Scottish independence referendum: Alex Salmond plays his trump card

The most dramatic day in Scottish politics since last May’s landslide election victory for the SNP culminated in the First Minister’s sudden announcement that the “biggest question for Scots in 300 years” would be held in autumn 2014, writes Scott Macnab.

The referendum date commanded widespread coverage. It trumped the best efforts of Scottish Secretary Michael Moore on the day he set out the coalition’s attempt to effectively tell the SNP that, legally, they weren’t allowed to do it. But was it another example of Salmond’s political Midas touch – or had he blinked first in the face of pressure from Westminster?

The 2014 date had been decided some time ago, but there was no indication when it would be announced. Only after yesterday’s Scottish Cabinet meeting, did it emerge that the date had been set.

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Labour leader Johann Lamont insisted Salmond had been “panicked” into the decision, while Moore himself gamely attempted to welcome Salmond’s intervention as the first contribution to the coalition’s consultation.

But as the Unionists’ first real attempt to seize the initiative from Salmond ended with him basking in nationwide headlines, the No campaign must wonder how they can stop the man.