Scottish independence: Michael McMahon asks SNP MSPs to reject second question

A SENIOR Labour MSP has called for “cross-party agreement” to demand a single Yes or No question in the 2014 independence referendum.

Michael McMahon has written to SNP MSPs asking them to oppose the inclusion of a second referendum question offering extended devolution, which he warned would “muddy the waters” in the vote.

The move comes after Prime Minister David Cameron used a visit to Scotland to say that he wanted a deal in place with First Minister Alex Salmond on a straight “in-out” independence referendum “by the end of September”. Mr McMahon’s appeal to backbench SNP MSPs will add to the pressure on Mr Salmond, who has hinted he would back a second question on a proposal to extend the Scottish Parliament’s tax-raising powers while leaving the country within the Union.

Mr McMahon, in his letter to SNP MSPs, said: “I am keen to gain cross-party agreement on the referendum process, particularly on whether we should have a single question or a multi-option ballot.

“My view is straightforward – we need a clear and decisive result which settles this matter for good and I believe this can only be achieved through a single question.”

An SNP spokesman last night claimed there was widespread support for a second question on more powers and that it was “only right that this is carefully and properly considered”.

ANDREW WHITAKER