The Sunday Times has launched a debate on the political future of Scotland, which we want Times Online readers to join in. Below, the Scottish leader makes the case for freeing Scotland to make its own mark in the world.

Scotland has an unrivalled opportunity to succeed by gaining the powers and responsibilities that can only come with independence and equality in the modern world.

The reality of the 21st century is that the processes of independence and interdependence are one and the same. As our world becomes ever more interconnected in terms of trade, international relations, the environment and security, the case for nations having a voice at a global level becomes ever more compelling.

It is a progressive process that has been under way for more than half a century. In 1945, the new United Nations was established with just 51 member countries. There are now nearly 200, including more than 30 new members since 1990. It is by becoming independent that nations can maximise their influence in our interdependent world.

For Scotland, independence would give us a voice and votes in the European Union, where we have many vital interests at stake, and also enable us to act on our instincts for internationalism, emulating the success of other small countries, such as Ireland and the Scandinavian nations.

In opposing independence, the unionist parties demonstrate a poverty of vision for Scotland, forever relegating Scotland to a parochial role as part of an unequal Union.

When the prime minister says there are global issues that are shared matters of interest, I agree wholeheartedly. But I also believe that Scotland, as an independent country, can and should participate in the global solutions to these challenges. Indeed, I believe that to engage in such a way is our international responsibility.

On many issues, such as tackling climate change, developing renewable technology, or ridding our planet of weapons of mass destruction, it is very clear that the Scottish contribution would be more progressive than the response of governments in London, past and present.

When Gordon Brown implies that issues such as avian flu or foot and mouth are capable of only a British solution, the subtext is that he wants to take powers back from Scotland to London as part of the constitutional commission, or review, or working party - a scheme over which Downing Street has clearly asserted total control.

In reality, there is not a farmer in Scotland, nor anyone interested in the rural economy, who would want control of any future foot and mouth epidemic to be vested with Defra, the department blamed for the release of this destructive disease into the farming community and which then, under Treasury diktat, refused to accept the financial responsibility.

The lack of any credible example to justify reversing powers back to Westminster betrays the weakness of the case in opposing the process of more responsibilities coming to Scotland.

Surveys indicate that most people believe the SNP Scottish government is doing a good job. Many of our landmark policies took effect this month - including the restoration of free education, with abolition of the graduate endowment, the start of the phased scrapping of prescription charges, the council tax freeze, and the roll-out of the Small Business Bonus Scheme to promote enterprise and jobs.

Poll evidence also supports the case that as the SNP demonstrates how Scotland can be governed well in the devolved areas, so we will build the case for Scotland to be governed equally well in all areas.

This week, a poll showed a 10-point surge in support for independence since last summer to 41%. Similarly, the negative attitude being shown to the Scottish government and Scotland by the UK Labour government is getting a strong reaction in Scotland.

Westminster's unreasonable behaviour now encompasses threatening to withhold council tax benefit, trying to block local income tax, refusing to apply Barnett consequentials properly to prison spending and Olympic regeneration funding in London, and demanding payment from Tayside and Fife constabularies for security at the G8 and St Andrews summits.

The more that Westminster tries to lay down the law north of the border in clearly devolved areas, the greater the support there will be for independence and equality for Scotland. Bullies always get their comeuppance, and the reaction to this behaviour from London will be no different.

Whoever is running London Labour's campaign of aggression against the Scottish government, one thing is clear - it isn't anyone based in Scotland, or with a scintilla of understanding of Scotland.

Ten years on from the height of new Labour's power under Tony Blair, this latest campaign is a sad effort at control freakery. Unfortunately for them, it is all freakery and no control.

The new Labour project in Scotland is in its death throes. With a dithering leadership in London and an incoherent approach in Scotland, Labour is trying and failing to exert the iron grip it once had and took for granted - and it is totally uncomprehending of the loss of power and the new political reality it finds itself in.

New Labour is making a loud noise in Scotland only because it is an empty drum.

The positive and forward-looking agenda for Scotland is about people being in charge of their destiny, with the right to choose the nation's future. The SNP's referendum policy reflects and promotes the new politics.

The Scottish government's first choice is to have a simple for-or-against referendum on independence through a bill introduced in the Scots parliament, but we are perfectly willing to include the option of enhanced devolution on a ballot paper if the London-based parties can agree on a specific scheme.

Labour members will struggle to explain their opposition to allowing the people to choose their own future in a multi-option referendum - even one which includes their own preferred option.

In 1992, it was Gordon Brown himself who demanded that all organisations support a “persistent, determined and concerted” campaign to force the then Tory government to accept a multi-option referendum on Scotland's future. He was joined in that clarion call by the late Donald Dewar and John Smith.

In my view, the right of self-determination and enabling Scots to exercise their sovereign will in a referendum is not something that applies just in times of Tory governments at Westminster, but at all times. And that is a concept that has overwhelming support among people of all political parties and none.

Independence also means the maintenance of the social union between Scotland and England, and the other nations of these islands, based on a 21st-century relationship of equality.

The SNP's commitment to the Queen remaining as our shared head of state - just as she is head of state of 15 other Commonwealth countries - symbolises that social union between our nations.

It is a progressive vision for a modern Scotland - a nation that governs itself wisely and fairly, and is also a good citizen of the world.

Now have your say in our online debate

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