Anonymous
22-Jun-03, 13:37
Taken from the BBC News webpage, Do you think that the celebration of Bannockburn is a bit archaic?
The Scottish National Party will not give up the fight for independence, leader John Swinney has told a rally.
The party stages a march each year to mark the Scottish victory over the English at the battle of Bannockburn in 1314 .
Mr Swinney told those who gathered for the event on Saturday that the roots of the national movement and the fight for independence stretched back to even before the time of Bannockburn.
"That history and those traditions are steeped in a common value - that the people of Scotland have the right to decide their own affairs and determine their own future," he said.
"And that principle is as valid today as it was 689 years ago when men lost their lives on this battlefield."
Best deal
He said the SNP's values were as relevant now as when the party was founded almost 70 years ago.
"At every election we fight for independence and at every level of government the SNP represents and fights for the best deal for the people of Scotland," he said.
"These are fights we will continue and not give up.
"We will secure independence for our nation and make Scotland the best place it can be."
Lose seats
There has been some criticism from within the party of the strategy pursued at this year's Scottish Parliament elections.
A disappointing showing saw the Nationalists lose eight seats as the party's share of the vote fell.
Voters were promised a referendum on independence - but critics suggested that an SNP electoral victory should be a sufficient mandate for independence.
Mr Swinney defended the strategy earlier this month, and has also rejected suggestions that the party should rethink its independence policy.
The Scottish National Party will not give up the fight for independence, leader John Swinney has told a rally.
The party stages a march each year to mark the Scottish victory over the English at the battle of Bannockburn in 1314 .
Mr Swinney told those who gathered for the event on Saturday that the roots of the national movement and the fight for independence stretched back to even before the time of Bannockburn.
"That history and those traditions are steeped in a common value - that the people of Scotland have the right to decide their own affairs and determine their own future," he said.
"And that principle is as valid today as it was 689 years ago when men lost their lives on this battlefield."
Best deal
He said the SNP's values were as relevant now as when the party was founded almost 70 years ago.
"At every election we fight for independence and at every level of government the SNP represents and fights for the best deal for the people of Scotland," he said.
"These are fights we will continue and not give up.
"We will secure independence for our nation and make Scotland the best place it can be."
Lose seats
There has been some criticism from within the party of the strategy pursued at this year's Scottish Parliament elections.
A disappointing showing saw the Nationalists lose eight seats as the party's share of the vote fell.
Voters were promised a referendum on independence - but critics suggested that an SNP electoral victory should be a sufficient mandate for independence.
Mr Swinney defended the strategy earlier this month, and has also rejected suggestions that the party should rethink its independence policy.