|
|
|
The unit of political organisation is now the world. And this global political system has a name: it is called Interdependence. It rests on a foundation of around 200 constitutionally sovereign states, members of the United Nations Organisation, the central institution of what is already an increasingly complex system of world government.
Scotland, as a natural and quite distinct geographical, social, economic, cultural and hence political entity, fits comfortably into the new world order.
The Scottish Democratic Alliance (SDA) is fully committed to Scotland's membership of the United Nations, which is rightly seen as the hallmark of an independent state. Scotland, as a developed and cultured member of the world community, will provide both moral and practical support for the ideals and ongoing work of the UN within the means of a nation of 5 million people, acting in concert with the other members of the global family.
The SDA is fully committed to Scotland's membership of the Commonwealth and thereby to continued support for the concept of a shared heritage and values on which Scotland has historically exerted a major influence.
The above will require the establishment of a Scottish Foreign Ministry and Diplomatic Service on the lines of those maintained by developed countries of a similiar size. The Scottish diplomatic representatives abroad must ensure that their country is adequately represented on a political, economic and cultural basis.
The SDA's comprehensive international policy is currently under development. |
|
The National Borders of Scotland |
 |
 |
 |
|
...Scotland's national borders comprise one terrestrial border with England and sea borders, two with England and several with other countries. The western sea border with England extends seaward from the Solway Firth. The eastern border extends into the North Sea from the mouth of the River Tweed.
The government of the United Kingdom has attempted to make unwarranted changes to the east end of the terrestrial border and to the entire North Sea border. The purpose of this paper is to expose these cynical "stealth" manoeuvres and to provide the Scottish people with additional information on Scotland's borders.
It is SDA policy that the mediaeval anachronism of foreign government of Scottish territory should be brought to an end with the restoration of Scottish administration of the Berwick enclave. |
|
The Scots have a long and proud military tradition. Since we live in an insecure world, the SDA advocates that we continue to contribute to United Nations (UN) and NATO peacekeeping operations, with every overseas deployment requiring approval by a free vote in the Scottish parliament. We would support the Scottish Defence Force necessary to achieve this contribution by using the skills and resources of Scottish industries and shipbuilders.
The Scottish Defence Force (SDF) the SDA envisages would be of a comparable capability to those employed by Scandinavian countries, which are similar to Scotland in respect of population, topography and sea areas.
The Naval and Coastguard vessels for the SDF can be built in Scotland, and the equipment for the army, air defence, naval and coastguard units of the SDF can all be serviced and maintained in Scotland, providing job opportunities and creating wealth within our local communities.
Scottish taxpayers' money used to buy in foreign equipment for the SDF should, wherever practical, be spent only through contracts which provide offset deals to create jobs in Scotland.
The SDF in an Independent Scotland, based at home in Scotland, will support many thousands of additional jobs.
Read our Security and Defence discussion paper below.
 |
|
"Scotland in Europe" is not an empty phrase. Scotland is in Europe whether we like it or not. That does not mean that we have to be a part of the undemocratic 27-member European Union (EU) representing just over half of the total number of european states.
Membership of the EU has been and continues to be an economic disaster for Scotland.
The SDA advocates membership of the 47-member Council of Europe (CoE), the 56-member UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), the 56-member Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO), which are far more representative of Europe as a whole than the EU.
The SDA also advocates Scottish membership of the 30-member European Economic Area (EEA) and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) in order to achieve all the economic and trading advantages of European cooperation while avoiding the worst of the EU's centralist mismanagement and inappropriate regulations.
The SDA emphasises its commitment to cooperation in Europe, and to the European ideals, but at the same time is determined that Scotland's rights and interests are going to be upheld in the process. |
|
|
|
|
|
