It was a largely symbolic move, but the recent vote by the Scottish parliament in favour of independence from the United Kingdom certainly aids the cause of Scottish nationalists. Stonoway Gazette has the story:
Alex Salmond, First Minister of Scotland and head of the Scottish National Party
MSPs have for the first time voted in favour of Scotland becoming independent.
First Minister Alex Salmond hailed the vote, by 69 to 52, as a “milestone” in the country’s history. He also revealed that 15,000 people have backed a declaration stating it is “fundamentally better” if decisions about the country’s future are taken by the people of Scotland.
The declaration is a key part of the Yes Scotland cross-party campaign for independence, which officially got under way just six days ago. At the time of its launch Mr Salmond declared that if one million voters put their names to it “then we shall win an independent Scotland”.
The SNP leader revealed 15,000 people had already given it their backing as Holyrood debated the country’s constitutional future.
Labour, Tories and the Liberal Democrats all united round an amendment put forward by Johann Lamont, the Scottish Labour leader. It argued that it was in Scotland’s best interest to remain part of the United Kingdom and that the country was “stronger together and weaker apart”.
But that was defeated, with MSPs instead backing Mr Salmond’s motion, which said: “The Parliament agrees that Scotland should be an independent country.”
While the vote is largely procedural, it will have symbolic significance for Nationalists, who can now state that independence is “the will of the Scottish Parliament”.
Go Scotland. Do not stop now. Your independence will help fuel ours.