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Scottish independence: Clegg and Miliband challenge SNP Scottish independence: Clegg and Miliband challenge SNP
(about 9 hours later)
The deputy prime minister and Labour leader are to launch an attack on independence in speeches to their Scottish party conferences.The deputy prime minister and Labour leader are to launch an attack on independence in speeches to their Scottish party conferences.
Nick Clegg will say the SNP must come clean on its plans, while Ed Miliband will argue the move would undermine work to build a fair society.Nick Clegg will say the SNP must come clean on its plans, while Ed Miliband will argue the move would undermine work to build a fair society.
Liberal Democrats are kicking off their spring conference in Inverness, while Labour meets in Dundee.Liberal Democrats are kicking off their spring conference in Inverness, while Labour meets in Dundee.
The Scottish government is planning an independence referendum in 2014.The Scottish government is planning an independence referendum in 2014.
In their keynote speeches, the Lib Dem and Labour leaders will also set out their plans for boosting the economy.In their keynote speeches, the Lib Dem and Labour leaders will also set out their plans for boosting the economy.
On independence, Mr Clegg said the nationalists still had many questions to answer on how an independent Scotland would work.On independence, Mr Clegg said the nationalists still had many questions to answer on how an independent Scotland would work.
And he called for the referendum to be held "sooner, rather than later", with a single, clear question on the ballot asking whether people support Scotland going it alone, rather than including a second one on more powers for Holyrood.And he called for the referendum to be held "sooner, rather than later", with a single, clear question on the ballot asking whether people support Scotland going it alone, rather than including a second one on more powers for Holyrood.
Speaking ahead of the conference, the deputy prime minister said he favoured more devolution of powers to the Scottish Parliament.
Meanwhile, Mr Miliband will tell members of the Scottish Labour party faithful that people across the UK "owe obligations to each other", which would be thwarted by ending the union.
The Labour leader will seek to say his two main rivals - the Tories at Westminster and the SNP at Holyrood - that neither offers a prospectus for "rekindling the hopes" of ordinary working people.
The Tories, he will say, are "wedded to the old ways", which generated the economic crisis.
And the SNP, he'll argue, project an image of progressive politics, but negate that through such policies as their desire to cut corporation tax.
Once upon a time, it was Labour and the Liberal Democrats which were the main political force in Scotland.Once upon a time, it was Labour and the Liberal Democrats which were the main political force in Scotland.
They served for eight years in coalition government at Holyrood, but, the voters' desire for change has seen the SNP win more popular support at the polls than any other party since devolution in 1999.They served for eight years in coalition government at Holyrood, but, the voters' desire for change has seen the SNP win more popular support at the polls than any other party since devolution in 1999.
Ahead of the independence referendum - likely to be held in autumn 2014 - Labour and the Lib Dems face the challenge of teaming up to make the case for the union.Ahead of the independence referendum - likely to be held in autumn 2014 - Labour and the Lib Dems face the challenge of teaming up to make the case for the union.
At the same time though, they also have to rebuild their parties in the face of tough losses at the last Scottish election.At the same time though, they also have to rebuild their parties in the face of tough losses at the last Scottish election.
For Labour, it has to up its role as an effective main opposition party and government-in-waiting.For Labour, it has to up its role as an effective main opposition party and government-in-waiting.
And the Lib Dems have to counteract their perceived unpopularity in Scotland, after doing a deal with the Tories at Westminster.And the Lib Dems have to counteract their perceived unpopularity in Scotland, after doing a deal with the Tories at Westminster.
Before the referendum though, comes the council elections in May, which could well bring further electoral woes for the two parties.Before the referendum though, comes the council elections in May, which could well bring further electoral woes for the two parties.
Speaking ahead of the conference, the deputy prime minister said he favoured more devolution of powers to the Scottish Parliament.
Meanwhile, Mr Miliband will tell members of the Scottish Labour party faithful that people across the UK "owe obligations to each other", which would be thwarted by ending the union.
The Labour leader will seek to say his two main rivals - the Tories at Westminster and the SNP at Holyrood - that neither offers a prospectus for "rekindling the hopes" of ordinary working people.
The Tories, he will say, are "wedded to the old ways", which generated the economic crisis.
And the SNP, he'll argue, project an image of progressive politics, but negate that through such policies as their desire to cut corporation tax.
Creating a new border between Scotland and England, Mr Miliband will say, will not enhance economic fairness.Creating a new border between Scotland and England, Mr Miliband will say, will not enhance economic fairness.
Rather, the objective should be for the nations of the United Kingdom to work together.Rather, the objective should be for the nations of the United Kingdom to work together.
On the economy, Mr Miliband will say Labour's focus is on jobs and young people, with a tax policy based on credits and help for hard-working families.On the economy, Mr Miliband will say Labour's focus is on jobs and young people, with a tax policy based on credits and help for hard-working families.
At the same time, he will say the SNP wants corporation tax cut to 12%, to help big business.At the same time, he will say the SNP wants corporation tax cut to 12%, to help big business.
Meanwhile, Mr Clegg will tell his party's conference that the Lib Dems, as part of the UK coalition government, have worked to repair the economy after the "mess" left behind by Labour.Meanwhile, Mr Clegg will tell his party's conference that the Lib Dems, as part of the UK coalition government, have worked to repair the economy after the "mess" left behind by Labour.
He will add: "As we build a new economy from the rubble of the old, Liberal Democrats in the Coalition Government are giving you real, practical help in tough times.He will add: "As we build a new economy from the rubble of the old, Liberal Democrats in the Coalition Government are giving you real, practical help in tough times.
"That's why we have cut your taxes, even as we've had to take difficult decisions to raise money elsewhere."That's why we have cut your taxes, even as we've had to take difficult decisions to raise money elsewhere.
"Thanks to Liberal Democrats, by raising the point at which you start paying income tax, we put £200 a year back in your pockets last year and another £130 from next month.""Thanks to Liberal Democrats, by raising the point at which you start paying income tax, we put £200 a year back in your pockets last year and another £130 from next month."
Mr Clegg also admitted his party faced a severe electoral test in the forthcoming local council elections in Scotland, in May.Mr Clegg also admitted his party faced a severe electoral test in the forthcoming local council elections in Scotland, in May.