If you back independence, you’re an extremist, Nick Clegg tells Scotland
Nick Clegg has called those pushing for Scottish independence as "extremists", prompting the SNP, below, to suggest that Clegg reconsider his choice of words. Pictures: Ian Rutherford/Phil Wilkinson
NICK Clegg last night branded those who believed in Scottish independence as “extremists”, as he claimed the Liberal Democrats had won the “centre ground” of the constitutional debate by calling for more Holyrood powers short of separation.
The Deputy Prime Minister underlined his commitment to handing more powers to the Scottish Parliament as he declared that he was a “devolutionist” rather than a Unionist.
On a visit north of the Border, Mr Clegg described independence as “the extreme” – a choice of words that led to the SNP suggesting that the Lib Dem leader should “rethink” his language.
In an interview with The Scotsman, Mr Clegg was asked whether he regarded himself as a Unionist, a term that has already been rejected by the Lib Dem Scottish Secretary Michael Moore and the Lib Dem Scottish leader Willie Rennie.
“No,” replied Mr Clegg. “I would describe myself as a devolutionist, someone who believes in a strong Scotland, in a strong United Kingdom, but where Scotland increasingly takes on more and more of its own powers and responsibilities.
“The reason that I am not going to use the labels that you want to attach to me, is that we have a very clear Liberal Democrat vision of the United Kingdom, held together but within it the nations of the United Kingdom expressing themselves in their own terms.”
Mr Clegg said the Lib Dems vision of Home Rule represented the views of the Scottish people and argued that those who were for independence, or keeping the current constitutional settlement, were extremists.
“All the evidence suggests that is the mainstream of opinion and the extremists are those who either think that we need to yank Scotland out of the United Kingdom tomorrow, or those who say there should be no further change at all,” Mr Clegg said.
“Well, I don’t agree with either of those two extremes.
“I and my party are very much situated in the centre ground of Scottish public opinion, which says let’s retain the strengths of being part of the United Kingdom because we are stronger together and weaker apart in a very uncertain world.
“But, within that, give Scotland more and more authority and power to do its own thing.”
The SNP objected to Mr Clegg’s description of the pro-independence movement. A spokeswoman said: “Nick Clegg is spending too much time with the Tories. His comments are the same old and tired Tory scaremongering and he may want to rethink his language. Whilst Clegg clings to an outdated Union and fails to offer the full financial powers the Scottish people want, the SNP will continue to lead the ambitions of the people for Scotland to have the same powers as any other nation.”
Mr Clegg was in Dunfermline to promote a £1 billion UK Government scheme to deal with youth unemployment. He called on the SNP to support the Youth Contract, which aims to find at least 410,000 work places for 18 to 24-year-olds across the UK, with wage subsidies worth £2,275 handed to employers.
Later, he visited Edinburgh City Council, where he met the local authority’s Lib Dem leader Jenny Dawe.
Mr Clegg called on First Minister Alex Salmond to clarify his position on the constitution, saying: “I always thought the SNP stood for independence, now they seem to stand for a smorgasboard of multiple choice questions about a variety of different futures for Scotland.
“I wish they would have the courage of their convictions and just argue for independence plain and simple. Let’s have that debate, let’s have the referendum and then the country can move on.”
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Comments
There are 319 comments to this article
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manwillstoponedayhaha
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Anagach
Sunday, January 8, 2012 at 05:25 PM303 The Answer #301.............Who By Fire................scotland the contributor to Westminster.........property stamp duty a massive £330 million , but only £5,405 million England............. http:www.hmrc.gov.ukstatsstamp_dutytable15-5-2010-11.pdf ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hey Answer, where is the UK Treasury official breakdown of taxes collected in Scotland and spending in Scotland versus the rest of the UK, including the non-redistribution of the centralised costs for London departements, is that spreadsheet not in one of your posts ?.
glassbenmhor
Sunday, January 8, 2012 at 05:05 PMGood God, who would have thought a....Liberal Fascist!.....and look at the pair of them in the picture like a couple of schoolboys reading a comic, aye they'll not be the smiles when there figuring out who'll pay for the 'lost deposits' next time around!, but then again there's always a dodgy donor or two too be had!
korky
Sunday, January 8, 2012 at 03:18 PMTotally out of kilter with Scottish aspirations. He is not speaking for me that's for sure.
korky
Sunday, January 8, 2012 at 03:15 PMThis man is totally out of touch,not a clue about Scots.
