SNP's referendum sweetener to Lib Dems

Published on Wednesday 23 September 2009 22:00

FIRST Minister Alex Salmond has attempted to woo the Liberal Democrats into supporting an independence referendum.

Speaking at a conference on devolution yesterday, Mr Salmond went out of his way to revive an offer for a multi-option referendum on the future constitutional position of Scotland.

A multi-option referendum is known to be favoured by the Liberal Democrats.

This week at their party conference in Bournemouth, the Liberal Democrats have made it clear they are considering changing their position on holding a referendum in an effort to save the Union. Previously, Scottish leader Tavish Scott had said that it was wrong to hold a referendum during a recession. Late last year the Liberal Democrats tabled a successful amendment in a debate on independence to give the SNP a signal that the Unionist parties would vote down any referendum.

But it is understood that the party's Treasury spokesman, Vince Cable, a former Glasgow councillor, is pushing for a quick referendum in the belief that if one were held when the Conservatives were in government, the Nationalists would win.

In a briefing to journalists, Mr Salmond implied that the possibility of Liberal Democrat MSPs supporting his Referendum Bill was behind the offer of a multi-question option. This option would allow a question on greater powers, such as one on Scotland controlling a third of its income tax, as suggested by the Calman Commission.

During the speech at the conference – Scotland after the first decade, the possible future organised by MacKay Hannah and partnered by The Scotsman – Mr Salmond said: "I recognise that others have different views on Scotland's future – that is the stuff of a vibrant Scottish democracy.

"That is why I am happy to confirm that the Scottish Government is now minded to include a more powers option in our proposed Referendum Bill, subject to the parties which believe in that policy being willing to let the people speak."

However, speaking at the same conference Labour Secretary of State Jim Murphy, pictured left with Mr Salmond, made it clear that his party would not be returning to the offer of a quick referendum.

In a section of his speech headed: "TGI Britain – thank God it's Britain," he questioned why there was more interest in constitutional issues than improving people's lives.

He added: "Nationalism is the pathway to the past, we are in the fast lane to the interconnected super highway."

GOVERNMENTS CLASH ON CLIMATE-CHANGE CONFERENCE

A NEW row has broken out between the Scottish and UK governments over who should go to the climate-change conference in Copenhagen in December.

First Minister Alex Salmond revealed yesterday that his government has been asking for a minister to be part of the delegation to Copenhagen.

Environmental groups involved have asked for a Scottish minister to explain the country's world-leading climate-change legislation.

However, the UK government, which has yet to reply to the request, will only allow an official to be included in the delegation.

Mr Salmond said that his government "would be represented one way or another". Mike Robinson, chairman of Stop Climate Chaos Scotland, said: "With Scotland's world-leading climate legislation, it is essential that Scotland plays a formal role within the UK government delegation in the crucial Copenhagen climate negotiations at the end of this year."