To whom it concerns......
These are generally the views of myself. I have supported these views with information from the Scottish National Party and from the website of the European Union. I'd like to think that this would stimulate some thoughts on the European Union. I write this for three reasons: firstly, to hopefully discuss Scottish independence in a European context; secondly, because the European Parliament is of greater significance than most people realise; thirdly, because if Scotland is to be in the European Union, then Scotland must have the strongest voices to represent the electorate.

What is good about the European Union?.........
Its my view that continued European Union membership is necessary as it gives Scotland access to the markets of 15 European states and more will be joining soon. About half of Scotland's exports go to Europe. The European Union is kinder to small countries in terms of grant aid to rural places in Scotland, Ireland & Wales. The EU helps nurture 30 endangered languages. The European Parliament is needed to tackle Environmental issues which have to be addressed on a bigger scale and the EU can make sure all countries fulfil their environmental obligations - climate change and acid rain levels are two example of areas that a single country can do little to change but a single policy implemented by the Euro Parliament can gave an impact over it's large area. European Union regulations have made it easier to travel abroad. Harmonisation of legal matters between countries makes it easier to police football hooliganism. Incidentally, the European Union seeks to regulate big businesses and global traders in order to bring fair competition between companies to protect European workforces and to defend consumers. Europe is also behind moves to increase a working people's rights and reduce car exhaust emissions. Much of the work of the EU should be welcomed.

What is bad about the EU?.......
I am concerned by the single currency because in joining the single currency Scotland as a nation would be giving away our sovereign right to lever our own interest rates up and down and determine levels of VAT, etc. I.e. - important financial decisions must not be made in Frankfurt by appointees. It also bothers me that a lot of the decisions are taken by unelected people - only the Parliament itself is properly elected (the council of ministers & EU Commission appointed by governments and the people have no way to remove them) - it is these unelected European institutions that give the Euro Union a bad name for they are guilty of mis-spending money. These European appointees should become accountable to the electorate.

Independence inside or outside the European Union?......
There are examples of successful EU member states and non-EU member states. Norway and Switzerland are examples of small countries who are flourishing without being members of the European Union. On the other hand, Ireland has greatly improved since acheiving European Union membership. There is much good from being EU members but other nations have show that they can be successful entirely on their own.

A Strong Voice In Europe.....
Given that Scotland is currently in the EU, by virtue of the United Kingdom's membership, I think that Scotland ought to have a distinct voice to speak up for Scottish interests. The Scottish National Party Members of the European Parliament have a good record in speaking up in the European Parliament: Between 1994 and 1999 the holders of the SNP's two seats made 219 speeches between them and Labour's 6 Scottish Euro-MPs only managed 178 over the same period. The SNP are also in a position to stand up for Scotland in the future with sensible policies:

• SNP Euro-MPs work first and foremost on Scottish issues free from Westminster control.
• The Scottish nationalists seeks to bring democracy to the unelected European institutions.
• The SNP helps to win funding from Europe for disadvantaged areas in Scotland.
• The Scottish nationalists defend Scottish interests on: cultural heritage, fisheries, agricultural reform, environmental reform, the BSE crisis, genetically modified foods, and human rights.
• SNP members support equal treatment in the workplace with better employment rights for women and men.
• The SNP campaigns for human rights and more open democracy in all member states and in other countries.
• The SNP supports the EU campaign to ban tobacco advertising.
• The SNP are in favour of Europe-wide initiatives to combat drug trafficking.
• The SNP will campaign in Europe for the cancellation of ‘third world’ debt in order to end the cycle of poverty in the world’s poorest countries.

European Monetary Union.......
The issue of joining the European single currency is an important area of policy that remains to be addressed in the United Kingdom. In reality the "Euro" currency is an issue for Westminster to decide because the Labour Party has promised a referendum on the subject. We, in the UK, will all have our say on the European single currency in a referendum in due course.