Scottish independence referendum: Alex Salmond unveils referendum plans

Published on Thursday 26 January 2012 00:23

FIRST Minister Alex Salmond today unveiled his plans for a “straightforward” vote on independence which could see Scotland leave the United Kingdom.

Mr Salmond launched the Scottish Government’s consultation on a £10 million referendum at Holyrood.

He told MSPs the question that would be put to voters would be “short, straightforward and clear”.

The Scottish Government proposes asking Scots: “Do you agree that Scotland should be an independent country?”.

Mr Salmond said the period in the run-up to the independence vote would be the “most exciting in Scotland’s modern history”.

He stated: “At the end of that period, in autumn 2014, people the length and breadth of our country will have their say in Scotland’s independence referendum.

“Independence, in essence, is based on a simple idea: the people who care most about Scotland, that is the people who live, work and bring up their families in Scotland, should be the ones taking the decisions about our nation’s future.

“No-one else is going to do a better job of making Scotland a success. No-one else has the same stake in our future. The people of Scotland should be in charge.”

As well as the question on independence, Mr Salmond said the ballot could include the option of greatly-enhanced powers for Holyrood.

He argued if there was “wide support” for the so-called devo max option, it was “only fair and democratic” it be included.

“The Scottish Government’s position is for independence,” Mr Salmond said.

“Therefore, that option will appear on the ballot paper in a straightforward manner.”

However, he added: “If there is an alternative of maximum devolution which would command wide support in Scotland, then it is only fair and democratic that option should be among the choices open to the people of Scotland.

“We will not, as the UK Government seems to want, eliminate that choice simply because it might be popular.”

While UK elections are traditionally held on a Thursday, the consultation raises the possibility of having the referendum on a Saturday to help boost turnout.

The Scottish Government also proposes extending the vote to 16 and 17-year-olds.

The Scottish National Party (SNP) leader said: “It is right that our young people should have the chance to play their part in decisions about their community and their country.

“If a 16-year-old in Scotland can register to join the Army, get married and pay taxes, surely he or she should be able to have a say in this country’s constitutional future?”

The consultation proposes using elections watchdog the Electoral Commission to regulate the referendum.

But Labour claimed its role was being diluted by the SNP, with shadow Scottish secretary Margaret Curran stating: “At present, the Electoral Commission has to rule on the wording of the question on the ballot paper because it is a point of principle that it shouldn’t be for politicians alone to pick.

“Alex Salmond’s proposal to strip the Electoral Commission of its legal responsibility to rule on the question will fuel suspicion and is simply not acceptable.”

She added: “It is completely wrong to agree to a neutral referee but then stop it doing its most important job.

“Watering down the role of the watchdog is simply not democratic.”

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176

Goodbye London Labour

Thursday, January 26, 2012 at 10:05 AM

The lies of the unionist twins, the Labour British National Party and the Conservative British National Party, have been exposed and the people will not be fooled again. Remember how the unionists sabotaged the '79 referendum. Remember how the unionists lied about Scotland's oil wealth (McCrone Report). Labour and Tories standing shoulder to shoulder: the enemies of Scotland.

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175

Brit-free

Thursday, January 26, 2012 at 12:24 AM

Who is this Riddoch bog-trotter woman?...+++++++++++++++++++++..you are not Scots then ? .....actually , although i wasnt sure of her presence on the panel , given her usual schtikkkk as the " devils advocate " . her position vis a vis freedom being more than about economics was an inspiration to the undecided

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174

Brit-free

Thursday, January 26, 2012 at 12:13 AM

the Master Tactician has them spinning like peeries , i'm still waiting for a single quote justifying the seemingly widespread belief that the S N Ps preferred option will be Devo Max .....thats how good he is at this politics lark .....sets the whole political universes face against an option that the understandably reticent Scots electorate see as safely " nearly independence" , then allows the unionist front to forbid it .....then takes the democratic credit for wanting them to have that option ......wonder where the huge opinion poll figures of Devo Max afficionados will end up putting their cross ....some for the union no doubt ....but the others ?

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173

Kinknob

Thursday, January 26, 2012 at 12:06 AM

Who is this Riddoch bog-trotter woman?

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172

seeya

Thursday, January 26, 2012 at 12:05 AM

# True Scot?. What image pops into into your head when this name pops up? I suspect many see a lonely, angry little man in northern England a bed-sit, with a 2 nd hand blow up lady sporting a multittude of vulcanising patches.

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171

Kinknob

Thursday, January 26, 2012 at 12:05 AM

If footdee was a dyslexic schizophrenic - would he be deefeet?

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170

footdee

Thursday, January 26, 2012 at 12:03 AM

debate tonight Lord wallace not only lost the argument but lost the heid

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169

footdee

Thursday, January 26, 2012 at 12:02 AM

Johann on the debate --Cliche,slogan---cliche,slogsn --cliche,slogan ----oh dear unionists

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168

Brit-free

Thursday, January 26, 2012 at 12:01 AM

Jim Sillars talking out of his bitter , politically thwarted neck , this is the calibre of the debate we will be allowed ......no fair representation with newscasters holding the S N P " extremists "whilst their unionists pals kick them in the pants ....thats the way its going to be

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167

footdee

Thursday, January 26, 2012 at 12:01 AM

True Scot Wednesday, January 25, 2012 at 10:37 PM #149 it could be a lot more democratic if the electoral commission ran the ballot and set the question----------------like the 79 one

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166

footdee

Wednesday, January 25, 2012 at 11:59 PM

True Scot Wednesday, January 25, 2012 at 10:28 PM #148 do you have any actual viewpoints or arguments to make-----------I,m following your example

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165

Kinknob

Wednesday, January 25, 2012 at 11:59 PM

163 Cynicus Wednesday, January 25, 2012 at 11:54 PM --- Glenn McRhinestone was hosting The Jeremy McKyle show on BBC1. Catch it on the aye player!

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164

Brit-free

Wednesday, January 25, 2012 at 11:56 PM

lets get shut of the unionist caliper ....throw the vile brit-state in the bin ....

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163

Cynicus

Wednesday, January 25, 2012 at 11:54 PM

Anybody know what happened to Newsnicht tonight? were they having Burns Night off -or what?

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162

Kinknob

Wednesday, January 25, 2012 at 11:51 PM

161 Peacebitch Wednesday, January 25, 2012 at 11:46 PM Alex Gubbay has a lot to answer for. =======================================================Aye. The gobby FM is some sad act. (KJT - I craft tools and ideas)

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