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SNP outlining independence plans SNP outlining independence plans
(9 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.
Brian TaylorBBC Scotland political editor The white paper today will canvass four options:Brian TaylorBBC Scotland political editor The white paper today will canvass four options:
Firstly, the status quo;Firstly, the status quo;
Secondly the Calman Commission's relatively limited reforms to devolution;Secondly the Calman Commission's relatively limited reforms to devolution;
Thirdly what they are calling Devolution Max, which is pretty broadly financial autonomy with everything other than defence and foreign affairs devolved to the Scottish parliament;Thirdly what they are calling Devolution Max, which is pretty broadly financial autonomy with everything other than defence and foreign affairs devolved to the Scottish parliament;
And finally the option of independence.And finally the option of independence.
No surprise that the White Paper will conclude that independence gives Scotland the best position, both in terms of economic development powers and in terms of a place in the world.No surprise that the White Paper will conclude that independence gives Scotland the best position, both in terms of economic development powers and in terms of a place in the world.
That is the Scottish governmental position but the SNP are also trying tactically to raise the bar such that the default position below that becomes - not Calman - but Devolution Max.That is the Scottish governmental position but the SNP are also trying tactically to raise the bar such that the default position below that becomes - not Calman - but Devolution Max.
Mr Salmond said there had always been "sceptics" who had told him in the past that devolution would never happen or that the SNP would never form the Scottish government.Mr Salmond said there had always been "sceptics" who had told him in the past that devolution would never happen or that the SNP would never form the Scottish government.
He added: "So when the same sceptical people say we can't advance and increase the powers of the parliament towards independence, then I think the track record is that we have established a parliament and we have now got a government who believes in independence in charge of that parliament.He added: "So when the same sceptical people say we can't advance and increase the powers of the parliament towards independence, then I think the track record is that we have established a parliament and we have now got a government who believes in independence in charge of that parliament.
"As long as we can take people with us and explain the benefits of independence, then we have got a pretty good chance of getting to the independence goal.""As long as we can take people with us and explain the benefits of independence, then we have got a pretty good chance of getting to the independence goal."
The Scottish Greens, who have two seats at Holyrood, are the only party represented at Holyrood who have given their support to an independence vote. The Scottish Greens, who have two seats, are the only party represented at Holyrood who have given their support to an independence vote.
The Greens support more powers for Scotland and a democratic vote to determine what those should be.The Greens support more powers for Scotland and a democratic vote to determine what those should be.
The SNP, which has 47 members in the Scottish Parliament would need the support of the Greens and 16 other MSPs to gain a majority for the referendum. The SNP, which has 47 members in the Scottish Parliament, would need the support of the Greens and 16 other MSPs to gain a majority for the referendum.
The main opposition parties in Scotland are united in their opposition to a referendum.
Labour's Scottish leader Iain Gray said agreeing to a vote would affect the efforts of Scotland's politicians to combat the recession.Labour's Scottish leader Iain Gray said agreeing to a vote would affect the efforts of Scotland's politicians to combat the recession.
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: "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 maintained that Labour did not fear a referendum but said it would be damaging to Scotland.He maintained that Labour did not fear a referendum but said it would be damaging to Scotland.
'Navel-gazing''Navel-gazing'
He added: "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."He added: "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."
Murdo Fraser, deputy leader of the Scottish Conservative Party, also defended his party's outright opposition to a referendum.Murdo Fraser, deputy leader of the Scottish Conservative Party, also defended his party's outright opposition to a referendum.
He told BBC Scotland: "I don't see an argument for independence at any time.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."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.""That is what we should be focusing on now not wasting our time on constitutional navel-gazing."
All three opposition parties are against the referendumAll three opposition parties are against the referendum
Liberal Democrat Scottish leader Tavish Scott said: "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.Liberal Democrat Scottish leader Tavish Scott said: "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.
"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."
He said a referendum was not the best way to allow voters to have their say.He said a referendum was not the best way to allow voters to have their say.
Mr Scott added: "It's called a general election and that's what all those people will have in the spring of next year when Gordon Brown eventually stumbles to the palace to ask the Queen for a dissolution of parliament.Mr Scott added: "It's called a general election and that's what all those people will have in the spring of next year when Gordon Brown eventually stumbles to the palace to ask the Queen for a dissolution of parliament.
"There will be that choice because as the SNP only have one policy and that's independence, then people who vote for the SNP have that opportunity to cast that vote in that way.""There will be that choice because as the SNP only have one policy and that's independence, then people who vote for the SNP have that opportunity to cast that vote in that way."
The first minister has previously said he would consider a referendum question on more powers for the Scottish Parliament.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.
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.