WIREDGOV

Scotland’s voice in Europe must be enhanced and enshrined in law as part of the additional powers for the Scottish Parliament, External Affairs Cabinet Secretary Fiona Hyslop said yesterday.

The Scottish Government’s proposals include a number of suggestions to further enhance Scotland’s place in the world including Scotland having guaranteed rights to engage directly with EU institutions and a statutory mechanism for Scotland to influence UK policy on broader European matters.

During her speech, Ms Hyslop also spoke about the Scottish Government’s willingness to work constructively within the EU and use the lessons of the Scottish referendum to help re-engage people in Scotland and across Europe.

Cabinet Secretary for External Affairs Ms Hyslop said:

“One of the central messages to emerge from the Scottish referendum was the extent to which ordinary citizens across Scotland - many of whom had never voted before - re-connected to the political process and participated – actively – in a national debate.

“This was a debate that was not only about individuals’ constitutional future, but more importantly, a wide-ranging discussion about the kind of society in which they wished to live and the policies they wished their government to deliver.

“Following the referendum, proposals for new powers will be developed by a Commission established by the UK Government and headed by Lord Smith of Kelvin. The important point here is that we are looking for powers for a purpose. We want to reflect Scottish views of the world with the aims of improving the lives of people in Scotland and contributing as a good global citizen.

“We are making the case that additional powers should include specific competence for Scotland to act directly in the European Union, and internationally, to improve Scotland’s sustainable economic performance, maintain the integrity of Scottish Government policy in its areas of responsibility and make a distinctive contribution to global challenges.

“Scotland’s relationship with the European Union is particularly important in this new debate. The EU exercises considerable influence over economic prosperity and social welfare – areas of policy that are either already the responsibility of the Scottish Parliament or expected to be transferred to Edinburgh through the Smith Commission process.

“Our strong belief is that Scotland should have guaranteed rights to engage directly with EU institutions and EU decision-making processes in these areas.

“Scotland remains an outward facing nation, keen to share our talents, goods and ideas with those around the world. This has not changed because of the result on 18 September. The job of the Scottish Government is now to ensure that the expectations of early and substantial change that were raised during the referendum campaign are met.

“This means transferring new powers and responsibilities to allow the Scottish Parliament and Government to tackle the challenges facing our nation.

“My government has very much welcomed the opportunity to put forward these proposals. However, it isn’t just politicians who are leading the way in creating a fairer, more prosperous Scotland with a stronger voice on the international stage.

“The level of engagement by the people of Scotland in the debate on our constitutional future was simply astounding. Before the referendum, 97 per cent of those eligible to vote in Scotland registered to make their voice heard on the day, turnout was 85 per cent and even now, we are beginning to see the referendum’s legacy beginning to play out.

“It is clear the debate in Scotland has re-energised our politics and, in doing so, challenged our politicians to respond to the expectations and aspirations of our citizens.

“Those of us who believe that the Europe Union is important – not in itself - but as an agent to deliver jobs, peace, prosperity and social progress need to take decisive action.

“As such, the Scottish Government’s focus in the EU will be to prioritise economic and social policies which reflect the fundamental aspirations and concerns of citizens’ right across Europe.

“The Scottish Government will therefore continue to protect and promote the benefits of our EU membership, and the wider protections of international law under the European Convention on Human Rights.

“We will seek to influence the UK government and EU institutions to advocate meaningful reform in those areas in which things can be done better in Europe, including growth and competitiveness, youth employment, workers’ rights, public health, climate change and energy security and free movement of persons.

“And we will continue to argue the case for extra powers for Scotland in the EU so that we have the leverage we need to protect Scotland’s interests, making our distinctive, pro-European voice heard loud and clear here in Brussels.

“Connecting people, politics and power has never been more important than it is now – not just for Scotland, but across Europe.”