'White Paper' – 670 pages of answers to 650 questions
'Independence is an opportunity for us to create a prosperous, wealthy and strong Scotland. The policy of Westminster (the UK government) damages the economy and drives our people into poverty,' said the deputy head of the regional government, nationalist party member Sturgeon, while presenting the 'white paper' at a special event in the Scottish city of Glasgow.
According to her, the economic and financial situation in Scotland is more stable than in other regions of the UK, while independence supporters would like the money from oil and gas extraction to remain within the new state.
Despite the fact that 20 thousand copies of the 'white paper' have already been printed, an additional print run has been ordered. The ideologists of the referendum want everyone to read the 'white paper'. Alex Salmond, the Minister for Scotland who participated in the ceremony, said that 'this epoch-making document contains answers to 650 questions that were asked of us'.
'Green card' – 'yes', nuclear submarines and pound sterling – 'no'
At the same time, officials essentially evaded answering the question of how the authorities of the new state would ensure border control in the complete absence of any border infrastructure between Scotland and England. They also did not answer the question about their attitude to possible migration and its impact on the economy of the new region.
'We will take Ireland's migration system as a basis. We want people to be able to apply their knowledge and skills here. We will introduce a green card system (permanent residence permits). Moreover, there are many students in Scotland, we will create conditions so that the best of them find work here,' said Sturgeon and Salmond.
After declaring independence, the Scottish nationalists also intend to abandon the circulation of the British pound sterling, demand that London withdraw military bases, in particular, the well-known base with Vanguard-class nuclear submarines carrying Trident ballistic missiles at Clyde, which is an element of NATO forces.
More than half of Scotland's residents oppose independence
The central government and, in particular, UK Prime Minister David Cameron refuse to discuss the referendum issues, calling it populism and an attempt to divert people's attention from real problems. Many ministers have stated that supporters of the referendum are overly optimistic about Scotland's ability to maintain a growing economy outside the pound sterling zone and without London's support.
Scots, unlike national politicians, are not so enthusiastic about possible independence – according to various polls, 55% to 65% of the region's residents say they would prefer to live in the UK rather than in an independent state.
Scotland, which has been in a legally established union with England since 1707, received limited autonomy under the devolution process in 1997. Since 1999, Scotland has had its own parliament and executive authority. However, their powers are limited mainly to issues of education, culture, health, transport, environmental protection and a number of other areas. Scotland also traditionally has its own judicial system.