The Staggers

The New Statesman’s rolling politics blog

The SNP names its date

Scottish government announces intention to hold an independence referendum in autuman 2014.

By George Eaton Published 10 January 2012 19:37

In a bid to seize the initiative back from the UK government, the SNP has just announced autumn 2014 - a few weeks after the 700th anniversary of Bannockburn - as its preferred date for a referendum on Scottish independence. Nicola Sturgeon, the party's deputy leader, broke the news a few minutes ago on Twitter.

This would be an advisory referendum (the Scottish government does not have the legal right to hold a binding referendum) designed to provide the SNP with a clear mandate to negotiate for independence. But in his statement to the Commons earlier this afternoon, the Secretary of State for Scotland, Michael Moore, denied that Alex Salmond's administration even had the right to hold this. Westminster insists that it must determine both the timing and the wording of any vote. The course is set for a dramatic constitutional collision.

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Tags: Scottish independence SNP

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20 comments

Tue, 2012-01-10 22:57 — David (not verified)

@Joe: given the disparity between tax revenues and expenditure in Scotland, we would be doing better as an independent nation state than we do currently.

Michael Moore needs to get his facts right. Strathclyde regional council held a referendum about the prospect of water privatisation in 1994 and City of Edinburgh Council held a referendum about congestion charging. Nobody questioned the legality of these, so why would anyone question the right of a larger public body (a parish council, according to John Major) to hold a consultative referendum?

Cameron has shot himself in the foot, and it looks like he is doing it with a machine gun.

Tue, 2012-01-10 23:29 — Godwinfan (not verified)

Labour is going to find it increasingly difficult to construct policy in opposition to the coalition in Scotland when it adopts a pro unionist stance. Would be Labour supporters will flock to Salmonds standard. If Salmond is successfull in delaying the vote until 2014 it will be far more damaging to Labours prospects than those of the coalition overall.

Wed, 2012-01-11 13:05 — Balwal (not verified)

Surely England should have the right to vote as well on whether or not to break away.

Wed, 2012-01-11 13:21 — Benjamin Rae (not verified)

Balwal ,
afraid it doesn't work like that.

Tue, 2012-01-10 19:49 — Benjamin Rae (not verified)

These Lib Dems are an utter disgrace. Colluding with enemy and trying to deny Scotland's right to self determination. Michael Moore, Alexander and their Tory chums are behaving outrageously

Tue, 2012-01-10 20:00 — Capitalist and Proud (not verified)

Benny, Just think you could have a vote this year. Just get on with it. You seem to think everyone else in the union has to be at the Scots beck and call. No we don't, we are allowed to set an agenda. Cameron has been brave unlike the labour and lib dems. All you have to do is have a debate and then vote.

Tue, 2012-01-10 20:24 — Alexander Mitchell (not verified)

@Benjamin,

I'm no big Lib-Dem supporter but how much stuff did Big-Eck get through in the last Scottish Parliament with the Tories? Every budget, backed by Tories, full of their amendments and their policies. If anyone can be said to have slept with the Tories it's Salmond and his ministers. Never heard the Nationalist outrage then, I believe it was a needs must line...how the tables turn with the SNP and their holier than thou stance!

Tue, 2012-01-10 20:24 — JamesB1

FREEDOM!

Tue, 2012-01-10 20:25 — Benjamin Rae (not verified)

Joe,
you really musn't believe what read in tabloid rags. Ask yourself if they may not be telling the truth

Tue, 2012-01-10 20:25 — Capitalist and Proud (not verified)

@Joe

They can decide there own future.
Of course with freedom comes responsibility.

Thats why I want out of the EU.

Tue, 2012-01-10 20:33 — Benjamin Rae (not verified)

Alexander,
I think I 've explained my position to you previously and know your aware enough to know what running a minority government entails.
The Lib Dems are in a coalition however and doing despicable things in government. The SNP minority government did fine and would hope you would accept they did nothing even remotely close to what is coming from Westminster

Tue, 2012-01-10 21:34 — kenny jenkins (not verified)

It's a joy to watch this. Cameron's using his weight like a rugby tackle. Unfortunately Salmond's a black belt in political judo and of course uses Cameron's weight against him. The noise when he hits the ground is going to be spectacular. Couldn't we cancel the Olympics and all just watch this instead?

Tue, 2012-01-10 22:19 — Tesco Shelf Stacker (not verified)

@Joe - Your confused? I'm assuming that once Scotland gets all her powers back from an elected westminster parliament - those powers will then be handed over to the unelected commission running the EU. This doesn't make sense to me? Don't get me wrong - I wish Scotland well should the scottish people vote for independence from westminster. I wish we could get a referendum on the EU. But independence from control by westminster only to then be under the control of Brussels? Now if Scotland were to be truely independent - free from both westminster and the EU - I'd be off like a shot north of the border! lol ;-)