John Niven Quotes

The Scottish desire for independence is, to some extent, a fabrication. They want to identify themselves as Scots but still to be part of a, to enjoy the subsidy they get from being part of the kingdom.

As Scots, we certainly want change today, but the change the Nationalists offer is not the change we want or need.

If you have a Tory government at Westminster that takes us out of Europe against our will, there may be people in Scotland who think, 'You know what, we might be better off independent.'

I feel incredibly passionate about Scotland not becoming an independent country.

Tory governments are bad for Scotland.

Scotland just isn't terribly Tory.

I firmly believe that Scotland's place is in the U.K., and I do not believe in powers for power's sake.

The English, as most of the Scots are, seem to be weary of the Union …. If we saw a possibility of getting free of the Union without a civil war, we would have some comfort, but that I’m afraid is impossible.

I'm pro-union and utterly hope that Scotland stays within the United Kingdom.

For months, people have been asking my views about the Scottish independence referendum, and I've been saying, 'It's not my country; I don't live here. Much as I love Scotland, I think it would be inappropriate to express a personal opinion regarding Scottish politics'.

People don't want to go back to the days, pre-referendum, when the Westminster establishment sidelined and ignored Scotland. They want Scotland's voice to be heard.

The weakness in traditional Scottish nationalism lay in its own inability to grasp that identity could not be the only factor in the march to independence.

Scotland is not a region of the U.K.; Scotland is a nation, and if we cannot protect our interests within a U.K. that is going to be changing fundamentally, then that right of Scotland to consider the options of independence has to be there.

First and foremost, Scotland is my home, and I do consider myself Scottish, but I also feel very British, and I hope that Scotland stays within the Union. I have a real concern about independence.

Independence is the only way Scotland can realise its full political and cultural potential in the 21st century.

No, I don't think I've ever really favoured English independence. My view is that if the Scots want to be independent then we should aim for the same thing.

People in Scotland want to have Scotland in the UK and the UK in the EU, and that's what the Liberal Democrats are arguing for.

We can have enhanced devolution - greater powers in Scotland - but within the strength, security and stability of the United Kingdom, and I think that's what most Scots want.

Like millions of Scots, I've agonised over whether to go for independence or remain with the Union.

The Tories seem unable to make any impact north of the border.

For me, everything is still possible and I am as determined as ever. I believe first that the project of a people does not die. It is the project of freedom for a people, it is a project of sovereignty. And since the nation exists, it has the right to its own state. I will work to advance it in that direction.

Just as a man would not cherish living in a body other than his own, so do nations not like to live under other nations, however noble and great the latter may be.

The unionists also for their part, want to minimise the potential for change, not only on the equality agenda but on the issues of sovereignty and ending the union.

The Iraqis have become invested in their nationhood.

Scotland needs comedy more than ever. With the independence debate, finally after 300 years, reaching room temperature.