Moray to have its say on draft constitution

A MORAY MSP is urging the people of Forres to have their say on Scotland’s constitution.

Richard Lochhead MSP wants local constituents to voice their input on a draft Bill which will set out how an independent Scotland will be governed.

The Scottish Independence Bill is now open for public consultation until October 20, and sets out immediate arrangements for independence, such as the role of government, human rights and the rule of law, and would form the interim written constitution. The fundamental principle underpinning the Bill is that the people are sovereign, rather than Parliament, as is the case in the UK.

“Currently we don’t have a written constitution,” said Mr Lochhead.

“The UK is the only country within the European Union or the Commonwealth that does not have a written constitution or a Constitution Act.

“The interim constitution proposes advancement towards nuclear disarmament, the strengthening of human rights protection, the safeguarding of the wellbeing of children and protection for the particular needs of local government and island communities.

“There are people across our region who believe, fundamentally, that we should have a written constitution protecting and underpinning the basic rights that our citizens have.”

A a draft interim constitution and respondant information form can be found at www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2014/06/7881

“In the Yes campaign we believe that the Scottish people should be sovereign, rather than our parliament,”added Mr Lochhead.

“We also believe that principle should be written into the basic building blocks of an independent Scotland, the constitution which will underpin what our country is like and how it protects and empowers its citizens.

“This is a very exciting time and I would encourage everyone to have their say on the Bill. It is an exciting and unique opportunity to shape our nation, celebrate and protect our values and commit ourselves to building a better country.”