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Independent Scotland in my lifetime, predicts Sir Sean

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Published Date: 25 February 2008
SIR Sean Connery predicted yesterday that Scotland would become an independent country within his lifetime.
The former James Bond actor, who now lives in the Bahamas, once said he would only consider returning to Scotland if the Union came to an end.

In a hint he might return to his native country, Sir Sean, 77, a staunch SNP supporter, said he believed Scotland was "within touching distance" of achieving independence.

He also praised Alex Salmond, the First Minister, and the work of the SNP government since it came to power in May last year.

"I've always been hopeful about Scotland's prospects," he said. "And I now believe more than ever that Scotland is within touching distance of achieving independence and equality."

He added that the first step towards that had been the winning of Scotland's parliament in 1997. The second was the election of an SNP government last year.

"I believe we have what it takes to take the third step, and I am convinced it will happen in my lifetime," he said.





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  • Last Updated: 24 February 2008 10:14 PM
  • Source: The Scotsman
  • Location: Edinburgh
  • Related Topics: Sean Connery
 
1

AJ Fife,

25/02/2008 00:38:34
When Mr Connery speaks the world listens, and you know what, he's gonna be proved right.

Nae doubt, wee wendy will get a River City heavyweight to pen a public reply!:D
2

The Daleks,

25/02/2008 00:41:42
Let's hope we get independence in time to make Sir Sean our first President.
3

Roberta Burns,

25/02/2008 01:27:37
If there's one thing that'll stop me voting SNP it's that toothless auld get.
4

GalacticCannibal,

Murrieta, CA....Bye Bye Bush -Cheney..u. evil lead 25/02/2008 04:06:38
Independent Scotland in my lifetime, predicts Sir Sean
___________________________________________

What a load of political clap trap oratory.
Don't u know that Connery abandoned Scotland (bailed out) and stayed out .
Made his fortune and now sees (he thinks) an opportunity to ride back as the Knight in not so shinning armor.

The Dude is a hypocrite.

If he cared a dam about his native country Scotland, he would lived there, and still make the films.. Like the great Australian actor Russell Crowe who lives in his native land.

Hypocrites like Connery make be vomit.

GC
5

Saul Tyre,

Germany 25/02/2008 06:12:32
I thought Russel Crowe was a Kiwi.
6

,

25/02/2008 06:22:04
Comment Removed By Administrator
Reason:
7

donald,

glasgow 25/02/2008 06:52:56
I thought the cannibal lived in the USA.

Sean wants to live in an Independent Scotland, not a North British backwater.
8

eddylongshanks,

25/02/2008 07:48:07
Why did he accshept the knighthood ?
9

OscarMacApfel,

Dumfries 25/02/2008 08:10:21
'Why did he accshept the knighthood ?'

It's another bauble presented to him after a long distinguished career, Legion d'honneur, Oscar, keys of Embra...besides Michael Caine got one.
10

Grahamski,

Falkirk 25/02/2008 08:11:04
The fact that Mr Connery doesn't see fit to live in his beloved homeland should tell you all you need to need to know about his particular brand of 'patriotism'. His contribution to Scottish 'freedom' seems to be a tattoo and some pennies for Mr Salmond and Co.
He is a second-rate actor and a third-rate politician. He is Scotland's answer to Ronald Reagan. Except Ronald only lifted his hand to bad guys...
11

Seannair,

Oban 25/02/2008 08:32:50
Why can't we say what a splendid fellow Speaker Mike Martin is under the article about him? Is this yet more evidence that there is a press campaign to undermine him.
Mike is a gebtle innocent soul unschooled in the realities of life and the idea that he would attempt to maximise his rake of the expenses bill is wholly unworthy. As for Mrs Martin's taxis; she has to get out for the messages and her man is on a subsistance level wage of £132k per annum and a tied house. Let's be reasonable about this. eh?
12

Mr. Lachie Todd,

Edinburgh 25/02/2008 08:41:56
Sir Sean Connery is being very optimistic in his forecast considering he is now 77 years of age!
13

Draco Was a Wimp,

Edinburgh 25/02/2008 08:44:45
Connery obviously harbours an ambition to become President of Scotland. Dream on Seanny boy. In the highly unlikely event we ever become another banana republic, there are many worthier Scots able to represent the country as head of state. We certainly don't need a wife-beating plastic Jock.
14

AJM,

25/02/2008 08:45:16
Sir Sean staying away because of the union is rubbish, if he loved the country he would be here. The fact is he loves the sunny warm weather and his American chums. So if Scotland ever got independence he would come back, congratulating and slapping Alex and making emotional actors addresses and leave the next day, making some excuse. A fair weather Nat.
15

