Hansard

The Presiding Officer (Tricia Marwick) NPA

The next item of business is a debate on motion S4M-07721, in the name of Alex Salmond, on Scotland’s future.14:40

The First Minister (Alex Salmond) SNP

It will give me enormous pleasure to move the motion in my name. In exactly a year’s time, the people of Scotland will choose whether to become an independen...

Gavin Brown (Lothian) (Con) Con

The approach of “empathy, not enmity” does not appear to have lasted long.The First Minister suggested that“an independent Scotland will not inherit any shar...

The First Minister SNP

First, I do not think that commenting on what the United Nations rapporteur has said is introducing antipathy into the debate; it is the bedroom tax that is ...

Johann Lamont (Glasgow Pollok) (Lab) Lab

I am proud to rise and speak to the amendment in my name. Indeed, it is because I am a proud Scot, not despite it, that I support Scotland’s remaining strong...

The First Minister SNP

Earlier today—and I have the quotation here—Johann Lamont herself made the argument for Scottish decision making. She said about the Scottish Parliament:“Wha...

Johann Lamont Lab

I thought that I made an excellent point, but obviously the First Minister, as ever, missed it. He is saying that all decisions have to be made here, but we ...

The Presiding Officer NPA

Order.

Johann Lamont Lab

Alex Salmond looks at the Parliament of 1707 and says, “This Parliament is reconvened.” This Parliament, with a democratic suffrage, has nothing to do with t...

Ruth Davidson (Glasgow) (Con) Con

In the run-up to today, the year-out point from the referendum, words such as “historic” “generational” and “once in a lifetime” have been regularly sprinkle...

Margo MacDonald (Lothian) (Ind) Ind

I wonder whether Ruth Davidson is aware that there are fewer men under arms in the British army and other services now than there were at the start of the ba...

Ruth Davidson Con

I believe that our footprint around the world is such that we are in the top three defence forces in the world, given our commitment of gross domestic produc...

The Presiding Officer NPA

Order.

Ruth Davidson Con

I believe that our future alliances, our future assistance and our future security will be best served by the British Army, Royal Navy and Royal Air Force—

Kevin Stewart (Aberdeen Central) (SNP) SNP

Will Ruth Davidson give way?

Ruth Davidson Con

—and not by the division of personnel, platforms, assets and hardware that separation would entail.

Kevin Stewart SNP

Will the member give way?

The Presiding Officer NPA

The member is not giving way, Mr Stewart.

Ruth Davidson Con

If Margo MacDonald is making the point that our footprint is smaller than it once was, in different times of war, to break up our nation and break up that de...

The Presiding Officer NPA

Ms Davidson, you must end.

Ruth Davidson Con

I believe in devolution. I believe in a strong Scottish Parliament in a strong UK and that is why I am proud to back the amendment to the motion.

The Presiding Officer NPA

We now move to the open debate. Speeches are to be six minutes long. I ask members to be as brief as they can.15:10

George Adam (Paisley) (SNP) SNP

We live in exciting times. This is a time of potential responsibility and opportunity for our nation, although when people listen to the leader of the Labour...

Richard Lyle (Central Scotland) (SNP) SNP

Name and shame him!

George Adam SNP

No, I will not do that, because he is not here.One young boy came up to me afterwards and said, in true Paisley fashion, “George—you had him on toast.”During...

Margo MacDonald Ind

On the matter of campaigning 40 years ago, I was there. A report then found that one child in 10 was born to fail.

George Adam SNP

I remember hearing about that report. It was one of the things that motivated me to become involved in politics. It is one of the reasons why, in the real wo...

The Presiding Officer NPA

You must bring your remarks to a close, Mr Adam.

George Adam SNP

We have the bedroom tax currently, and Mr Sarwar, the deputy leader of the Labour Party, is constantly making all kinds of accusations, and policy on the hop...

The Presiding Officer NPA

I really must ask you to close, Mr Adam.