MPs Diary May
Better Together
This month I want to tell you about 'Better Together' the cross party and non party campaign that promotes the view held by millions of Scots that Scotland is a better and stronger country as part of the United Kingdom.
Next year we face an historic decision. Given that separation would be irreversible and there would be no going back, the decision facing us is as great as any in our lifetime.
Personally it gives me no pleasure to campaign with the parties of the Tory/LibDem coalition considering how much their current policies are making people suffer but the parties have come together on this issue because with millions of our fellow Scots we believe our best future is to be part of the United Kingdom.
The best of both worlds
Our case is not that Scotland could not survive as a separate country - it is that being part of the UK is the best possible choice for our future. We can have the best of both worlds - a distinctive Scottish Parliament without losing the strength and security of the United Kingdom.
Scotland is stronger as part of the United Kingdom but what is often forgotten is that the United Kingdom is also stronger with Scotland as a partner.I am a proud Scot and it is for that reason I want what is best for my country. But we must make our decision based on fact not emotion.
Serious Questions
In the last few days there have been several reports published which ask serious questions about the economic consequences of leaving the United Kingdom. For example Scotland sells more to the rest of the UK than we do to the rest of the world combined. It doesn't make sense to erect an international border between our businesses and their biggest market.
In the last few weeks the questions have been piling up on currency, on pensions, on mortgages and savings which must be addressed by more than the flimsy economics we have heard so far from Alex Salmond.
United with Labour
As well as campaigning together, Labour has it's own campaign called United with Labour, launched by Gordon Brown earlier this month at the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome in Glasgow. We believe that a 'NO' to independence has to be based on a vision of a UK with social justice and fairness at its core - Labour's vision for Scotland and the UK. Our fight isn't with England. It's with social injustice and that crosses all borders.
Expert Opinion
Better Together is gathering expert opinion and analysis to contribute to an informed debate .
In the referendum everyone's vote will count including sixteen and seventeen year olds for the first time. So we all have a responsibility to get involved in deciding the future of our country and for every voice to be heard. Better Together wants to give a platform for the views of Scots and look beyond just political parties to provide opportunities to get involved in helping to make the biggest decision in our lifetime.
Joining in
You can join the Better Together on their website and the South Ayrshire campaign will be launched in Ayr on 22nd of June so you can sign up locally as well.
Sandra Osborne:
Better Together
This month I want to tell you about 'Better Together' the cross party and non party campaign that promotes the view held by millions of Scots that Scotland is a better and stronger country as part of the United Kingdom.
Next year we face an historic decision. Given that separation would be irreversible and there would be no going back, the decision facing us is as great as any in our lifetime.
Personally it gives me no pleasure to campaign with the parties of the Tory/LibDem coalition considering how much their current policies are making people suffer but the parties have come together on this issue because with millions of our fellow Scots we believe our best future is to be part of the United Kingdom.
The best of both worlds
Our case is not that Scotland could not survive as a separate country - it is that being part of the UK is the best possible choice for our future. We can have the best of both worlds - a distinctive Scottish Parliament without losing the strength and security of the United Kingdom.
Scotland is stronger as part of the United Kingdom but what is often forgotten is that the United Kingdom is also stronger with Scotland as a partner.I am a proud Scot and it is for that reason I want what is best for my country. But we must make our decision based on fact not emotion.
Serious Questions
In the last few days there have been several reports published which ask serious questions about the economic consequences of leaving the United Kingdom. For example Scotland sells more to the rest of the UK than we do to the rest of the world combined. It doesn't make sense to erect an international border between our businesses and their biggest market.
In the last few weeks the questions have been piling up on currency, on pensions, on mortgages and savings which must be addressed by more than the flimsy economics we have heard so far from Alex Salmond.
United with Labour
As well as campaigning together, Labour has it's own campaign called United with Labour, launched by Gordon Brown earlier this month at the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome in Glasgow. We believe that a 'NO' to independence has to be based on a vision of a UK with social justice and fairness at its core - Labour's vision for Scotland and the UK. Our fight isn't with England. It's with social injustice and that crosses all borders.
Expert Opinion
Better Together is gathering expert opinion and analysis to contribute to an informed debate .
In the referendum everyone's vote will count including sixteen and seventeen year olds for the first time. So we all have a responsibility to get involved in deciding the future of our country and for every voice to be heard. Better Together wants to give a platform for the views of Scots and look beyond just political parties to provide opportunities to get involved in helping to make the biggest decision in our lifetime.
Joining in
You can join the Better Together on their website and the South Ayrshire campaign will be launched in Ayr on 22nd of June so you can sign up locally as well.
Sandra Osborne: