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Plans envisage Scottish independence from March 2016 Plans envisage Scottish independence from March 2016
(about 3 hours later)
 
The Scottish government has drawn up a detailed paper outlining the possible transition to independence, BBC Scotland can reveal.The Scottish government has drawn up a detailed paper outlining the possible transition to independence, BBC Scotland can reveal.
Under the plans, based on a "yes" vote in a 2014 referendum, independence day for Scotland would be in March 2016.Under the plans, based on a "yes" vote in a 2014 referendum, independence day for Scotland would be in March 2016.
The first elections to an independent parliament would follow in May.The first elections to an independent parliament would follow in May.
The paper challenges UK ministers to open talks on the transition now, but the prime minister has said he will not pre-negotiate independence.The paper challenges UK ministers to open talks on the transition now, but the prime minister has said he will not pre-negotiate independence.
The plans have been produced by the Scottish government, with a foreword provided by Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon.The plans have been produced by the Scottish government, with a foreword provided by Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon.
They set out the transition from a "yes" vote in the autumn 2014 referendum to independence day in March 2016.They set out the transition from a "yes" vote in the autumn 2014 referendum to independence day in March 2016.
Written constitutionWritten constitution
It is envisaged that Scottish ministers would join with other parties and civic Scotland in negotiating the terms of independence with the UK government.It is envisaged that Scottish ministers would join with other parties and civic Scotland in negotiating the terms of independence with the UK government.
That would result in a" legal constitutional platform" comprising the division of assets and liabilities, new global connections, including with the EU, and Scotland's retention of the monarchy.That would result in a" legal constitutional platform" comprising the division of assets and liabilities, new global connections, including with the EU, and Scotland's retention of the monarchy.
The paper says Scotland should have a written constitution "which reflects the values of the people of Scotland".The paper says Scotland should have a written constitution "which reflects the values of the people of Scotland".
It says the preparation of that constitution should commence after independence "under the auspices of the independent Scottish Parliament".It says the preparation of that constitution should commence after independence "under the auspices of the independent Scottish Parliament".
It goes on: "When the process of determining the constitution gets under way, the Scottish government will be just one of many voices."It goes on: "When the process of determining the constitution gets under way, the Scottish government will be just one of many voices."
SNP leaders want the legislation which would create an independent Scotland enacted at Holyrood, by agreement with the UK.SNP leaders want the legislation which would create an independent Scotland enacted at Holyrood, by agreement with the UK.
Under the plans, Westminster's legislative role would be to end the Treaty of Union.Under the plans, Westminster's legislative role would be to end the Treaty of Union.
'Preparatory discussions''Preparatory discussions'
The paper says: "The Scottish government's intention is that after a 'yes' vote in 2014, arrangements will be made, in the spirit of the Edinburgh Agreement, for the transfer of sovereignty to the people of Scotland in time for the 2016 Scottish Parliamentary elections and for a constitutional platform to be put in place that will provide the basis on which our independent parliament and government will operate."The paper says: "The Scottish government's intention is that after a 'yes' vote in 2014, arrangements will be made, in the spirit of the Edinburgh Agreement, for the transfer of sovereignty to the people of Scotland in time for the 2016 Scottish Parliamentary elections and for a constitutional platform to be put in place that will provide the basis on which our independent parliament and government will operate."
The Scottish government also uses the paper to repeat calls for the government at Westminster to engage in "preparatory discussions" about the transition to independence in the event of a "yes" vote.The Scottish government also uses the paper to repeat calls for the government at Westminster to engage in "preparatory discussions" about the transition to independence in the event of a "yes" vote.
The paper says: "The Electoral Commission has recommended that the Scottish and UK governments should engage in such discussions to agree the process that will follow a 'yes' vote.The paper says: "The Electoral Commission has recommended that the Scottish and UK governments should engage in such discussions to agree the process that will follow a 'yes' vote.
"The Scottish government agrees and looks to the UK government to work with it to that end.""The Scottish government agrees and looks to the UK government to work with it to that end."
UK ministers have said they have already begun setting out views on the post-referendum process.UK ministers have said they have already begun setting out views on the post-referendum process.
However, David Cameron has said he would not ''pre-negotiate Scotland's exit from the United Kingdom".However, David Cameron has said he would not ''pre-negotiate Scotland's exit from the United Kingdom".