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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| SNP outlining independence plans | SNP outlining independence plans |
| (30 minutes later) | |
| The Scottish government is due to publish its white paper on Scotland's constitutional future, which could pave the way for an independence referendum. | The Scottish government is due to publish its white paper on Scotland's constitutional future, which could pave the way for an independence referendum. |
| First Minister Alex Salmond is expected to argue Scotland must be independent to meet its full economic potential. | First Minister Alex Salmond is expected to argue Scotland must be independent to meet its full economic potential. |
| The minority SNP administration does not have enough support to pass a referendum bill as Labour, the Tories and the Lib Dems all oppose the plan. | The minority SNP administration does not have enough support to pass a referendum bill as Labour, the Tories and the Lib Dems all oppose the plan. |
| But the process could see Holyrood gain more power over taxation and spending. | But the process could see Holyrood gain more power over taxation and spending. |
| The white paper is being launched on St Andrew's Day and comes after the SNP government began its "national conversation" on Scotland's future. | The white paper is being launched on St Andrew's Day and comes after the SNP government began its "national conversation" on Scotland's future. |
| Murdo Fraser, deputy leader of the Scottish Conservative Party, defended his party's outright opposition to a referendum. | |
| He told BBC Scotland: "I don't see an argument for independence at any time. | |
| "The worst possible time to be having a referendum is when people are concentrating on the far more important task which is how we deal with Labour's recession and get the country back to work. | |
| "That is what we should be focusing on now not wasting our time on constitutional navel-gazing." | |
| 'More responsibility' | 'More responsibility' |
| The first minister has previously said he would consider a referendum question on more powers for the Scottish Parliament. | |
| But he is expected to make the case for a substantially enhanced role for devolution, on issues such as empowering Holyrood with full fiscal autonomy. | But he is expected to make the case for a substantially enhanced role for devolution, on issues such as empowering Holyrood with full fiscal autonomy. |
| Details of the final wording on the ballot paper will be released next year, with the publication of the Referendum Bill. | Details of the final wording on the ballot paper will be released next year, with the publication of the Referendum Bill. |
| Labour, the Tories and the Liberal Democrats have urged Mr Salmond to drop the referendum plan and focus on more immediate issues, such as tackling the recession. | Labour, the Tories and the Liberal Democrats have urged Mr Salmond to drop the referendum plan and focus on more immediate issues, such as tackling the recession. |
| The launch will come in the wake of proposals by the UK government to hand more responsibility to Holyrood, including the power to vary the rate of income tax by up to 10p in the pound, in line with the recommendations of the Calman Commission review of devolution. | The launch will come in the wake of proposals by the UK government to hand more responsibility to Holyrood, including the power to vary the rate of income tax by up to 10p in the pound, in line with the recommendations of the Calman Commission review of devolution. |
| The white paper will set out four options: the status quo; the proposals put forward by the Calman Commission; "devolution max" which would give Scotland full financial autonomy; and independence. | The white paper will set out four options: the status quo; the proposals put forward by the Calman Commission; "devolution max" which would give Scotland full financial autonomy; and independence. |
| The white paper will conclude that independence is the best option, what it describes as "Scotland's natural state". | The white paper will conclude that independence is the best option, what it describes as "Scotland's natural state". |