National Party, but we support the Party in its drive for Independence; while space precludes us commenting on all the issues raised by the 69 MSPs, 6 MPs and 2 MEPs and the Party Office Bearers, we have provided a link to the SNP Website.

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Content of the Flag in the Wind is the copyright of the Scots Independent Newspaper which has been owned, edited and printed in Scotland since November 1926.