Secret Thatcher Files Highlight Reasons to Vote YES

Secret files that reveal the role Margaret Thatcher played in shutting down the Invergordon aluminium smelter at Christmas in 1981 highlight how Westminster made decisions and didn't care about the consequences for Scotland.

Tory cabinet minutes released today also showed that devolution was deemed "dormant" in Wales by the Thatcher government just three years after the lost 1979 referendum.

SNP MSP Kenneth Gibson said:

"These secret documents demonstrate the need to vote Yes in 2014 - leaving important decisions to be made in Westminster leaves Scotland at such a disadvantage.

"It is only with the powers of an independent Scotland that we will be able to ensure that Scotland is not damaged by the failings of a Tory Government that simply cannot be trusted.

"Just as it turned out that the real danger from all the scare stories ahead of the 1979 referendum was in fact Tory Governments at Westminster, the real danger to Scotland on many issues today comes from the same source.

"If Scotland's interests are to be looked after, then we need to ensure that decisions affecting this country are taken by those with the greatest stake in our future - the people of Scotland themselves. Only a Yes vote in 2014 will give us that opportunity and ensure that decisions are taken by a parliament 100% elected in Scotland."

Notes:

http://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/