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| Scottish independence: Moore and Salmond to meet on vote | Scottish independence: Moore and Salmond to meet on vote |
| (about 9 hours later) | |
| Scottish Secretary Michael Moore and First Minister Alex Salmond are meeting in Edinburgh to discuss the independence referendum. | Scottish Secretary Michael Moore and First Minister Alex Salmond are meeting in Edinburgh to discuss the independence referendum. |
| The SNP wants to hold the vote in autumn 2014, while the UK government wants it to take place earlier. | |
| There has also been a row over who has the proper legal powers to run it, as well as lowering the voting age. | |
| The meeting is being seen as a first step to resolving outstanding issues with the referendum arrangements. | The meeting is being seen as a first step to resolving outstanding issues with the referendum arrangements. |
| It will come before face-to-face talks between Mr Salmond and Prime Minister David Cameron. | It will come before face-to-face talks between Mr Salmond and Prime Minister David Cameron. |
| Both governments are keen to sort out the arrangements for the referendum as soon as possible and move on to a debate on the issue of independence itself. | Both governments are keen to sort out the arrangements for the referendum as soon as possible and move on to a debate on the issue of independence itself. |
| The UK government says new constitutional powers must be devolved to Holyrood to make the legally binding, but Scottish ministers have previously accused the coalition of trying to dictate the terms of the ballot. | The UK government says new constitutional powers must be devolved to Holyrood to make the legally binding, but Scottish ministers have previously accused the coalition of trying to dictate the terms of the ballot. |
| SNP ministers, who argue they could hold a valid consultative referendum without the powers, said they would welcome such a move from Westminster, but warned the coalition not to "attach strings" to the offer. | SNP ministers, who argue they could hold a valid consultative referendum without the powers, said they would welcome such a move from Westminster, but warned the coalition not to "attach strings" to the offer. |
| There is also still disagreement over the Scottish government's refusal to rule out a second question on the ballot paper, on more powers short of devolution, and giving 16 and 17-year-olds the chance to vote. | There is also still disagreement over the Scottish government's refusal to rule out a second question on the ballot paper, on more powers short of devolution, and giving 16 and 17-year-olds the chance to vote. |
| Both governments are currently running separate public consultations on the referendum issue. | Both governments are currently running separate public consultations on the referendum issue. |
| Scottish Labour leader Johann Lamont said the meeting must be treated seriously, adding: "This cannot be just another photo opportunity or box-ticking exercise for the first minister - we need meaningful discussions on a fair, transparent and decisive referendum." | Scottish Labour leader Johann Lamont said the meeting must be treated seriously, adding: "This cannot be just another photo opportunity or box-ticking exercise for the first minister - we need meaningful discussions on a fair, transparent and decisive referendum." |