Lib Dems deliver blow to SNP's referendum plans

Published on Saturday 31 October 2009 18:47

THE Liberal Democrats last night rejected SNP plans for a referendum on independence next year, effectively killing off Nationalist hopes of their plans being passed by parliament.

At a private meeting in Dunfermline, the Lib Dems decided to oppose a referendum on the terms set by the SNP, which wants to hold a vote on the future of the country on St Andrew's Day, 2010.

Along with Labour and Conservative MSPs, the Lib Dem MSPs will vote against the SNP's referendum bill when it comes before parliament next year, leaving Alex Salmond well short of the majority he requires to get parliamentary authority for a vote.

The Lib Dem meeting yesterday was convened after members within the party said they believed a referendum on independence should take place. But the party emerged from a private session to declare there had been an "overwhelming" rejection for the SNP's referendum bill.

Liberal Democrat shadow Scotland secretary Alistair Carmichael said: "There was genuine and widespread anger at the rigged question put forward by the SNP. The Liberal Democrats are a party that will remain at the heart of the debate on Scotland's constitutional future, but on our terms."

SNP culture minister Mike Russell, who is piloting the referendum bill, said he would continue with his efforts:

"The fact is there have been umpteen U-turns by opposition parties on the referendum issue, and there will no doubt be umpteen more."

Opposition parties said that, faced with evidence it would fail, the SNP should now scrap the bill.

However, speaking to Scotland on Sunday, Labour's constitutional spokeswoman Pauline McNeill said her party could reconsider its opposition to a referendum once the recession is over.

And there were still some Liberal Democrats who said last night that there would be a debate about whether to include a referendum in the Lib Dems' election manifesto in 2011. George Lyon MEP said: "Alex Salmond's rigged referendum was overwhelmingly rejected by the party. But I look forward to having a referendum on fair and balanced terms."