analysis

BRING it on, declared Wendy Alexander in 2008, when she unexpectedly backed the idea of holding an immediate independence referendum in Scotland.

Steady on, said her party colleagues at Westminster, who felt there was no need to rush in and put the Union under threat. Mrs Alexander could now be excused for feeling just a little justified in her stance.

These days at the House of Commons, her Westminster colleagues are falling over themselves to demand the fight be brought on. Yesterday Labour peer Lord Foulkes repeated his call for a referendum to be included in the Scotland Bill, which is currently going through parliament. He would like there to be a binding commitment for such a vote to be held within 24 months of the bill getting Royal Assent. Former chancellor Alastair Darling has also spoken up for a speedy resolution to the Big Question.

The position of the UK government is that the Scottish Government “should get on with it”. May’s dramatic election victory has turned previous political tactics on their head.

The demands for the referendum to be brought on are not just a belated post-election acceptance of Mrs Alexander’s logic, but also a sign of unrest at Westminster that MPs have ceded control over the referendum to Mr Salmond. After his victory in May, UK ministers declared that the Scottish Government could have the referendum “when they choose”. On the details of the Big Question, they said the ball was in the SNP’s court. Mr Salmond happily accepted their offer. He is in no rush to hold the referendum, particularly with polls still showing independence would be rejected. Meanwhile, he has hinted that he would like to see a second question placed in the referendum on “devo-max”. That means that even if he doesn’t win Gold, there is the chance of Silver, rather than a simple win or bust. He is in control of the process.

Now Westminster is crying foul. MPs and peers note that it is Westminster, not Holyrood, that is the Sovereign Parliament with authority over such referenda. Therefore, figures such as Foulkes argue that Westminster should bring matters to a head. He and others are placing great store in comments by the CBI last week warning of the “possible damage” to the Scottish economy if a future referendum creates uncertainty. The reaction of other business figures on this issue is now going to be crucial.

In the meantime, UK ministers say it’s up to Mr Salmond to play the next card. But if momentum behind a quickie referendum builds, they may take matters into their own hands. The current Westminster uprising about the referendum can be seen as the first shots of that potential future battle.