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| Version 18 | Version 19 |
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| SNP sets out plan for referendum | SNP sets out plan for referendum |
| (about 7 hours later) | |
| The Scottish government has published its white paper on Scotland's constitutional future, paving the way for an independence referendum. | The Scottish government has published its white paper on Scotland's constitutional future, paving the way for an independence referendum. |
| First Minister Alex Salmond said Scotland must be independent to meet its full economic potential. | First Minister Alex Salmond said Scotland must be independent to meet its full economic potential. |
| He also outlined a series of other options, including substantial new powers for the Scottish Parliament. | He also outlined a series of other options, including substantial new powers for the Scottish Parliament. |
| The minority SNP administration does not have enough support from opposition parties to stage a referendum in 2010. | The minority SNP administration does not have enough support from opposition parties to stage a referendum in 2010. |
| The white paper, launched on St Andrew's Day, sets out independence as its favoured option. | The white paper, launched on St Andrew's Day, sets out independence as its favoured option. |
| Three other possible scenarios for Scotland's future are contained in the white paper: no change in the present set-up; more powers, as recommended by the Calman Commission review of devolution; and a major transfer of responsibilities from Westminster to Holyrood, such as full financial autonomy. | Three other possible scenarios for Scotland's future are contained in the white paper: no change in the present set-up; more powers, as recommended by the Calman Commission review of devolution; and a major transfer of responsibilities from Westminster to Holyrood, such as full financial autonomy. |
| Brian TaylorBBC Scotland political editor Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Tavish Scott is resolutely opposed to a referendum in 2010, arguing it would be a costly waste of time in a recession. | Brian TaylorBBC Scotland political editor Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Tavish Scott is resolutely opposed to a referendum in 2010, arguing it would be a costly waste of time in a recession. |
| Mr Salmond's tactical hope is that things could change after the next Holyrood elections in 2011. | Mr Salmond's tactical hope is that things could change after the next Holyrood elections in 2011. |
| What if, he imagines, the Lib Dems have posited "devo max" in their manifesto for those elections? | What if, he imagines, the Lib Dems have posited "devo max" in their manifesto for those elections? |
| Could that form the basis for a coalition deal - or a compact to hold a plebiscite? Read Brian Taylor's blog href="/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/8387337.stm">Views from Salmond stomping ground | |
| Speaking at its launch in Edinburgh, Mr Salmond said: "It's time for the people to have their say on Scotland's future. | Speaking at its launch in Edinburgh, Mr Salmond said: "It's time for the people to have their say on Scotland's future. |
| "The debate in Scottish politics is no longer between change or no change - it's about the kind of change we seek and the right of the people to choose their future in a free and fair referendum." | "The debate in Scottish politics is no longer between change or no change - it's about the kind of change we seek and the right of the people to choose their future in a free and fair referendum." |
| The content of the referendum ballot paper will not be revealed until the Referendum Bill is published early next year. | The content of the referendum ballot paper will not be revealed until the Referendum Bill is published early next year. |
| Mr Salmond has expressed a preference for a single question on independence, but said he was willing to consider including another option on more powers for Holyrood. | Mr Salmond has expressed a preference for a single question on independence, but said he was willing to consider including another option on more powers for Holyrood. |
| Scottish Labour leader Iain Gray insisted his party did not fear a referendum, but called on the Scottish government to drop it and focus on more immediate concerns, such as the recession. | Scottish Labour leader Iain Gray insisted his party did not fear a referendum, but called on the Scottish government to drop it and focus on more immediate concerns, such as the recession. |
| "We should not be distracting ourselves with a referendum, with a question which we don't even know what it is, with options we don't even know what they are," he said. | "We should not be distracting ourselves with a referendum, with a question which we don't even know what it is, with options we don't even know what they are," he said. |
| "It could cost anything up to £12m - that's public resources which could be put to far better use protecting and creating jobs here in Scotland and I think that's what Scots want us to be doing." | "It could cost anything up to £12m - that's public resources which could be put to far better use protecting and creating jobs here in Scotland and I think that's what Scots want us to be doing." |
| Scottish Conservative leader Annabel Goldie, added: "This referendum bill is a complete waste of public resources on something that the people of Scotland clearly don't want. | Scottish Conservative leader Annabel Goldie, added: "This referendum bill is a complete waste of public resources on something that the people of Scotland clearly don't want. |
| "Alex Salmond should ditch this referendum bill, which the SNP say will cost £9m, and get on with the job he was elected to do." | "Alex Salmond should ditch this referendum bill, which the SNP say will cost £9m, and get on with the job he was elected to do." |
| READ THE WHITE PAPER Your Scotland, Your Voice - a National Conversation [28KB] Most computers will open this document automatically, but you may need Adobe Reader Download the reader here | READ THE WHITE PAPER Your Scotland, Your Voice - a National Conversation [28KB] Most computers will open this document automatically, but you may need Adobe Reader Download the reader here |
| The SNP, which has 47 MSPs, needs the support of the pro-independence Greens and 16 other members to gain a majority for the referendum in parliament. | The SNP, which has 47 MSPs, needs the support of the pro-independence Greens and 16 other members to gain a majority for the referendum in parliament. |
| But that seems increasingly unlikely, after Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Tavish Scott recently ruled out supporting a referendum before the next Holyrood elections. | But that seems increasingly unlikely, after Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Tavish Scott recently ruled out supporting a referendum before the next Holyrood elections. |
| "I think we should concentrate on the issues we are responsible for - of course make the arguments for strengthening our parliament and making it more accountable to our people," said Mr Scott. | "I think we should concentrate on the issues we are responsible for - of course make the arguments for strengthening our parliament and making it more accountable to our people," said Mr Scott. |
| "That's where we should be not on this obsession with independence that Mr Salmond and the rest of his party have." | "That's where we should be not on this obsession with independence that Mr Salmond and the rest of his party have." |
| The SNP's white paper came just days after the UK government proposed to hand more responsibility to Holyrood, following the Calman review. | The SNP's white paper came just days after the UK government proposed to hand more responsibility to Holyrood, following the Calman review. |
| The plans included the power to vary the rate of income tax by up to 10p in the pound and responsibility for drink drive and speed limits. | The plans included the power to vary the rate of income tax by up to 10p in the pound and responsibility for drink drive and speed limits. |
| However, none of these would be implemented until after the next UK election. | However, none of these would be implemented until after the next UK election. |