Scottish independence: SNP’s plans ‘in a state of flux’, Willie Rennie claims
SCOTTISH Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie claimed that the SNP’s plans for independence were in a “state of flux”, after justice secretary Kenny MacAskill appeared to suggest that ministers may have to go back to voters with certain matters if the electorate backed independence in the referendum.
In a television interview, Mr MacAskill talked about how ministers would be involved in negotiations with the UK government following a vote in favour of independence.
However, the justice secretary appeared to hint that the SNP would need to consult voters about certain parts of any post-referendum settlement agreed with the UK. He said: “We’ll go into negotiation in the spirit of co-operation.
“There are aspects where we would return to the people in Scotland.”
Mr Rennie said: “Kenny MacAskill implied that this would not be the case. If the Scottish people decide to fully separate Scotland from the United Kingdom family, they need to do so in the knowledge of the implications.
“The SNP are in a state of flux on so many issues relating to Scottish independence. They need to come clean on what Scottish independence will mean for our future. We need hard facts instead of this woolly fantasy.”
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Comments
There are 29 comments to this article
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Onwards
Tuesday, February 21, 2012 at 12:01 AM#19 - The Lib-Dems 'home rule' have been placed on the back burner, along with most other principles they had, for a taste of power with the tories... Rennie's party is a complete and utter joke in Scotland.
Canton-eze
Monday, February 20, 2012 at 11:50 PM#26 Jo'Burg Jock - Aye, #25 speaks with such authority he has to say it twice. Posssibly has the same cut-price English lessons as Drober.
Justicetime
Monday, February 20, 2012 at 06:59 PMYet more unionist media P*SH!
Jo'Burg Jock
Monday, February 20, 2012 at 06:48 PM#25 Colonialtoff -------------- If you attempt to speak with such an air of authority on a subject, have the manners and decency to at least learn the spelling of the word. Otherwise you look like a buffoon. I am sure that is not the way you want to appear, even though you (and the world) know the truth of the matter.
Colonialtoff
Monday, February 20, 2012 at 06:27 PMThe fact is that independance is very different from devolution. Therefore everyone does need to know the full implications of independance as they may not know how their health service education taxes currency mortgages and industry governing bodies are going to work. Surely these answers should be made clear, as they are all currently under the Uk system.
Michael
Monday, February 20, 2012 at 05:45 PM@23 Spooked You are a buffoon, and lack basic political knowledge. The SNP have demonstrated a profound lack of interest in titles and unelected peerage. Read more before you comment. Better to look stupid than open your mouth and prove it beyond doubt.
Spooked
Monday, February 20, 2012 at 05:05 PM#7 Over 80% of nats want to dump the queen and become a republic but strangely that isn't part of their indepence campaign, I wonder why that is. ..... I think its because if we dumped the Monarchy and became a Republic then Big Eck would have blown his chances of a knighthood in the honours list for himself or for any of the SNP's financial supporters. Is that the same reason you were thinking of?
Gordon Hay
Monday, February 20, 2012 at 03:52 PMMountains out of molehills - so someone thinks that someone else "appeared to suggest" or "appeared to hint" (how do you appear to hint?) and we have a news article to the effect that the SNP are in disarray.
housty45
Monday, February 20, 2012 at 01:47 PMSurely every party should be considering their future policies. Are the LibDem's so fixed and happy with their policies. Or are they inflexable and do'nt reflect current opinion. I'd worry more about the continued support of the Scottish people if I were him or in a ConDem coalition. Are there realy people out there that still think despite ther PM telling us last week the the viability os Scottish Independence was'nt an issue. That they still passing comments on it. I the age of instant access to information. Negativity will not win.
Marga
Monday, February 20, 2012 at 01:19 PMIt's obvious that Mr Rennie is drawing on his and others' vast experience of the legal regulations governing the splitting off of parts of the UK here.
samcoldstream
Monday, February 20, 2012 at 12:11 PMMaybe the Lib-Dems should come clean about their Federal credentials instead of concealing this 100 year old policy for fear of frightening English voters..
Tiny
Monday, February 20, 2012 at 12:02 PMMy how the Unionists get excited about anything. Clearly in an independent Scotland there will be general elections, indeed one will be due in 2015 so naturally the SNP will require to put matters to the electorate.
Sneeky
Monday, February 20, 2012 at 10:08 AMOh it's not hard to understand... even for unionists. Voting YES in the referendum gives the SNP the power to negotiate independence with Westminster. They may need to ask later whether we want to be a republic, stay in the EU, lease Coulport to the rUK for their nuclear weapon storage until they can build their own site etc... None of this changes the fact that a YES vote is a vote to actually be able to choose, rather than be dictated to by westminster! __ Mr Rennies party has lost all legitimacy and decency!
Family guy
Monday, February 20, 2012 at 09:54 AM14 - It is unfair to let the uninformed Scotsman and Daily Record readers to vote (when they should be working). So kids should not be allowed to vote on the greatest constitutional vote of their lives because of "fog" but they can vote on all the issues instead? Who are "you guys"? Any news from you guys on when your government are holding the only legal referendum allowed on independence?
Jo'Burg Jock
Monday, February 20, 2012 at 09:46 AM#5 Strange how different people see the numbers depending on the their purpose!!! --------- Here it is -------- from Hansard Parliamentary Debates ---------- ________________________________________________________ 25 Jan 2012 : Column 377 ________________________________________________________ Nicholas Soames (Mid Sussex) (Con): ----- ""The taxes forecast to be raised from the industry in 2011-12 include some £6 billion in income tax, national insurance contributions and corporation tax paid by the supply chain companies, with an additional £11 billion from taxes on production itself. That amounts to 25% of all the corporation tax received by the Exchequer. The production of indigenous oil and gas improved the balance of payments by £35 billion in 2011, thus halving the trade deficit, and the supply chain added another £5 billion to £6 billion with exports of oilfield goods and services. Incidentally, that is an aspect of the industry that is doing extremely well here and overseas, and it is flying the flag for Britain effectively.""
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