News reports inform us that members of the Scottish Parliament have for the first time voted in favor of Scotland becoming independent. Here is a snippet from the Stornoway Gazette:

First Minister Alex Salmond hailed the vote, by 69 to 52, as a “milestone” in the country’s history. He also revealed that 15,000 people have backed a declaration stating it is “fundamentally better” if decisions about the country’s future are taken by the people of Scotland. The declaration is a key part of the Yes Scotland cross-party campaign for independence, which officially got under way just six days ago. At the time of its launch Mr Salmond declared that if one million voters put their names to it “then we shall win an independent Scotland”.

The declaration touted in the article is short and sweet:

“I believe that it is fundamentally better for us all, if decisions about Scotland’s future are taken by the people who care most about Scotland, that is, by the people of Scotland. Being independent means Scotland’s future will be in Scotland’s hands. There is no doubt that Scotland has great potential. We are blessed with talent, resources and creativity. We have the opportunity to make our nation a better place to live, for this and future generations. We can build a greener, fairer and more prosperous society that is stronger and more successful than it is today. I want a Scotland that speaks with her own voice and makes her own unique contribution to the world: a Scotland that stands alongside the other nations on these isles, as an independent nation.”

The Yes Scotland campaign webpage can be found here. The vote on independence is scheduled for 2014. This should be an interesting movement to watch. What a beautiful thing to see a people debate and then cast ballots on whether their country should remain subject to the jurisdiction of the Parliament at Westminster. Perhaps this movement will remind others around the globe that secession is a key component of the right to self-government. It need not be violent, though sometimes our overlords make conflict necessary, and has been unfortunately maligned in the United States and other large countries.