06/12/2007

Annabel's Speech at 'A New Agenda for Scotland' debate.

“Presiding Officer if for some people a week is a long time in politics, ten years can take us to a different era. Ten years ago the Conservative Party had lost the general election and was opposed to devolution. Ten years on the Conservative Party looks forward to winning a general election and is a very solid supporter of and positive participant in devolution - which is why I think the Scottish Conservatives are well placed to be objective but constructive in contributing to a process to review devolution.  We are in a new era and political debate must reflect that.

“Which is why with great pleasure I open this debate for the Scottish Conservatives. Over 8 years in this Parliament I have spoken in this Chamber on many occasions on important matters. But today is different. This debate is the most important in which the Scottish Parliament has so far engaged because it the start of Devolution Phase 2 - a process which will chart the direction of this Parliament and the future of Scotland in the 21st century.

“And this process is more important and bigger than any one political party. The challenges an individual party or politician may face at this time are secondary to the overstraddling political importance of taking forward the devolution review process.

“Within this Chamber and within Scotland there are two approaches to Scotland’s constitutional status. The minority administration led by the Scottish National Party comprising the Scottish Government seeks independence The majority presence in this Chamber comprising the Labour, Scottish Conservative and Liberal Democratic Parties, supports our continuing partnership with the United Kingdom.

“The minority view, the SNP view, the nationalist conversation is all about tearing up our constitution and ripping Britain apart. My desire, our desire, the majority desire is to build on what we have and to take that forward. And there we have it. On the margins of public opinion, the minority political presence which wants to weaken, waste and wreck. In the mainstream of Scottish public opinion, the majority view, our view which seeks to strengthen, support and secure.

“I do not support the independence objective of the Scottish National Party, I do support the present constitutional status of Scotland and I share the objectives of the other two unionist parties in wanting to secure that position and explore any possibilities that will improve our devolved governance. And let me make quite clear as a Scottish Conservative how I see Scotland in 2007.

“I am proud to be a Scot. I am proud to be British. The two are not mutually exclusive – indeed, they happily co-exist. I argued during the Scottish Parliament elections, that being part of the United Kingdom opens doors for Scotland and gives us influence in world affairs and that influence if wisely exercised, gives us an authority in world affairs. At the same time, devolution has responded to our country’s desire for a greater say over our own domestic issues.

“As a Scottish Conservative, I am driven by an overarching goal of creating a strong and prosperous Scotland within a strong and prosperous United Kingdom. I am driven by what unites us in these Isles. The Nationalists are driven by a desire to divide the nations of the United Kingdom.

“To reject independence is not anti-Scottish; it is not unpatriotic; it is quite simply wanting the best for our country. Let me say clearly to Alex Salmond – the Scottish National Party does not have the monopoly of Scottish patriotism. Scottish patriotism is a proud and deep emotion, shared by millions of people outwith the Scottish National Party. Our saltire and the lion rampant are the symbols of our nation, they are not the badges of nationalism.

“And so, the Scottish Government’s ‘nationalist conversation’ is not the one that matters. What matters, the real debate, the real challenge is taking devolution forward. Independence is a minority aspiration. We, the Scottish Conservatives, represent the majority aspiration.

“And it is precisely because of this that the Conservatives acknowledge that after 8 years of devolution it is appropriate to look at where the process has currently got to and to support debate about where it goes. That was our manifesto commitment in May of this year. The Liberal Democrats considered such review timely and I commend the Labour party for now recognising the merit in and need for such a review. And this tripartite agreement is very significant.

“Strengthening devolution and continuing to secure the position of Scotland within the United Kingdom is not just an honourable but a highly important commitment. And that is a commitment which is bigger than any one political party. This issue dwarfs party politics, we are talking about shaping the constitutional direction of travel of our nation for the future.  Not just because that is the sensible and pragmatic thing to do 8 years on but because it overwhelmingly reflects what Scotland wants to happen.

“And today’s debate is to give Scottish parliamentary breath to that overwhelming public aspiration. I wish to thank Jack McConnell for his initial support of the process and my counterparts Wendy Alexander and Nicol Stephen for the constructive discussions which have brought us to the stage of agreeing the need for an independently chaired Commission to review devolution in Scotland, for agreeing that the remit of that Commission should be to review the provisions of the Scotland Act 1998 in the light of experience and to recommend any changes to the present constitutional arrangements that would enable the Scottish Parliament to better serve the people of Scotland, that would improve the financial accountability of the Scottish Parliament and that would continue to secure the position of Scotland within the United Kingdom.  This debate and tonight’s vote represent  very significant political progress for Scotland.

“It is not for any of us to pre-judge the outcome of this Commission or any of its recommendations. When the day comes the Conservatives will give serious and careful consideration to these outcomes before making a judgement on what best serves the interests of Scotland and what will continue to secure our position within the United Kingdom.

“I said earlier that this is the start of Devolution Phase 2 and the next stage will involve our colleagues at Westminster as we take forward this Devolution Commission. This is not a day for specifics, who is on the Commission, its timescale for reporting and how it conducts its business these are all matters to be addressed as we go forward.

“Today is about a new watershed in Scottish politics as we embrace the political reality of 2007 and the overwhelming majority desire of people in Scotland to take devolution forward.

“Tonight, we cast a historic vote. Tomorrow we take forward a secure future for our country.

“I support the motion.”