Ditch multi-choice referendum or we face chaos – Rennie
Back to 1979: Opponents of Salmonds referendum warn it could lead to a similarly confused result
THE SNP government is facing fresh pressure to ditch plans for a multi-option referendum on independence, with a warning it will cause “chaos and confusion”.
Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie said the First Minister needed to “face facts” over the growing number of voices questioning his proposals.
Alex Salmond has indicated that he would be keen to include the devo-max option of beefed-up powers for Holyrood, alongside the options of independence or the status quo.
But constitutional experts have raised concerns over such a proposal. Former Holyrood presiding officer Lord Steel was the latest to intervene, claiming it could lead to the same resentment from the 1979 devolution referendum.
It came as a new poll indicated support for independence has risen to more than a third of Scots, but a large majority still oppose it.
The SNP plans to hold a referendum on independence in the second half of the current parliament, after winning a majority in the May election, but political opponents now say the current proposals are untenable.
Yesterday, Mr Rennie said: “Alex Salmond needs to face facts. His plans will do nothing but cause chaos and confusion.
“Respected academics and a former presiding officer are among the growing number of voices that disagree with his plans for a two-vote referendum. David Steel is right to draw a comparison between the 1979 referendum and the SNP’s plans.
“If the SNP do not change course they could be at risk of generating a similar degree of bitterness and frustration as was felt over 30 years ago.”
Critics say many more Scots could vote yes to “devo max” than independence – but the latter would still triumph if it secured a majority.
The 1979 devolution referendum included an unusual qualifying limit for support. Even though a majority backed devolution, the proposal fell because not enough Scots voted.
Lord Steel said: “It is astonishing to see, more than 30 years later, proposals that could make the result of the next referendum unclear.
“The bitterness and frustration will be seen again in Scotland if a landslide of voters choose further devolution, but they get defeated by a less popular option of independence.”
He called on the Scottish Government to set out “far more clearly” the answers to the challenges being raised.
The debate took a twist last week when an expert on electoral administration, Professor Matt Qvortrup, suggested the two-question plan was not feasible.
Mr Salmond later read out a letter to MSPs, purportedly from the academic, claiming the SNP’s plans were “fair and reasonable”. In fact, these had been written by SNP spin doctor Kevin Pringle, prompting a apology from the First Minister for misleading parliament.
Mr Rennie said: “The First Minister should ditch his plans, as it would be absurd for the most popular option to lose simply because it doesn’t have the support of the First Minister.
“Alex Salmond has a mandate to hold a referendum, not to manipulate the result. The Scottish Government need to publish detailed and substantial plans.”
A spokesman for Mr Salmond said a majority voting yes to devo-max and to independence would be a “clear vote” for independence.
“It is the exact opposite of the rigged 1979 referendum, in which a narrow but unambiguous majority for devolution was overturned,” he said.
“The powers of independence encompass everything that would be delivered by devo-max – plus the vital additional powers that only independence offers, such as the ability to remove Trident nuclear weapons from Scotland.
“The SNP government have always said that we are entirely willing to include a devo-max option in the referendum, and the question for Lib Dems and others is whether they wish this option to be included in the referendum, and are prepared to campaign for it.
“The only alternative for the Lib Dems, and Labour, is sharing a platform with the Tories in rejecting any additional powers for Scotland.”
A YouGov survey published yesterday in Scotland on Sunday puts support for the move at 34 per cent, while opposition stood at 52 per cent. The others said they were undecided or would not vote.
The last YouGov poll, taken before the May elections in April, showed Yes voters at 28 per cent, No at 57 per cent, with Don’t Knows at 15 per cent.
Referendum campaign director Angus Robertson, MP, said: “These are excellent figures, showing a growing number of people aspire to a better future for Scotland by taking responsibility for our own affairs.”
But opposition parties say it shows there is no majority in favour of independence.
Labour’s Margaret Curran said: “With public opinion like this, it is no surprise that the SNP won’t name the date, can’t agree on the question and want to dodge the Electoral Commission’s rules.”
Scottish Tory deputy leader Murdo Fraser said: “Despite all of the bluster from the SNP conference, support for independence still remains low.”
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There are 615 comments to this article
Page 1 of 41
abdles
Tuesday, November 8, 2011 at 11:46 PMScotsman, how about going through the motions of pretending to be a quality newspaper that reports in a fair and neutral manner. All 5 related articles under this one are critical of the SNP and obviously designed to reduce their credibility but it is atherton Scotsman that loses credibility.
The Harder They Come
Tuesday, November 1, 2011 at 07:55 AMGuidance on the ordinance makes it clear that that includes adult bullying, mental violence, social rejection, harassment and offensive administrative sanctions. The ordinance requires the employer to plan and organise work so as to prevent victimisation; to make it clear that victimisation cannot be accepted; and to provide routines for the early detection and rectification of unsatisfactory working conditions. It makes it clear that bullying is an organisational issue and that employers have a duty to organise work and the work environment so that they do not create a climate in which bullying is likely to occur. Spoken by Labour MP John Roberston in the westminister parliament.
