Scottish Independence: SNP and coalition begin to draft the referendum

THE UK and Scottish governments have begun work on a draft agreement to set out the rules of a referendum on independence, as talks over a possible deal progressed yesterday.

• Sturgeon steering referendum campaign after recent cabinet reshuffle.

• Both sides hope for progress after initial bitter arguments.

However, the discussions between SNP Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and Scottish Secretary Michael Moore did not resolve the key issue of the number of questions that will be asked on the ballot paper.

SNP ministers have said one straight question on independence is their preference, but they are waiting for the publication of a consultation document, in the next few weeks, which will show the level of public support for a second question that asks voters whether they would prefer a more powerful Scottish parliament within the UK.

UK ministers have insisted the issue is not for the referendum, but for the next election campaign.

The issue of the question or questions was discussed by the two sides yesterday, officials said, but there was no agreement on a settled way forward.

However, both sides said there was now “common agreement” on ensuring that the Electoral Commission oversees the vote and that Holyrood has final say over public broadcasts during the campaign.

With such issues nearing resolution, and with the UK government hoping to table legislation at the end of next month giving the Scottish Parliament full responsibility for the referendum, officials have begun to prepare a text setting out a potential final deal.

First Minister Alex Salmond and Prime Minister David Cameron are now expected to meet “in the next few weeks”, both sides said yesterday, when a final agreement may be signed off.

After the two-hour long talks ended, the two governments released the same statement to describe the progress made.

“All the significant issues are now under discussion”, it said.

It added: “Ministers reviewed good progress made by officials towards a common understanding of issues, such as the role of the Electoral Commission and ensuring that the Scottish Parliament has the power to legislate to provide for public broadcasts by the campaigns. There was a helpful discussion on a range of issues and agreement on further work that requires to be done.”

Mr Moore said: “We had a very constructive set of discussions. The two governments want to make this work and we are now engaging in the detail. We are upping the pace and working through the tough issues.”

Ms Sturgeon and Mr Moore said they will meet again next week in London for another round of discussions.

If a deal is signed, legislation is likely to be tabled at Westminster at the end of October, to give the Scottish Parliament full legal authority over the referendum.

UK ministers have also agreed to the SNP’s timetable to stage the referendum in the autumn of 2014. Last month, the three pro-Union parties also backed an independent panel led by Lord Sutherland which recommended that the question ask people to agree or disagree with the statement “Scotland should become an independent state”.

The formula is similar to the SNP’s preferred question: “Do you agree Scotland should become an independent country?”