Scottish independence: Separation perhaps by vote, perhaps by common tongue

MPS last night agreed to hand the Scottish Parliament the powers required to hold a referendum on independence.

The government’s order, which authorises Holyrood to hold the poll in the autumn of next year, now needs to be approved by the Lords.

The order was passed unopposed by MPs as Scottish Secretary Michael Moore told the House of Commons the “great debate” about whether Scotland could now separate from the rest of the United Kingdom could begin.

He said the order would give the Scottish Parliament the legal, fair and decisive referendum pledged in the Edinburgh Agreement and signed by David Cameron and Alex Salmond last year.

Mr Moore said: “It is now essential the referendum decision is focused on determining whether Scotland chooses to remain an integral part of the most successful partnership of nations the world has ever seen, to remain part of a family of nations that works in the interests of all – or whether Scotland wishes to leave and go it alone.”

The SNP’s Westminster leader Angus Robertson said Scotland faced “no greater democratic choice” than deciding whether it would remain a part of the UK, telling MPs that devolving power for the referendum was a “huge milestone”.

Meanwhile, evidence has emerged showing how parliamentary officials in London are baffled by the accents of Scottish MPs.

One Hansard reporter sent a note to a Scottish MP asking why he made a reference to the SNP calling them “big fairies”.

Bemused Jim Sheridan MP explained that he had, in fact, said “big fearties”.