Alex Salmond: Trending quotes

Alex Salmond trending quotes. Read the latest quotes in collection

Alex Salmond: 366 quotes2 likes

“The unionist parties are giving ground. The status quo is indefensible, confidence in the nation is rising, the case for consulting the people is unanswerable. That debate on our future is more than conceptual, or philosophical. It must also be about practical steps.”

St Andrew's Day (November 30, 2007)

“I am well aware that in theological and democratic terms I am, no more than "God's silly vassal"”

Scotland in the World Forum (February 4, 2008), Church of Scotland (May 25, 2009)

“A strong economy and strong culture go hand in hand.”

Sabhal Mòr Ostaig Lecture (December 19, 2007)

“In 21st century government - as with 21st century business - there is no excuse for a poor flow of information, for failing to be aware of what similar organisations are doing, for lagging behind the times in terms of innovation and best practice.”

Scotland and Northern Ireland (June 18, 2007)

“A Parliament's job is not just to legislate but to debate, to enquire and to understand.”

Strategic objectives of new Government (May 23, 2007)

“We must never forget that the NHS is a public service. It is a service used by the public and it is a service paid for by the public. … We must therefore never forget that is the duty of health boards - and of responsive government - to take full account of particular local views and circumstances.”

Principles and Priorities : Programme for Government (September 5, 2007)

“Through religious education, our young people also learn respect for and an understanding of other beliefs and how to make a positive difference to themselves and the world by putting their beliefs and values into action.”

Cardinal Winning Lecture (February 2, 2008)

“Scotland is not confused, nor are we a people ill at ease.”

Third Session of Parliament (June 30, 2007)

“Trust is a precious quality. An essential quality. Once lost it is not quick or easy to rebuild.”

Scotland in the World Forum (February 4, 2008), Church of Scotland (May 25, 2009)

“participation in the Crichton campus. It is now official - miracles happen in an SNP run Scotland!”

Principles and Priorities : Programme for Government (September 5, 2007)

“The real guardians of progress are not the politicians at Westminster, or even at Holyrood, but the energised activism of tens of thousands of people who I predict will refuse meekly to go back into the political shadows.”

“Am I miffed now? No! It's the best thing that could have happened. We were saved! We were saved!”

“We have strong economic relationships with the rest of the UK. With our EU partners. And with large and small nations across the world. And I would contend that the basis of that framework is not Scotland's relationship with the other nations of the UK - strong and enduring though that will be. Rather, the reality is that our fundamental economic role is as a member of the world's largest single market - the European Union. And it is this relationship which does most to shape the rules and the terms of our global commercial ties. Nonetheless it remains for many an article of faith that a positive future for Scotland's economy depends squarely on our continuing membership of the United Kingdom. … I for one was not convinced!”

Scotland in the World Forum (February 4, 2008)

“We must never forget that, at its core, the European Union is an expression of commonality - a desire for unity to prevent conflict and to encourage mutual benefit.”

Scottish Government's relationship with Europe (July 11, 2007)

“We have the political engine behind us. We have a public that is willing to listen to the arguments we are putting forward, and we will gain converts to those arguments. We believe people will come to the right conclusion. We trust them.”

“In Europe we see different visions of government in an interdependent world. Across the world we see a new order struggling to be born, one based on the rule of law and addressing the planetary imperatives of tackling mass poverty and global warming. These changes in governance are not to be feared but rather to be embraced. It is, after all, the essence of democracy that what has always been so, need not always be so.”

Third Session of Parliament (June 30, 2007)

“It is an act of dubious legality, but above all one of unpardonable folly. [The bombing] may make matters even worse for the very people it is meant to be helping…if we are to sanction intervention in Serbia then the policy must be capable of achieving two things. It must be capable of weakening Milosevic and helping Kosovo. A bombing campaign will do neither, indeed the chances are it will make both worse.”

Televised address (29 March 1999), quoted in BBC News, ' UK Politics Nato bombing 'unpardonable folly' http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/307225.stm' (29 March 1999).

“Government must always be about vision. Restoring belief in the power of democratically elected Government to effect change - something which remains one of the great challenges for any modern Government - is about focusing on the 'possible' rather than merely accepting the status quo.”

Principles and Priorities : Programme for Government (September 5, 2007)

“It's not to pretend you can do everything, but if people like you – in the sense of admiring or having respect for what you are trying to do – then they will understand the odd blemish. If people don't like you, and lack confidence in what you are trying to do, they won't forgive you anything.”

“When this assembly reconvened, the world's media descended - doubtless seeking signs of strife and discord. What struck me then and indeed strikes me today was the ability of members to understand and respect their differences - however fundamental - whilst committing to providing better government for the people of Northern Ireland.”

Scotland and Northern Ireland (June 18, 2007)