The Harder They Come
Tuesday, November 1, 2011 at 07:53 AMEmployers have a duty under the Health and Safety at Work Act, etc. 1974 to ensure the health, safety and welfare of their employees. If they do not fulfil their duty, they are breaching an individual’s contract of employment. Employers andor bullies may find themselves facing fines, compensation and possibly a jail sentence. Currently, the only redress for many employees is to resign and claim unfair dismissal.
The Harder They Come
Tuesday, November 1, 2011 at 07:51 AMCan Dr Whiteford bring this claim to a workplace tribunal?
The Harder They Come
Tuesday, November 1, 2011 at 07:50 AMPending Moderation
Annie Baird
Tuesday, November 1, 2011 at 01:49 AMHow predictable was this eh ... Rennies Home Rule stitch up by "the great and the good" begins ... we can be sure that Lord NaeClue Stephen and Baron BestWeeCountryInThe World will inevitably follow______________________________________________________ bbc.co.uk 1 November 2011 Last updated at 00:12 Ex-leader Campbell to head Lib Dems' home rule group Sir Menzies Campbell said home rule would bring certainty The former leader of the Liberal Democrats has been appointed to chair his party's Home Rule Commission. Sir Menzies Campbell's role will see him set out a long-term vision "for a strong Scotland within the UK". Last month's Scottish conference of the Liberal Democrats established the commission. It comes in the wake of the SNP's Holyrood election victory and the promise of an independence referendum later on in the five-year parliament. North East Fife MP Sir Menzies said: "The Scottish Liberal Democrats have an important role to play in the debate about the future of Scotland. "Home Rule has the same significance today as it had historically and, as opinion poll after opinion poll shows, best represents the views of the majority of people in Scotland. "Continuing partnership within the UK, and consistent with that relationship, increased responsibility for our own domestic affairs is the clearest way forward. "Home Rule meets aspirations and brings certainty where the status quo is inadequate and independence brings uncertainty." One aim of the commission was to examine the case for "the next step after Calman".
Annie Baird
Tuesday, November 1, 2011 at 01:35 AMGuys and gals, the SNP have to know which fights can be won and which fights need to be walked away from. Given that Mr Davidson does not lookat all like the kind of guy who would gambol in a field of daisies with the Andrex puppy - unless there was a chance to barbecue it - then this story should have been parked after his botched apology. In the scheme of things this spat will soon be forgotten. But the SNP needs to make sure its not habit forming. Get it sorted Eck, send the message, kick some airses.
The Harder They Come
Tuesday, November 1, 2011 at 01:26 AMDoes Margaret Curran, Shadow Secretary of State for Scotlsnd think the phrase 'getting a doing' is ok to use?
Electric Hermit
Tuesday, November 1, 2011 at 01:26 AM606 Annie Baird " Its time for a few weeks of steady as-she-goes politics to givethe Tories and SLAB the space to crucify themselves." - Agreed. But, as you say, there is the not inconsequential matter of the rabidly hostile unionist media to consider. They have proven themselves adept at conjuring "SNP accused...!" headlines out of absolutely nothing.
Annie Baird
Tuesday, November 1, 2011 at 01:21 AMRemember as well that the media appointed themselves as the opposition to the SNP after May. Well theres no OFFICIAL political opposition is there... In any case, the media stepped up their opposition last week as we have all undoubtedly noticed. Like I say, box clever with these people, they still know how to slip a horse-shoe into the boxing glove and then land it in the kidneys. If I was Eck I'd be banging a few heads together in the next 48 hours. NOTHING must be allowed to distract from the forthcoming Tory and SLAB leadership car-crashes. Its time for a few weeks of steady as-she-goes politics to givethe Tories and SLAB the space to crucify themselves.
Electric Hermit
Tuesday, November 1, 2011 at 01:19 AM601 Annie Baird "Hardly a criminal campaign by Gail L as our resident drama queen would paint it." - But the entire bevy of drama queens will talk of little else all week. Because there is nothing important going on in Scotland, of course. Nothing that is as important to the unionists as trying to smear the SNP.
The Harder They Come
Tuesday, November 1, 2011 at 01:17 AM602. I see the apprentice has arrived, where is your master?
Electric Hermit
Tuesday, November 1, 2011 at 01:16 AMComment removed by moderator
Electric Hermit
Tuesday, November 1, 2011 at 01:14 AMWarthog is a master baiter
Annie Baird
Tuesday, November 1, 2011 at 01:13 AMHardly a criminal campaign by Gail L as our resident drama queen would paint it. But possibly enough to perhaps suggest a bit of gardening leave or time to reflect before coming back a bit wiser...
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