Sir Tom calls for a quick vote on independence

Published on Sunday 30 March 2008 22:01

ALEX SALMOND has welcomed the intervention by Sir Tom Hunter, Scotland's richest man, who called yesterday for "common sense" and a speedy referendum on independence to sort out the wrangles over Scotland's future.

Sir Tom said a vote was needed to allow the nation to move on – either as an independent country or as part of the UK. The billionaire tycoon and philanthropist said he wanted a "considered debate" followed by a referendum.

In an article in yesterday's Scotland on Sunday, Sir Tom accused Scotland's political parties of "posturing, positioning and pontificating" over attempts to reform the constitution. Despite this, his call for a referendum was welcomed by Mr Salmond.

The First Minister said: "Opinion is coming down between those who believe in the right of the people to determine Scotland's future – a position carrying 80 per cent support – and those who don't.

"The SNP's first choice is to have a 'for or against' referendum on independence and that 2010 is the right sort of timescale."

Sir Tom's intervention in the debate comes after Labour, the Liberal Democrats and the Conservatives announced they planned to support an independent commission to examine more powers for Holyrood, but without full independence.

But Sir Tom also attacked a suggestion by Mr Salmond that a referendum might be held under the Single Transferable Vote (STV) system. Under the system, voters list their preferences in order.

The tycoon said that such a system – which he describes as "Simon Cowell's X Factor voting system" – could not be used to determine Scotland's future.

The SNP wants a referendum in two years on whether Scotland should become independent, but, at present, lacks majority support to get this through Holyrood.

Scottish Labour leader Wendy Alexander said: "Sir Tom Hunter is certainly right that there's no way we should go down the route suggested by Alex Salmond.

"It's an absurd notion that he could gerrymander the vote and break up the UK without a straight majority."