Popular referendum

I have no complaint with Lorna Dick's entertaining political stargazing (5 January) for 2007. But the SNP commitment is not to have an independence vote within 100 days of taking office; our commitment is to publish our proposal for a referendum, in the form of a white paper, in the first 100 days, and to hold the referendum within the four-year term of government.

The referendum places the choice on independence where it rightfully belongs - with the people of Scotland. Interestingly, while the opinion polls on independence are favourable, but close, support for the concept of a referendum is overwhelming, which is presumably why the Labour Party is so scared of it.

ALEX SALMOND, Leader, SNP, MacDonald Road, Edinburgh