Scottish independence: David Cameron should ‘level’ with Scots, Alex Salmond says
Alex Salmond speaks with David Cameron at St Andrews House. Picture: Getty
PRIME Minister David Cameron should “level” with Scots and answer key questions about what would happen if they rejected independence, Alex Salmond argued today.
The First Minister was speaking in St Andrews, Fife.
He asked for more detail 24 hours after Mr Cameron set out his defence of the UK in Edinburgh.
Mr Cameron, while urging voters to say “no” in the referendum in 2014, held out the prospect of enhanced devolution - but offered no details about what those powers could be.
Mr Salmond, who has already complained that Scots have been “fooled” by Conservatives before, said the UK Government could start by making changes to the current Scotland Bill, which aims to transfer some tax and financial responsibility to Holyrood.
The First Minister said: “It is possible, because times change, that David Cameron’s offer to Scotland is a genuine one.
“But at the very least it raises three major questions.
“If the offer is genuine, will the final version of the Scotland Bill contain provisions for further economic powers that have been asked for by the Scottish Parliament over these last nine months?
“Secondly, if the offer is genuine, why does the Scotland Bill contain proposals to transfer some powers back to Westminster?
“And thirdly, if the Prime Minister’s offer is genuine, will he set out the full proposals by the end of the Scottish Government’s referendum consultation in May, so the Scottish Government - and far more importantly, the Scottish people - can develop an informed view about what might be on offer?”
Mr Salmond, addressing the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities conference, said he accepts he must set out the “detailed prospectus” for independence.
But he added: “The Prime Minister can’t get away with anything less. It’s time to level with the people of Scotland.”
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Comments
There are 129 comments to this article
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Danielrober2
Saturday, February 18, 2012 at 11:51 PMAlec.S current choice of putting pressure on others is nothing more than a feeble attempt to distract from what he has not done. In a EU with many professional and hard working leaders this kind of lacks behaviour just will not cut it. If the plan is delivered now it will be late, it must not be too late. Lets have a plan published after 5 years of work regarding what separation means with data, information, methodology and conclusion in a very simple and straight forward 1000 page booklet. It been five years, the SNP government must have these basic details.
Danielrober2
Saturday, February 18, 2012 at 11:45 PMAlec.S current choice of putting pressure on others is nothing more than a feeble attempt to distract from what he has not done. In a EU with many professional and hard working leaders this kind of lacks behaviour just will not cut it. If the plan is delivered now it will be late, it must not be too late. Lets have a plan published after 5 years of work regarding what separation means with data, information, methodology and conclusion in a very simple and straight forward 1000 page booklet. It been five years, the SNP government must have these basic details.
Danielrober2
Saturday, February 18, 2012 at 11:43 PMPending Moderation
Danielrober2
Saturday, February 18, 2012 at 11:38 PMPending Moderation
Vote 'NO'
Saturday, February 18, 2012 at 11:35 PMLet's start at the beginning - when will Salmond level with us?
Anagach
Saturday, February 18, 2012 at 09:16 PM121 peter58 Good afternoon cyberchimps.... ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ah the sound of Unionist debate. As for spelling out the future thats what its all about, the crys from the Unionist camp that the SNP should spell out every possible choice on economics, defense and international relations should also be matched by Mr Cameron spelling out the future in the Union. Sauce for the Goose...
Jack Elliot
Saturday, February 18, 2012 at 06:12 PMMr Salmond as leader of the SNP , HAS HAD ONE GOAL IN LIFE ,, Scottish Independece,, Now as a Scot , Iam all for Scotland having a fair crack of the whip , this seems to be happening , but I still want the rest of the UK to benefit , from any economic growth , ,as an ex soldier defence should be a UK matter , also a strong voice in Europe , and the World , also there seems to be a very anti British feeling creeping into Mr Salmonds politics , David Cameron is no match for Mr Salmond , and my fear is that if the Scots Vote for Independece , there will be no winners ,, I think the best way without a referendum, is to have more devolved powers to Scotland ,, but I have a feeling this will not happen , we are linked so much as a Nation but the SNP feel they must go through the motions of a referendum to save face , As a proud Scot , Iam also proud to be British , my heritage comes from all corners of the UK , but I fear under the SNP this will not be allowed to happen ,
peter58
Saturday, February 18, 2012 at 03:21 PMExcellent programme on Radio 4 this morning on the "Beyond Westminster" programme...anyone catch it or were you all tuned in to Stuart and Tam?
peter58
Saturday, February 18, 2012 at 03:19 PMGood afternoon cyberchimps....have you all gathered behind the notion that Cameron needs to set out every dot and comma of his own version of devolite before you need utter another word on your own views as to why a second question is required? Convenient.
frank mcbride
Saturday, February 18, 2012 at 02:14 PM26The one that got away Friday, February 17, 2012 at 06:24 PM 22 ................"Psychological What ignoramus to believe the fat boy's spin! Cameron did not suggest any devo solution but said that Scots should determine first whether they want independence or not. If they vote NO, then there is a scope for more devoved power, but only after determining whether they want idependence or not. The fat boy is trying to pull cmaeron like a school bulley in making him to say now what bthese powers will be, before even determining whether Scots want to stay or Go."..................................Using this logic, it is not necessary for either side to set out its vision for the future governance of Scotland....................Is that what you really believe?...........................Or, are you simply simple-minded?.............................If, however, you wish the SNP to set out its stall, where is the "bullying" in asing Westminster to set out its stall. After all, ALL of the Unionist Parties are against Independence and wish to find a solution that keeps Scotland in the Union...........................Are they incapable of agreeing a united position with regards to the future governance of Scotland with the UK?...............................The question of Scotland's future governance within the UK can easily be constitutionally achieved by agreement between the Unionist Parties as we have the precedent of the Scotland, Wales and NI Acts which have been passed by Westminster........................So where do you find this idea that the FM is trying to "bully" anyone?
frank mcbride
Saturday, February 18, 2012 at 01:57 PM50grahamski Friday, February 17, 2012 at 08:30 PM........................" The guy who won't even tell us what date he wants the referendum held on is demanding details. What a chancer.............."...........Grahamski, you never cease to amaze...........................................You berate the FM, but strangely fail to see the irony.......................Why, Grahamski, is Mr. Cameron now demanding that the Referendum should be held expeditiously when he and all his fellow-travellers were so adamantly against any Referendum whatsoever?.................Why, Grahamski, is Mr. Cameron demanding that the the SG should hold a Referendum which Westminster says will be illegal?.................................What's your take on Mr. Cameron's new "Declaration of Perth"?..........................Is your Party about to make its own "Declaration of Perth" in support of the Union?.............................OR, is your Party setting up someone like Ian Davidson to introduce a 40% Rule which allows dead people to vote NO?
New Unionism
Saturday, February 18, 2012 at 10:23 AMYES we cannnnnnnnnnn
New Unionism
Saturday, February 18, 2012 at 10:19 AMYou wake up in your present country to the second worst distribution of wealth on the planet, your govt corrupt, your politicians stealing from the public purse asthey start illegal wars killing upto a million innocent people and ask yourself, can this be changed? YES it can and YES we can
New Unionism
Saturday, February 18, 2012 at 10:16 AMI've noticed Lamont has been losing some hair like Kim Jong Un right enough but her hair has stayed the same surely! Thats no changed in 30 years! Although word is she has been experimenting with 'designs' down below.
Jolly
Saturday, February 18, 2012 at 10:15 AM113 You are right and I think there is a raincoat in his wardrobe to match 'the look'.
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