Scottish independence: Salmond sets out plans for referendum

Published on Thursday 3 September 2009 11:23

First Minister Alex Salmond today detailed the Scottish Government's plans to hold a referendum on independence.

A Bill on the issue was the cornerstone of the SNP administration's legislative programme for the coming year which was unveiled today.

It comprises 13 Bills, including an Alcohol Misuse Bill, which will include minimum pricing for drink, and legislation on the new Forth crossing.

Mr Salmond told MSPs in a statement on the programme at Holyrood this morning there is a "consensus for change" on Scotland's constitutional status.

"I want Scotland to have the same responsibilities and opportunities as similar nations," he said today.

"Until we can use all the economic and financial levers available to every other government in the world, Scotland will always be at a competitive disadvantage."

Mr Salmond said he has been "very proud" to lead the Scottish Government but warned a "glass ceiling" threatens to stall the country's progress.

"This Government was elected with a popular mandate to put the question of Scotland's future to the vote in a referendum," he said.

"It is time for the people of Scotland to have their say. Not everyone will agree with our vision for the future, we know that.

"But the people of Scotland must be heard. This Parliament should not stand in their way – let the people speak."

Opinion poll: If there was a referendum now, would you vote for Scottish independence?

Vote now

The Scottish Government hopes to bring forward the Bill next year.

But the legislation seems doomed, with the three main opposition parties having indicated they will not support plans to hold a ballot on independence.

Mr Salmond told MSPs that the Alcohol Misuse Bill was being introduced because drink-related mortality rates have doubled over the last 15 years.

It will be based on international evidence and minimum pricing will be the "cornerstone" of the legislation.

But the First Minister said: "Minimum pricing will be only one of a range of measures to tackle alcohol misuse.

"What is required is real, lasting, social and cultural change."

Economic recovery is "central" to the programme for the coming year, Mr Salmond added, and a Forth Crossing Bill is a "key" to success in this area.

"Without an alternative crossing, economic output could fall by around 1 billion and we could see a loss of around 3,200 jobs, some of which may be permanent," he said.

A legal services Bill will improve legal firms' ability to compete internationally.

And Mr Salmond said that a Housing Bill will be introduced which will end "right to buy" for all newly-built social housing.

Families facing financial hardship in the recession will be helped by the Debt and Family Homes Bill, Mr Salmond said.

"We must ensure that people who become bankrupt are not made homeless unnecessary," the First Minister said.

A Debtor Protection Bill will also increase protection for those facing repossession or bankruptcy, by requiring lenders to demonstrate they have considered "reasonable alternatives" to repossession.

But Labour Holyrood leader Iain Gray blasted the SNP administration's record of delivery.

He said of the 15 Bills in the Government's previous legislative programme, just five had actually been taken through Parliament last year.

Mr Gray claimed: "The truth is that this Government's record of delivery on programmes for government is poor indeed.

"They famously bring little substantial legislation forward and much of that is delayed, botched or just plain dropped.

"So we should take this programme with a large pinch of salt."

Mr Gray claimed plans for a referendum Bill had "even less support" than SNP proposals last year to axe the council tax and replace it with a local income tax.

Instead he said the Government should be focusing on what action could be taken to help Scotland in the wake of the recession.