Scottish independence: More than one referendum needed, says Nigel Smith

SCOTLAND would need to vote twice on independence to avoid it being a “sh** or bust” referendum, the man who headed the 1997 yes campaign warned MPs yesterday.

Nigel Smith, who headed the cross party committee for a yes vote in the 1997 devolution referendum caused a stir when he used colourful, unparliamentary language to describe the referendum the proposal for a single question referendum.

But he said that the first referendum needed to be an “enabling” one to allow the Scottish Government to open talks and then be followed by a second one when the details of separation had been negotiated.

The inquiry by the Scottish Affairs Select Committee into the referendum was also told a short yes/ no question will be too confusing for Scottish votersy.

Martin Boon, the head of social and government research at ICM, yesterday told the Scottish Affairs Select Committee that the referendum question “needs clarity.”

When asked whether voters could be presented with two option instead of a yes/ no question he said it would be too confusing.

“There is a danger of confusing a certain proportion of the population,” he said.

Mr Boon also appeared to endorse the SNP’s proposed question as the best one he has seen yet, although “not perfect.”

Critics have complained that a question beginning “do you think” is leading.

Mr Boon and Mr Smith disagreed over who should set the question.

Mr Boon said it should be the “independent Electoral Commision” while Mr Smith said that if powers are transferred from Westminster then the Scottish Government will have the authority to do it.

Mr Smith also attacked First minister Alex Salmond for “tailoring” the referendum by dropping grants for the two sides.

He claimed this meant those in favour of independence have access to £1 million of public money, but those against will not get any public financial support.