Scotland’s First Minister Alex Salmond will visit the Isle of Man this week to deliver the Chief Minister’s International Lecture.
He is due to deliver the lecture to an audience of nearly 200 invited guests in the Villa Marina tomorrow (Tuesday) evening.
His visit will also include a separate meeting with the Chief Minister Allan Bell as well as seeing something of the island’s economic and culture life.
Mr Bell said: ‘Mr Salmond is one of the most high profile politicians in the UK at the present time. With the referendum on Scottish independence now only a year away he is likely to have an even higher profile.’
Mr Bell said the future of Scotland, our nearest geographical neighbour with whom we have strong historical and cultural connections, would undoubtedly have some influence on our economy, particularly if it set its own tax rates under full independence or some form of alternative ‘Devo Max’ proposals - under which is would be handed full control of domestic affairs.
The Chief Minister said: ‘The Scottish government has been looking very closely at the island’s constitutional position with the UK and many would like to have a similar relationship, in particular the freedom to set their own tax rates, particularly corporate tax. That’s pretty much what Devo Max is.
‘If the referendum ends in a ‘no’ vote for Scottish independence, there is sure to be discussions about reviewing the relationship between Scotland and Westminster. Should it achieve full independence or deliver some form of Devo Max then clearly there could be more competitive relationship with the Isle of Man in future. We are watching developments with considerable interest.’