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Scottish independence: Call for 'truce' during Glasgow 2014 Scottish independence: Call for 'truce' during Glasgow 2014
(about 11 hours later)
Former first minister Lord McConnell has called on both sides of the independence debate to declare a "truce" during the Commonwealth Games.Former first minister Lord McConnell has called on both sides of the independence debate to declare a "truce" during the Commonwealth Games.
He will explain his thinking on the issue during a House of Lords debate later.He will explain his thinking on the issue during a House of Lords debate later.
Lord McConnell, known as Jack McConnell when he was an elected representative, said neither side should use Glasgow 2014 for political gain.Lord McConnell, known as Jack McConnell when he was an elected representative, said neither side should use Glasgow 2014 for political gain.
A referendum on Scottish independence will be held on 18 September.A referendum on Scottish independence will be held on 18 September.
Voters will be asked the yes/no question: "Should Scotland be an independent country?"Voters will be asked the yes/no question: "Should Scotland be an independent country?"
Lord McConnell, former Labour MSP and now Labour peer, told BBC Radio Scotland's Good Morning Scotland programme: "There is a genuine concern that there will be a temptation on both sides of this debate in the period of the Commonwealth Games, given the numbers around and the focus on Scotland, to engage in a continuing debate on the referendum campaign and therefore I think it would be wise, six months before the games, for both sides to say that they will agree a truce for that two week period.
He continued his message: "Campaign relentlessly between now and then and of course afterwards, but for that two week period let's concentrate on Glasgow and Scotland and winning some gold medals for Scotland.
"I don't think it is a lot to ask both sides of politicians to lay off for that fortnight and to ensure that nobody involved in the Games be distracted or concerned by what they say and do and achieve might be either exploited or used by either side in the aftermath."
Scotland's sports minister Shona Robison said she did not share Lord McConnell's concern that politicians would hijack the Games.
Ms Robison said: "Politicians of all persuasions across the debate will enjoy the Games, will be involved as appropriate but I don't think there is any willingness or desire to hijack the Games.
"What we all want is for it all to be a huge success for Scotland, we have invested a huge amount of time and resources in what will be Scotland's biggest sporting event we have ever had. Everyone wants it to be a success and that will be a sporting success."
She added: "The backdrop to the Games is that it has been achieved on a cross-party basis. That puts us in a very strong position to continue that cross party working right the way through the referendum. We have worked through a general election, through a Scottish election, through a local election and despite rigorous debate through those elections we still manage to sustain cross party working around the Games."
Meanwhile, the Law Society of Scotland has said both sides of the independence debate need to do more in 2014 to engage and inform voters.Meanwhile, the Law Society of Scotland has said both sides of the independence debate need to do more in 2014 to engage and inform voters.
It commissioned a poll from Ipsos Mori which indicated that only 14% of voters said they were "very well informed" about the issues being debated in the campaign so far.It commissioned a poll from Ipsos Mori which indicated that only 14% of voters said they were "very well informed" about the issues being debated in the campaign so far.
Bruce Beveridge, president of the Law Society of Scotland, said: "This is an exciting and quite possibly pivotal time for Scotland. The importance of the question facing us in September, described as the biggest for our nation in 300 years, demands a thorough and worthy debate.Bruce Beveridge, president of the Law Society of Scotland, said: "This is an exciting and quite possibly pivotal time for Scotland. The importance of the question facing us in September, described as the biggest for our nation in 300 years, demands a thorough and worthy debate.
"This poll shows that, with only nine months to go, many Scots still do not feel properly informed."This poll shows that, with only nine months to go, many Scots still do not feel properly informed.
"Over half say the debate is not covering the issues they care about. And as many as two thirds are finding it difficult to decide whether or not the information they are getting is true.""Over half say the debate is not covering the issues they care about. And as many as two thirds are finding it difficult to decide whether or not the information they are getting is true."