Local MP Sandra Osborne made a powerful speech in Parliament this week defending Scotland's place in the UK. She was speaking in a debate initiated by Glasgow Labour MP William Bain.
She called for the Referendum Debate 'to be conducted in a measured, respectful; positive manner and informed by proper analysis rather than name calling'
She went on to say:
'It should be about what we believe is best for Scotland – and not necessarily just for the generation of Scots represented here in the chamber today – but our children and grand children and those who will follow them.'
'In that regard can I congratulate Sir Tom Hunter not only for the success he has achieved as a New Cumnock lad but also for what he gives back – he certainly has not forgotten where he came from as local people will tell you. But he is also to be congratulated on his initiative to provide a forum for people to ask questions and get the answers they need to help them make this important decision about the future of their country.
We in Ayrshire have special regard for Keir Hardie as one of the great Scots of the British Labour movement. Keir Hardie believed in devolution but in the context of promoting social justice across the whole of the UK.
He started the Scottish Labour Party, the British Labour Party, helped build trade unionism in Scotland and in Britain, was an internationalist in outlook, an MP for a Welsh then an English constituency. Look at those Scots who followed in his footsteps- John Wheatley, Tom Johnston and Willie Ross – another of Ayrshire’s own. They all made a tremendous contribution to Scotland but did so from within the UK cabinet. That is not to mention Scottish influence within the last Labour Government and indeed the present shadow cabinet.'
She concluded by saying:
'Scots are not a subjugated people – we have been free to choose independence since universal suffrage almost 100 years ago. Rather Scots have positively chosen in election after election to remain a partner in the United Kingdom and I believe that will be their choice in the Referendum vote in September.'
She called for the Referendum Debate 'to be conducted in a measured, respectful; positive manner and informed by proper analysis rather than name calling'
She went on to say:
'It should be about what we believe is best for Scotland – and not necessarily just for the generation of Scots represented here in the chamber today – but our children and grand children and those who will follow them.'
'In that regard can I congratulate Sir Tom Hunter not only for the success he has achieved as a New Cumnock lad but also for what he gives back – he certainly has not forgotten where he came from as local people will tell you. But he is also to be congratulated on his initiative to provide a forum for people to ask questions and get the answers they need to help them make this important decision about the future of their country.
We in Ayrshire have special regard for Keir Hardie as one of the great Scots of the British Labour movement. Keir Hardie believed in devolution but in the context of promoting social justice across the whole of the UK.
He started the Scottish Labour Party, the British Labour Party, helped build trade unionism in Scotland and in Britain, was an internationalist in outlook, an MP for a Welsh then an English constituency. Look at those Scots who followed in his footsteps- John Wheatley, Tom Johnston and Willie Ross – another of Ayrshire’s own. They all made a tremendous contribution to Scotland but did so from within the UK cabinet. That is not to mention Scottish influence within the last Labour Government and indeed the present shadow cabinet.'
She concluded by saying:
'Scots are not a subjugated people – we have been free to choose independence since universal suffrage almost 100 years ago. Rather Scots have positively chosen in election after election to remain a partner in the United Kingdom and I believe that will be their choice in the Referendum vote in September.'