Independence for England
Sunday, January 8, 2012 at 11:11 AM# 299 Here's abit of reading if you are interested! http:toque.co.uk http:richardaitkins.wordpress.com http:cepnews.org.uk
Independence for England
Sunday, January 8, 2012 at 10:59 AM# 297 I'm not a fake Englishman. I'm English. All I'm trying to do is let you know that, despite what some of the Scottish contributors say, most of us English would be more than happy for Scotland to go. Same goes for Wales and N.Ireland. As for demanding independence for England. Some of us are campaigning but as you know it takes along time to get going. We English are relative newcomers to this independence buisiness. You Scottish have been banging on for centuries about the hated English. The SNP was formed in 1934 and yet you are still here, dithering! Can we afford it? Can't we afford it. What currency will we use etc. etc. I just hope it all comes to an end very soon.
Bruceboy
Sunday, January 8, 2012 at 10:37 AMCuckcoo, Cuckcoo!
Kennedy Clan
Sunday, January 8, 2012 at 09:33 AM#298 Was this part of the report too undermining of your negative case? "In 2009-10, the estimated current budget balance for the public sector in Scotland was a deficit of £14.9 billion (13.4 per cent of GDP) excluding North Sea revenue, a deficit of £14.4 billion (12.6 per cent of GDP) including a per capita share of North Sea revenue or a deficit of £9.0 billion (6.8 per cent of GDP) including an illustrative geographical share of North Sea revenue......In 2009-10, the UK as a whole ran a current budget deficit, including 100 per cent of North Sea revenue, of £107.3 billion (7.6% of GDP)." In other words, Scotland's current deficit is a lower % of GDP than is the case for the UK as a whole. But, it is not decisive what Scotland's position is within the UK, because we know the UK mismanages the Scottish economy. If the current state of a country's economy was a decisive factor in an independence debate, the UK would still have an empire! Instead of obsessing over the minutiae of the past, you may want to turn your attention to what is achievable in the future.
Kennedy Clan
Sunday, January 8, 2012 at 09:20 AM#303 You have trotted out that statistic before. But, can you tell us what your point is? London and the South East have overheated property markets - what is the significance of that to the prospects for a prosperous independent Scotland?
Reekin' Lum
Sunday, January 8, 2012 at 03:35 AMWell, joining late in this piece. Does anyone recall in recent months any cogent argument from Clegg and his ilk apart from the fact that we will all go to hell if we go for independence? It's so typical of those who lack the intellectual capacity to further intelligent discusssion- "if you don't believe in my way of thinking, you are an extremist." Every word out of this person's mouth and that of his treacherous cohorts, Moore and Alexander has been part of a line of drivel intending to scare the wits out of those who grew up in the Nanny State created by Labour, new and old. They know that those poor souls will be the ones that can save their United Kingdom when the referendum comes. And now a pause- will someone please answer the question I have posed on numerous occasions on these commentaries- do you really think, if there was no oil off Scotland's waters, these English masters ( and Brown, Moore, Alexander to name a few) would be subjecting us to this increasing vitriol?
Willie Macleod
Sunday, January 8, 2012 at 01:24 AMExtremist's! Who are these extremist's Nick Clegg is talking about? __________________________________________________ Has he had a good look around the cabinet table recently he might find what he is looking for there.
Cmca1
Sunday, January 8, 2012 at 12:29 AMWhat a silly thing to say from a very unpopular man. As if many people don't already think that Clegg has sold out all he believes in for a cosy powershare with the Tories, he now feels he is in a good position to tell people they are 'extreme' for wanting a complete say on how their country is run, without the interference and greed of Westminster.
Cynicus
Sunday, January 8, 2012 at 12:20 AM234 Wardog Saturday, January 7, 2012 at 01:00 PM Nick Clegg, who is he? ____________________________________________________ Back online after an HOUR? Short working day! Maybe you're an ambulance man on tea-break, If so, I hope nobody died.
DCC
Sunday, January 8, 2012 at 12:11 AMWell Mr. Clegg, it's Sipmles, I'm an Extremist! Oh, I foot to say, I'm proud of it. What a silly comment by Clegg, so provocative. :-))
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