Salmond: I will work with Unionists to get more powers

Published on Sunday 12 August 2007 00:48

ALEX Salmond today offers the prospect of an alliance with Unionists who want more powers for Holyrood.

In an article in this newspaper, he says that a separate Scotland remains his goal - but admits others will draw the line short of full independence.

The First Minister concedes that he will have to work with people who want to go "at least some way down the road" and says he will "respectfully listen" to their views.

A White Paper to be published by the SNP on Tuesday will lay out the case for a referendum on independence, probably in 2010, in which Scots will be asked whether or not they want to separate from the UK.

Salmond says that the White Paper will re-emphasise his government's commitment to independence, which he believes will improve Scotland's relationship with the rest of the UK, Europe and the wider world. He adds: "The belief of the Scottish government is that these relationships and interests would be far more beneficial and better served were Scotland to become an independent nation... but we will respectfully listen to the voices and views of other people who may wish to travel with us at least some way down the road."

Salmond's words can be seen as a sign he accepts that, with pro-independence parties holding only 50 of the Parliament's 129 seats, he stands little chance of winning support for an independence referendum.

Last night, opposition parties went on the attack, claiming his "obsession" with constitutional affairs was a distraction from the real issues facing the country.

Scottish Labour leader Jack McConnell said: "The SNP's push for independence is unwanted, and a waste of taxpayers' money. This follows an election where every aspect of the independence debate was given a full airing."

Secretary of State for Scotland Des Browne MP said: "It is time that the minority SNP administration stopped grandstanding about policies people in Scotland don't want and got on with the job of governing."

A spokesman for the Scottish Conservatives said: "There is a clear Unionist majority, both in the Parliament and in the country. It's time now to stop all talk of independence and focus on the bread and butter issues."

Nobody was available for comment from the Scottish Lib Dems.