Nikostratos,

25/02/2008 08:47:43
#17

Sunny Bahamas or soggy Scotland........you decide
16

Jennifer Tailya,

Friends call me Jenny 25/02/2008 08:51:16
See he has kept a sense of humour then. Either that or he expects to live a hell of a long time.
17

Jock 107,

25/02/2008 09:18:46
Some examples of his great acting skills

James Bond & Red October: "My name is Bond, Hamish Bond, and thish ish my shubmarine. Ping!"
The untouchables: "It'sh a braw bricht moonlight nicht the nicht, in Cork" (Oscar winner!)
Highlander: "There can be only one!"
18

P Rayner.,

London. 25/02/2008 10:05:49
I very much doubt that Scotish Independence needs that drunken half wit as its protaganist . He should stick to what he knows best , like Benny Hill , delivering the gold top .
19

Logie Almond,

25/02/2008 10:07:01
Will he pay taxes in an independent Scotland?
20

Covert Action,

25/02/2008 10:15:30
Has Connery ever paid tax?
I expect milk delivery and coffin polishing were cash in hand all those years ago, as perhaps were his wooden pre-Bond roles. He is thick and he should keep his mouth shut.
21

G,

dundee 25/02/2008 10:25:52
Well he was immortal in, at least, one of his films......there can be only one....
22

AJ Fife,

25/02/2008 10:40:33
Grushka,

Absolutely, and it shouldn't be Sir Sean, it should be King Sean!!

I think the main objection the Unionists have about Sean, is his Irish sounding name. The pro-Britain Scottish Calvinist establishment don't like it!
23

P Rayner.,

London . 25/02/2008 10:41:48
GRUSHKA . Look I tend to favour the Union , but if I favoured independence for Scotland I certainly would not look towards the likes of Connery to be its spokesmen . As a person or actor he has no gravitas and no amount of milk , alcohol or kilts will make it so . For many he looks and acts like a buffoon . A poor advert for Scotland .In anycase whether English , Scot or Irish how can you possibly be proud of being such ? You can have pride in country , but surely you can only have pride in yourself , your own achievements etc . I´ve met many so called pride in country patriots in whom I would place no trust .
24

truthsleuth,

25/02/2008 11:26:15
#5 GalacticCannibal

Bang On
the comments of some above simply indicate the shallowness of their thought process. Funny most of them seem SNP oriented.
25

AJ Fife,

25/02/2008 11:57:54
#28,

Gosh wiz that the time? Quarter past twelve. Jings nae wunner am a wee bit tired today!

Thanks Clearly Psychotic, what wid a dae withoot yer timely observations......

btw, read yer post again and tell me who is being bigotted.
26

AJ Fife,

25/02/2008 12:22:23
It is an observation and not a bigotted remark. I'm impressed you know what a Calvinist is....or did you use Wikipedia?
27

KampungHighlander,

Jakarta 25/02/2008 12:41:59
I think Sir Sean has been completely unhypocritical in his difficult decision to stay away from the land he so obviously loves. The thought of having to pay your taxes that pack of lowlife bottom feeders in Westminster is enough to make every Scottish patriot want to move to the Bahamas. Mind you the nice weather probably helps too.
28

KampungHighlander,

Jakarta 25/02/2008 12:48:36
Richard Burton was of similar ilk. Making the same difficult decision to stay away from his Beloved Wales rather than fund the Scum on the Thames at Westminster.
Unfortunately he paid dearly for his patriotic wish to have the Welsh flag on his coffin. 40% of his estate in IHT.
29

bill-alba,

Fife 25/02/2008 12:51:58
I recently moved back to scotland from london to ensure that I was envolved in the fight for independence, unfortunately before hand there was absolutely no chance of independence..grahamsi et all does that make me not scottish after all I didnt pay my taxes in scotland either..fyi..even when as I was a economic migrator I still supported the SNP I suppose I would take anyone who favours independence over any person who thought that I and my fellow scots were infact shallow, sectarian, hands out, getting massive subsidies from the tax paying english people that you britnats think we are. My thoughts are that if anyone is in favour of people running their own country they are more than welcome whether scots or any nationality.
Another thing I think it very appropriate that an actor lives where the work actually is..we in Scotland don't have the equivalent of Hollywood unless of course you count Westminster...
30

KampungHighlander,

Jakarta 25/02/2008 13:02:02
clearly psychotic, Why is it you Ranger supporting wankers, The Billy Boys, are so obsessed with Ireland. Maybe your just as Irish as your enemies. Still fighting the Battle of the Boyne. An independant Scotland will hopefully be free of such sectarian nonsense. We should give serious consideration to see what can be done to move Rangers and Celtic to Belfast.
31

Neil Waugh,

Old Strathcona 25/02/2008 13:38:50
Sean for president. I always thought the New Scotland was going to be a monarchy?
32

Martyk,

25/02/2008 13:47:37
So when Sean speaks the world listens does it? Some elderly former actor tax exile pronounces on constitutional issues in a minor region of Englands realm and you think the world gives a damn? Grow up.
33

Deadpan,

London 25/02/2008 14:09:56
I normally stay out of these unionist/nationalist brawls but the ludicrous comments questioning someone's Scottishness or political beliefs because they no longer live in Scotland are insulting to the millions of Scots who live overseas but keep close links to home.

