Alex Salmond: Nation

Alex Salmond is Scottish National Party politician and former First Minister of Scotland. Explore interesting quotes on nation.
Alex Salmond: 366   quotes 2   likes

“A nation which is ignorant of its history cannot properly make choices about its future.”

Alex Salmond

St Andrew's Day (November 30, 2007)

History , Future

“The Church has long recognised Scotland as a filia specialis, or 'special daughter'. And in turn Scotland has much to be grateful for. It is no exaggeration to say that the nation of Scotland owes its identity and its survival to the recognition and support of the Catholic Church.”

Alex Salmond

Cardinal Winning Lecture (February 2, 2008)

Support , Daughters

“I would say that Scotland is all about communication. This is a nation that loves to express itself, to retell old stories and share new ideas, to pass on information, to hear what's happening. We communicate passionately with each other as friends, as citizens, as family. It's a very deep human need and we feel it particularly strongly in Scotland”

Alex Salmond

Broadcasting Speech (August 8, 2007)
Context: They say the art of government - rather than the substance - is all about communication, but as far as this country is concerned I would go even further than that. I would say that Scotland is all about communication. This is a nation that loves to express itself, to retell old stories and share new ideas, to pass on information, to hear what's happening. We communicate passionately with each other as friends, as citizens, as family. It's a very deep human need and we feel it particularly strongly in Scotland... It's perhaps not surprising that we couldn't wait for somebody else to invent the telephone or television.

Love , Family , Feeling , Communication

“Our progressive nationalism goes hand-in-hand with a commitment to internationalism.”

Alex Salmond

'Nationalist and Internationalist', Fortnight, No. 291 (Jan., 1991), pp. 16-17.
Context: Membership of a supranational economic trading organisation like the EC is the antithesis of 'separation', the meaningless insult directed at the SNP by unionist parties. Membership involves obligations which cede national sovereignty for mutual benefit. Co-operation with our European partners in the functional areas--economic, trading, technical and social policies--offers an independent Scotland the chance to play a reforming part in creating a Europe of equal nations. The EC is by no means perfect and the idea of a centralised European super-state is anathema. Our view of Europe is confederal--each state proud of its national identity but willing to work and co-operate in a powerful partnership... Every member of the SNP signs a commitment to internationalism when they receive their membership card. Our progressive nationalism goes hand-in-hand with a commitment to internationalism.

“One of my central missions in politics is to encourage the people of Scotland to share a restored belief in themselves. A sense of the possible. A sense of ambition. A restless eye for national advancement.”

Alex Salmond

St Andrew's Day (November 30, 2007)

People , Sense

“Scotland is a nation that has always combined many layers of identity, from the local to the global. Scottishness has always meant far more than a simple identity with nation. It is founded on cosmopolitanism, on decency, on humanity - on advancing ideas and common interests. This is the basis on which we consider our relationship with and our position in Europe. And this is why Scotland is at ease as we consider our future within the European Union.”

Alex Salmond

Vision for Scotland in the European Union (December 12, 2007)

Idea , Future

“If we are to compete as a nation in the global economy, we need to upskill Scotland. That means more Scots in the workforce with higher vocational skills - and it means many more with graduate skills too.”

Alex Salmond

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

“I respect the view of every Scot and every person living in Scotland. And I do so with a clear sense of my own responsibility to lead change and to argue for what I believe is in the Scottish national interest.”

Alex Salmond

St Andrew's Day (November 30, 2007)

Sense , Change , Personality

“As we look to secure our ambitions for this nation's future, we must recognise that a vibrant Gaelic language and culture are central to what it means to be Scottish in the modern world.”

Alex Salmond

Sabhal Mòr Ostaig Lecture (December 19, 2007)

World , Future

“Is the time for Scotland to assume our obligations and responsibilities to help mould the world around us. This must be an era of renewed Scottish internationalism - both as a tribute to the past and a statement of who we are today. It is not just that we are a nation interested in Europe, but rather that it is fundamentally in our national interest that we understand what it is to be European.”

Alex Salmond

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

World , Understanding , Time , Past

“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.”

Alex Salmond

St Andrew's Day (November 30, 2007)

People , Confidence , Future

“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!”

Alex Salmond

Scotland in the World Forum (February 4, 2008)

World , Faith , Reality , Strong

“Modern Scotland is about continuing that traditional welcome for those of all faiths or none, of including those from every part of the world and of every belief in our social mix. That diversity is our strength. That ability to welcome and to accommodate those from other nations and to develop an elastic sense of what it is to be 'Scottish' makes us bigger and better as a nation.”

Alex Salmond

St Andrew's Day (November 30, 2007)

World , Faith , Sense , Parting

“We Scots are proud Europeans. By history Scotland is - and by our ambition Scotland will remain - a European nation, a full member of the European Union. This is the starting point of our engagement with Europe. We will always play our full part and work to advance common European interests.”

Alex Salmond

Vision for Scotland in the European Union (December 12, 2007)

History , Parting

“People naturally aspire to the symbols and the ideals of our nation. Yet whether it is a political party, a church, a charity - any institution built by man can fail and can fall. The key thing is to aspire to be better. And, for our political institutions, to understand that self sacrifice - just like forgiveness - is at the centre of the order of things.”

Alex Salmond

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

People , Forgiveness , Understanding , Nature

“All that this country can achieve depends on developing our nation as a high growth, vibrant economy. In the modern global economy, even the greatest political ambition is doomed to failure without an economy driving employment, investment, research and development and rewarding success.”

Alex Salmond

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

Failure , Success , Dependency , Country

“Make no mistake - Scotland has already changed. And Scotland is continuing to grow and develop as a nation and a society. Last May, the people of Scotland sent out a clear message. They did not just vote for a change of government. They voted for a change in governance. A stronger, more effective, more democratic Scotland. And they expressed their hunger for a higher level of ambition - in our government and in ourselves. In the country we seek to build. And in our image and standing abroad. These are profound and permanent changes.”

Alex Salmond

Scotland in the World Forum (February 4, 2008)

Hunger , People , Change , Country

“In Scotland you were allowed to starve but had to learn to read and write. Whereas in England the poor house provided an alternative to starvation, but education was only for the privileged few. This country has been a learning nation - first, last and always.”

Alex Salmond

Cardinal Winning Lecture (February 2, 2008)

Education , Learning , Reading , Housing

“A study only last year by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation showed that young people from white families placed less importance on their Scottishness than young people from Indian, Pakistani and Chinese families. These new and newer Scots see much more clearly and appreciate the values and qualities that make this nation great. And it is right that, as we consider the future of Scotland, as a people we also look at ourselves afresh and take pride in who we are.”

Alex Salmond

St Andrew's Day (November 30, 2007)

People , Family , Study , Future

“In the European Union of today, the obligation to provide international leadership rests on all nations - large and small.”

Alex Salmond

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