FREE EDUCATION and a diktat on how and when the armed forces are deployed could be enshrined in an independent Scotland’s constitution, under plans outlined by First Minister Alex Salmond.
In a speech made 306 years after Scotland’s old parliament voted to ratify the Treaty of Union, Mr Salmond said Scotland would move away from the “outdated and profoundly undemocratic Westminster system” if the 2014 referendum ended in a yes vote.
He said a written constitution would be in place by 2016 in the event of independence and that the document would be contributed to by “all parties and citizens of Scotland”, not just the Scottish Government.
The First Minister said the right to free, universal education, the right to a house for people who are made involuntarily homeless, a ban on the possession of nuclear weapons and how Scottish troops are deployed could all be in the constitution.
He added: “I give these three examples, because the Scottish Government is just one part of the process.
“Other issues we might want to consider include the use of Scotland’s natural resources and the requirement to ensure that economic growth is sustainable and Scotland’s responsibilities as a member of the international community.”
Opposition parties rounded on the speech, claiming the Government should be tackling the issues set out in the speech now rather than talking about enshrining them in the event of a vote for independence.
Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson, Scottish Labour’s business manager Paul Martin and Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie all focused on the issue of college funding cuts.
Mr Martin said: “Rather than aspire to a written constitution, Alex Salmond should aspire to being straight with the people of Scotland.
“It will be hard for him, we know, but he should start by trying to be honest.”
Mr Rennie added: “Alex Salmond has full powers to sort this out right now.
“At this rate Alex Salmond appears to be on course to be the first defendant to be prosecuted in his own constitutional court.”
Ms Davidson said the First Minister’s “weakness on defence matters has been exposed.”
She added: “This is little more than political posturing from Alex Salmond.”
A Scottish Government spokeswoman said: “It will be for the Parliament of an independent Scotland to draft and agree a written constitution, bringing Scotland into line with most other modern democracies.
“All parties in that Parliament, along with civic society in Scotland, will be able to put forward ideas for what the constitution should contain.”
kiandrews@thecourier.co.uk