Alexander's referendum demand could backfire warns McLeish

Published on Tuesday 6 May 2008 10:24

FORMER First Minister Henry McLeish today warned that Labour leader Wendy Alexander's calls for an early referendum could backfire.

He said the SNP could benefit from an inconclusive result and urged the need for caution and full public debate. There has never been a referendum on independence, and the mere fact of having a referendum would be "spectacular" on its own, said Mr McLeish.

"But if the results suggest a significant move towards independence, a poor vote for the Union options, whatever they are, then clearly this could make a situation much, much worse politically.

"If the name of the game is to try and shoot the fox by having an early referendum, the danger is it could backfire and we have a result which does not suit the unionist parties but will suit the SNP – because it will be the first recorded, proper vote on independence, which will only make their enthusiasm that much greater."

His warning came after Ms Alexander challenged SNP leader Alex Salmond to bring forward his own referendum bill, currently planned for 2010, saying: "I don't fear the verdict of the Scottish people – bring it on."

The SNP has said it has no plans to advance its timescale.