Those of us who have lived and travelled abroad (I have also lived outside the UK) are perfectly placed to comment on different ways of running a country and have a rounded view on where Scotland should go.

I for one felt forced out due to the poor economic conditions that meant I was unable to secure full time employment in my chosen field. As soon as things improve I will return so my opinions are equally as valid as anyone living in Scotland.
34

Geoff,

sa 25/02/2008 14:21:55
Sir Sean Connery-great actor, one of my favourites and if yous have not seen him in "The Hill" do yourselves a favour and get a copy.Made in the late sixties-brilliant movie. As to his Scotland independent in my lifetime remark well unless he's planning on beating Metheusala's (sp?)record,then I wouldn't bank on it! There's life in the Union yet!
35

Geoff,

sa 25/02/2008 14:28:21
28 Clearly psychotic-you are clearly psychotic in your misreading of my friend AJ Fife-he is not known for his UnionistMonarchist sympathies!!
36

Geoff,

sa 25/02/2008 14:31:23
Sorry Clearly and AJ-I'm the psychotic one-misread your posts completely.
I'm going to stand in the corner.
37

Ard Righ,

The Rock Of Edinburgh 25/02/2008 14:43:14
Positivity is an independent thought.

Sean would make more of a media impact by moving back here and saying "right the matter of independence, how may I assist."

Independence rising.
38

KampungHighlander,

Jakarta 25/02/2008 15:01:48
#45 I cant say that I know AJ and from what I have seen of his posts they are generally fairly reasonable. I have however also had the misfortune to travel through Glasgow Central station on the Day of an Old firm match. The collective behavior of both Rangers fans and Celtic supporters was unbelievable. With calls of Catholic this and Prodi that. I have never seen such a miserable collection of subhuman garbage in my life. It is the only time in my life I have ever been ashamed of being Scottish. Your mutual rivalry based on some misguided sectarian beliefs is something that should be relegated to the history books. Its high time you Neaderthols joined the 21st century.
39

SC,

Dundee 25/02/2008 18:11:06
Sean should give up his Yookay passport and return as a NON-DOM. That way, he can avoid the taxation, especially as it would be to the Britnat government in London.

He can then fly off for his six months in the sun, as we would all do if we had the cash.
40

Alan Reid,

NZ 25/02/2008 19:33:50
Mr Connery pays tax in the UK, that was reported in the "Hootsman" ages ago.
22 Grushka, Spot on mate, the rest of you w@nkers, eat my shorts!
41

Alan Reid,

NZ 25/02/2008 19:39:11
48 clearly psychotic, Come on now pal, you know #47 has a point.
42

James,

Dundee 25/02/2008 20:52:06
#51 Agree totally.
Sectarianism is the scourge of Scotland.
Makes me ashamed to be Scottish sometimes.
I share SC's wish - in that I hope that Scotland will be free before I die, just so I can tell AM2 and the rest of the Brits - told you so!

43

OscarMacApfel,

Dumfries 25/02/2008 21:33:34
For every meh Connery movie and I include ZARDOZ in that category... there are films of immense quality like, The Hill, The Offence, A Fine Madness, The Man Who Would Be King, The Anderson Tapes, The Molly Maguires, Playing By Heart, Time Bandits, Five Days One Summer, A Good Man in Africa, The Name of the Rose and the prescient gem that is Wrong is Right.

Definitely the work of a talented actor.
44

AJ Fife,

25/02/2008 23:14:21
An Irish Nationalist???

I know it's easy to misread people on these boards, but Clearly takes the biscuit. But hey, you gotta love the guy, especially now we know he's a Nationalist!

He's in deep with the Rangers thing, that's for sure, but one day the penny will drop when he realises what his "mates" are actually singing about!
45

Ard Righ,

The Rock Of Edinburgh 25/02/2008 23:23:23
52
James,
Dundee 25/02/2008 20:52:06
You can thank the fake english king henry the 8th and william of orange for that one.
46

Scotindy,

Los Angeles 13/01/2009 05:18:56
Who in their right mind would want to pay taxes to the damned british. I had the choice also and will move back home in 2011,after INDEPENDENCE. The referendum in 2010 will ensure that SCOTLAND will be attending the Olympic Games in 2012 as an INDEPENDENT COUNTRY. On the other hand england will not be represented there, I think they will be part of something called gb, does that stand for Gordon Brown ???????

 

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