The Stream

Breaking up with the UK?

Scottish nationalists plan for an independent and sovereign state.

Scotland’s First Minister Alex Salmond and Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon pose for a picture during a press conference to launch their regional government’s long-awaited “white paper” ahead of next year’s historic independence referendum, at Glasgow Science Centre in Glasgow, Scotland, on November 26, 2013. (AFP/ANDY BUCHANAN)

Is Scotland heading for independence? In a long-awaited white paper, Scotland’s first minister, Alex Salmond, presented detailed plans for separation from the United Kingdom. Salmond said he wanted to build a “wealthier and fairer nation” adding he had to tackle a “legacy of debt” from union with Britain. So in September 2014, Scots will be asked to decide if they want to become a sovereign state. We explore arguments for and against independence with Scottish community members at 19:30 GMT.

In this episode of The Stream, we speak with: 

Robin McAlpine @ReidFoundation 
Director of the Jimmy Reid Foundation
 
Greg Philo
Professor of Communications and Social Change at Glasgow University 
 
Neil Findlay @Neil_FindlayMSP
Labour member of the Scottish Parliament for the Lothian Region
 
Fiona Hyslop @FionaHyslop
Cabinet Secretary for Culture and External Affairs in the Scottish Government

What do you think? Leave your thoughts in the comments section below.