Fresh Embarrassment for NO Camp as More Claims Undermined by Their Own Chief Advisor

The anti-independence campaign has come under pressure to drop their fear tactics once and for all after further examples emerged of their arguments being dismissed by their own chief adviser.

The No campaign has previously faced embarrassment after it emerged that Professor Jim Gallagher had demolished their arguments by making clear that requirements for an independent Scotland to join Schengen or the Euro “can surely be avoided” and that any prospect of major powers being devolved in the event of a No vote was “fantastical”.

The anti-independence campaign faced fresh embarrassment after it emerged that Professor Gallagher has previously said “there is no doubt that these islands, particularly the island of Britain, are an optimum currency union.” He went on to add that “having one currency makes a lot of sense.”

And now, Professor Gallagher has undermined No campaign scaremongering over NATO membership for an independent Scotland, with a book he co-authored arguing that “as part of the UK, Scotland has played an important role in the NATO alliance. It seems likely that NATO would want an independent Scotland to remain a member, though the terms of membership would need negotiation.”

Commenting, SNP MSP Annabelle Ewing said:

“It is no surprise that the desperate scare stories the anti-independence campaign has indulged in are not being believed – but when it is your own chief adviser who has dismissed them it is hugely embarrassing.

“Did the No campaign forget to check what Professor Gallagher had said on these issues before they appointed him?

“There is no doubt that these comments are a major problem for the No campaign. It shows that the approach being taken by their Project Fear has zero credibility.

“With the polls showing that the No campaign is facing a public backlash to their deeply negative approach to the referendum, the time has long since come for them to drop their ludicrous scaremongering.

“As the contradictions and hollow claims pile up for the No campaign, it is clear that the only positive choice for Scotland is a Yes vote in September - giving the people of Scotland the tools we need to build the fairer, more prosperous country we all want to live in.”

EU Will be "Anxious to Embrace" an Independent Scotland

FORMER UN DEPUTY SECRETARY GENERAL SAYS EU SCAREMONGERING AS “MAKING A MOUNTAIN OUT OF A MOLEHILL”
The SNP today welcomed expert opinion that Scotland will be a welcome member of the European Union if we vote Yes in the referendum.

Lord Mark Malloch-Brown, who served as the Deputy Secretary General of the United Nations and was a Foreign Office Minister in the last UK Labour government - serving in government alongside the No campaign chair Alistair Darling - told the BBC the EU would be “anxious to embrace” an independent Scotland.

Lord Mark Malloch-Brown also told presenter Glenn Campbell that Scotland’s entry would be smooth and that the No campaign were “trying to make a mountain out of a molehill” on the process of independence.

Welcoming the comments, Annabelle Ewing MSP, a member of the Referendum Bill Committee, said:

“These sensible comments from a former UK Labour government minister completely back up the position of the Scottish Government that an independent Scotland will be 'welcomed to the top table in Brussels', as he himself puts it, 'with relative ease'.

“Mark Malloch-Brown served in government alongside Alistair Darling, so these comments are hugely embarrassing to the No campaign which he chairs.

“Lord Malloch-Brown's analysis that the No campaign is 'making a mountain out of a molehill for political reasons' on the process of independence demolishes their negative scaremongering.

“The EU is no stranger to dealing with new constitutional situations, and will adopt a common-sense approach - just as it has done in the past. The Irish Europe Minister - with Ireland currently holding the EU presidency - has already agreed with the Scottish Government that Scotland will negotiate its position as an independent EU member state from within, after a Yes vote in 2014 and before becoming independent in 2016.

“In reality the only threat to Scotland’s place in Europe is the dangerous moves by Westminster towards isolation from the EU and the single market of half-a-billion people. As Scotland looks to take our seat at the top table in Europe with independence, the Tory-led UK Government is fast scurrying towards the exit."

Moore "Totally Unsustainable" Position

UK FAILURE TO PLAN FOR INDEPENDENCE “WEAK" AND “PUZZLING"
Michael Moore’s position was branded “totally unsustainable" and “letting down Scotland" today as he admitted the UK Government was making no contingency plans for the rest of the UK in the event of a Yes vote on independence and would not approach the European Commission for a formal view.

Scottish Secretary Michael Moore came under attack from the House of Lords Economic Affairs Committee. Baroness Kingsmill branded his responses “weak", Lord Forsyth said the UK’s refusal to negotiate was “puzzling" and former Conservative Chancellor Lord Lawson said Mr Moore’s position was “totally unsustainable".

Commenting on the Secretary of State’s performance, Annabelle Ewing who sits on the Referendum Bill Committee said:

“Scotland is capable of becoming independent and the UK Government is simply sticking its head in the sand.

