Scots leader in clash over referendum
Source: Agencies |
January 12, 2012, Thursday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
SCOTTISH leader Alex Salmond clashed with the British government yesterday by insisting that the people of Scotland should set the terms of a referendum on independence, not British politicians.
British Prime Minister David Cameron's government favors allowing the Scots a vote on whether their country should become independent, but suggested Scotland should choose between separation and the status quo.
But Salmond told the BBC that the Scottish parliament should decide how to frame the question posed to voters. He said Scotland should also be allowed to decide if it did prefer a third option of more independence from Britain that stops short of total separation.
Salmond's Scottish National Party has long campaigned for Scotland to leave the United Kingdom. Scotland now has a legislature that governs its own internal affairs and social policies, but cedes control of foreign policy and defense to London.
Salmond has said he will hold a vote in the fall of 2014. Cameron - who opposes any breakup of the UK, which also includes Wales and Northern Ireland - has urged Scotland to make its intentions clear "sooner rather than later."
Scottish minister Michael Moore, who has responsibility for Scotland in Cameron's cabinet, told lawmakers that Scotland's parliament did not have the legal power to hold a referendum and that any plans must be approved by Britain's parliament.
But Salmond insists the Scottish parliament does have the right. "This must be a referendum built and run in Scotland, accountable to the Scottish Parliament," he said.
British Prime Minister David Cameron's government favors allowing the Scots a vote on whether their country should become independent, but suggested Scotland should choose between separation and the status quo.
But Salmond told the BBC that the Scottish parliament should decide how to frame the question posed to voters. He said Scotland should also be allowed to decide if it did prefer a third option of more independence from Britain that stops short of total separation.
Salmond's Scottish National Party has long campaigned for Scotland to leave the United Kingdom. Scotland now has a legislature that governs its own internal affairs and social policies, but cedes control of foreign policy and defense to London.
Salmond has said he will hold a vote in the fall of 2014. Cameron - who opposes any breakup of the UK, which also includes Wales and Northern Ireland - has urged Scotland to make its intentions clear "sooner rather than later."
Scottish minister Michael Moore, who has responsibility for Scotland in Cameron's cabinet, told lawmakers that Scotland's parliament did not have the legal power to hold a referendum and that any plans must be approved by Britain's parliament.
But Salmond insists the Scottish parliament does have the right. "This must be a referendum built and run in Scotland, accountable to the Scottish Parliament," he said.
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