16 Jan 2007
Cabinet ministers will tonight commemorate the 300th anniversary of the Treaty of Union between England and Scotland in a special event celebrating the success of the Union, the wealth of its connections and the diversity of the United Kingdom.
Scottish Secretary Douglas Alexander and Leader of the Commons Jack Straw will underline the continued importance of the Union to an audience of MPs and peers as they unveil a commemorative £2 coin struck by the Royal Mint at a reception at Dover House, the headquarters of the Scotland Office in Westminster.
Douglas Alexander will emphasise the continued economic benefits of the Union to the UK. He will note that of the twenty-five articles in the original Treaty, fifteen related to economic matters and that this aspect of Union is one that endures today, with the Scottish economy a fundamental part of the strong wider UK economy, and nearly two-thirds of exports from Scotland being to the rest of the UK.
Douglas Alexander will say:
"The United Kingdom has brought prosperity to the nations which formed it. Today Scotland is benefiting from the economic stability of the UK, which has seen more Scots in jobs than at any time in our history.
"Our nations have grown closer over the last three hundred years with ties which are deepening still. Now half of Scots have family living south of the border and almost one in ten of the people living in Scotland were born in England.
"Our history proves that unity is strength and every person in every nation of the UK can be proud of the part they have played and are playing in building our country."
Jack Straw will argue that the unity of the United Kingdom is more relevant than ever in a global context, saying:
"Our re-invigorated Union continues to provide the constitutional framework for a vibrant Britain; a place where we can enjoy a shared set of fundamental values - our commitment to social justice, creativity, a strong civic society, tolerance and an outward looking approach to the world, while allowing the nations within the United Kingdom to devise local solutions for local problems."
Douglas Alexander will also announce a number of UK-wide events and projects to commemorate the tercentenary of the Union, to take place during 2007.
In June, the Secretary of State for Scotland and Virgin Trains will name a West Coast Mainline train, "Treaty of Union". The naming ceremony is expected to take place at either Glasgow Central or London Euston.
In September, the Secretary of State will join a panel of judges at a commemorative showcase debate to mark the Treaty of Union. The programme, to be organised by the English-Speaking Union with Government support, will consist of debates taking place in Edinburgh and London before a final debate in London in late September.
The final debate will bring together ten of the most outstanding young debaters from England & Wales and from Scotland, from the English-Speaking Union\\\'s national schools debating teams.
The Scotland Office is also working with The Prince of Wales Arts & Kids Foundation to encourage young children and their families from around the UK to get involved in commemorations, through an outreach arts project that will incorporate activities on the theme of "Tales of the United Kingdom".
Media Contact: Nathaniel Mumford - 0207 270 6875