Referendum will be main issue at 2011 election, says Salmond

Published on Tuesday 13 October 2009 21:54

AN INDEPENDENCE referendum will be the dominant issue at the next Scottish Parliament election, First Minister Alex Salmond has said.

In a warning to the unionist parties, the First Minister made clear that even if his referendum bill was not passed at Holyrood early next year, it would be brought back centre stage in the 2011 campaign.

Mr Salmond told foreign journalists he was confident the SNP would have more MSPs in 2011, which would make it easier for the party to push through a referendum.

The First Minister will bring forward the referendum bill as part of a white paper on St Andrew's Day, 30 November.

It is expected that MSPs – most of whom remain opposed to even holding a referendum – will vote on it early next year.

Mr Salmond said the London unionist parties had begun to soften their stance on the referendum.

"Although there is stated opposition and currently a stated majority against the referendum bill, there is no doubt that there is the possibility that the situation will change," he said at a briefing in London.

He added: "It is now right that we look to the future, and consider the further responsibilities that Scotland needs to succeed. The Scottish Government believes that the full responsibilities of independence are essential for Scotland to achieve her full potential."

Labour jumped on the remarks, saying it put the Nationalists exactly where the opposition wanted them at the next election. A Labour source said: "While we are going to be talking about jobs and public services, they are going to be talking about the constitution."