“The Scottish Government is clear that officials could be discussing the steps to be taken in the event of a Yes vote now, so that the rest of the UK is as prepared as Scotland.

“Politicians will debate the issue all the way to referendum day, but the UK’s refusal to consider a Yes vote is incredibly arrogant.

“It is time the UK Government paid attention and put in the work they should be doing. Instead of spending their time spreading smears about Scottish independence and trotting the globe talking Scotland down, they should be ensuring that the UK is prepared to follow through on the Edinburgh agreement and implement a positive decision by the people of Scotland."

Notes:

The following criticisms of Michael Moore’s position were made at the House of Lords Economic Affairs Committee today:

Lord Forsyth: “I find it puzzling you say you’re not prepared to engage but saying you want the committee to be fully informed.."

Baroness Kingsmill: “I’m astonished by your remarks that there will be no discussion."

Baroness Kingsmill: “I find that a very weak answer."

Lord Lawson: “May I suggest Secretary of State that your position is totally unsustainable. You are letting down very badly the people of Scotland. You said Scotland is capable of being an independent nation, I agree with you; it’s a very fine country. Your failure is on the consequences of independence."

Negativity of Anti-Independence Campaign Criticised

One of Scotland’s most successful entrepreneurs has criticised the negativity of the anti-independence campaign and said it has failed to outline how it will improve life for Scottish people if they vote No in 2014.

Jim McColl

In today's Herald, Clyde Bowers Capital chief executive Jim McColl said the No campaign had taken a "very negative stance" and it was "really bad the other parties are not coming out and saying 'if you vote No to independence, here is what we will do for Scotland to enhance its ability to grow its economy, create more jobs and improve the well-being of all its citizens".

SNP MSP Annabelle Ewing, member of the Scottish Parliament's Referendum (Scotland) Bill Committee, said:

"Jim McColl has hit the nail on the head – the anti-independence campaign is mired in negativity and there is no way out for them.

"They have learned nothing from their past mistakes. While they relied on the politics of negativity to peddle their message of gloom during last year's election, we worked hard to put a positive message to the people and returned with a landslide result.

"Just as it was then, they can not match our commitment to listen to or to motivate the people of our country.

"We will win the referendum because we have a vision of a better Scotland, and that is a message of hope, ambition and determination.

"The people of Scotland deserve so much better than the negativity of the anti-independence brigade.

"Mr McColl recognises that we need the full economic levers to deliver faster sustainable economic growth with opportunities for all of Scotland to flourish.

“The No campaign have yet to answer why they believe we are better with a Westminster government not directly elected by the people of this country rather than by a Scottish Parliament 100% elected by people in Scotland – and that is a question they will continue to fail to answer.”

Construction Giant Backs SNP Procurement Approach

The SNP Government’s strategy of infrastructure investment has been hailed by the Managing Director of leading construction firm Morrison Construction, who praised its more “sophisticated” approach to public sector procurement.

Edinburgh based firm Morrisons, who were founded in Tain, are leading the construction of the new Forth Crossing and identified this along with several other public sector projects as key drivers of the company performing above expectations.

Managing Director Ken Gillespie is quoted as saying “the Scottish Government identified very early in this recessionary period the benefits of infrastructure investment to the economy. Unlike central government, they got on and did it. We are seeing a pipeline of projects coming to market which will support economic recovery in Scotland.”

Mr Gillespie also hailed the sophisticated approach to procurement adopted by the Scottish Futures Trust and added that “construction feels that we have a stronger market in Scotland than we have elsewhere in the UK.”

Commenting, SNP MSP Annabelle Ewing said:

“Morrison Construction is a major player in Scotland’s construction sector so this praise from Ken Gillespie is a significant vote of confidence in the SNP’s approach to infrastructure.

“Mr Gillespie rightly points out that the Scottish Government has been determined to secure economic recovery through boosting infrastructure investment since the start of the recession, in contrast to Westminster’s failure in this regard.

“That need for further investment in infrastructure in Scotland has never been more pressing.

“Just as the Scottish Government has been right to prioritise spending in this area, it is right for the Tories to end their obstruction and invest now in shovel-ready projects that can rapidly get our economy moving again.

“Scotland cannot afford to remain in a situation where our economic recovery is being stubbornly choked off by a Tory chancellor who has staked his reputation on a failed strategy.

“Instead of leaving the decisions that affect Scotland’s budget to Westminster, we need the powers of an independent Scotland so that these decisions can be made by people 100% elected in Scotland, working solely for Scotland’s interests.”