In the latest of our series, Elaine C Smith explains her attitude to Scottish independence and how she'll be voting.

Actress and comedian Elaine C Smith was born, and still lives, in Glasgow. She is part of the advisory board for the Yes Campaign.

Which way will you be voting in the referendum?

I will be voting Yes.

What are your reasons for this?

I believe that we need full independence over all our taxation and spending to realise the potential of the people living and working in Scotland. I believe we are rich in natural, economic, cultural and human resources and that they have never been developed fully or properly realised due to the limited powers we have over who we are as a country and where we want to go.

I am very happy that a progressive vision for Scotland is what is dominating the agenda now. The debate (even over process) is more grown-up than ever before. We're discussing grown-up stuff as opposed to the old scaremongering over border posts or the romantic tartan shortbread stuff.

Have you always been aligned with this view?

No. I was a member of the Labour party briefly and from a solid working class Labour family in Lanarkshire. I witnessed many of their regressive attitudes to women etc. as well as their own careerism so I sort of saw them eventually as the "reformist block to true Socialism," to quote from Ralph Milliband I think!

So I am more from a left-wing tradition and always held to in the Internationalist view about Solidarity with working people across the world. I still do believe in that but I now want it to be done form a Scottish perspective. I do not trust the British state to deliver for the needs of the poorest in this country or across the world. We can do it better. Smaller is better.

What changed your mind?

A strong belief that this country could and should be better. We all want that don't we? And a realisation that Westminster was never going to deliver that for the people who needed it most. The casual way that over 50 years many who loyally voted were discarded and ignored by those who promised to take care of them.

The betrayals by the Labour Party over things like the miners' strike in 1984 and a gradual realisation that Scotland would be sacrificed for the sake of the British Labour Party. They needed our MPs to get a majority and they didn't seem to care who they were or what they were doing for the people here as long as they had power.

I didn't vote for Tony Blair but preferred him to the Tories - then I discovered he was one! I was opposed to the Iraq war, the cosiness with big business and banks. I supported Devolution and campaigned for the 'Yes, Yes' side.

I dare say my present position and politics started out of anger, but over the last 20 years, and even more so since we had a Parliament and an SNP Government, they have been more about hope, equality, justice and delivering that for those who need it most.

Would you have a preferred a third choice, eg. Devo-max or devo-plus?

In my heart and soul I know that independence is what I want but I would take more powers if that's what was on offer. However, we found in questioning people for the Independence convention (I am Chair of the SIC and have been for several years) that those who said they didn't believe in independence actually did when they talked about the powers that they wanted and thought Scotland should have. The No side offers nothing to the people of Scotland but negativity and a lack of hope. No other powers, no change.

How do you define your identity?

Scottish.

What are your views on Scotland and the UK’s relationship with the EU?

I have many reservations about Europe and the corruption and self-interest therein, and believe that change and accountability have to come. But I see an independent Scotland being at the heart of those changes and contributing to making the EU more just and fair. We have no influence now as part of the UK. What London wants London gets on with and we are ignored and undervalued.

What are your views on free tertiary education, health care for the elderly and welfare?

I fully support all of these measures and applaud any government of any political persuasion who would fight to keep and maintain them. It says so much about a society and its people that they would want to ensure that its young people in particular have free access to higher and tertiary education, to have caring of its elderly as a major cost and priority and that those most vulnerable in society are helped to live a decent and dignified life through the welfare system.

Under the Tories and the coalition these principles and values are all under attack - they are not representing the views of the vast majority of the people of Scotland. Caring for people outside of our own front door and a sense of justice and fairness is a long-held tradition for so many here and that must continue and be built on.

It's not that these systems are perfect or without difficulty to fund and maintain. But Trident (or its big brother) or free care for the elderly is a no-brainer for most Scots - it's about the priorities of a decent society.



Did the Olympic Games or the Diamond Jubilee in 2012 have any bearing on your opinion?

People excelling and succeeding at anything form sport to art to music is a wonderful and uplifting thing and should be valued and celebrated. I was in the USA during the Olympics so didn't get the wall to wall stuff that went on here - though it was apparently great.

I watched the Opening ceremony and thought it was wonderful, though I did feel it was a celebration of what it was to be English, not British. But that was fine - I expect that in everything that comes out of London as it’s the dominant culture.

Everything from BAFTA to the British Comedy Awards should basically be retitled and have London as a prefix! When was the last time you saw anyone from Belfast or Cardiff or even Manchester get nominated for programmes or theatre that they produce? I love the city state that is London but we should be a bit more honest!

I was truly moved by the sculpture at the end with the bowls and flames- I thought it was stunning and represented everything wonderful about the human spirit.

I'm a Republican and couldn't give a toss about the Jubilee. I’m always stunned by the sycophancy and deference, so it passed me by.

What do you think of Alex Salmond’s plans for a written constitution?

Excellent idea!