By Jennifer Russell
Picture Courtesy of Google Images
The Scottish National Party are set to table a bill for an Independence Referendum on St. Andrews day 2010. The bill must first pass through the Scottish Parliament before the Scottish people can vote in the referendum. It faces being rejected because of lack of Parliamentary support.
As the SNP are a minority government, they need more support to pass the Bill. The Liberal Democrats, Conservatives and Labour all oppose the Bill. However, the Green Party and Independent Margo MacDonald are in favour.
The Referendum Bill if passed will allow the Scottish public to not only vote “yes” or “no” for independence but it will also have a third question that gives the option of extending the powers of the Parliament but not independence. However, a “yes” vote in the referendum would only mark the start of talks with the UK government, there would still be a long way to go.
First Minister, Alex Salmond said “The Scottish Government will bring forward a Referendum Bill next year – exactly as we set out in our manifesto – and we are minded to include a ‘more powers’ option in the Bill, alongside the option of independence and equality for Scotland.”
An Independent Scotland, for some, seems to be the way forward. There is ”consensus for change” needed.
SNP Minister Michael Russell stated his views on an Independent Scotland, ”I firmly believe that Scotland will not fulfil its potential until the powers of the Parliament are complete and Scotland is independent. Independence would provide the opportunity to make decisions for ourselves – it would bring new rights as well as new responsibilities.”
Those against the proposed Bill, strongly believe that independence is not the way forward. Scotland does need more power, however independence is not the only option.
Liberal Democrat, MSP Ross Finnie commented that, “The Liberal Democrats will not support the SNP’s rigged Referendum Bill. The party overwelmingly rejected it at the autumn conference earlier this month. I have never believed that independence is the best deal for Scotland. But i do think that we need to build on the current devolution settlement. Our Parliament needs real powers, powers for purpose. That is why the Liberal Democrats have driven forward the campaign for a real home settlement and are determined to realise the Calman Commission’s proposals for a beefed-up Scottish Parliament.”
SNP believe that as they were elected in 2007, with Independence as there main manifesto pledge, then it must be a popular issue. The jury is still out.
“We all have strong and passionately held views on Scotland’s future – let us all be prepared to take our case to the people, in whose name we are elected and in whose interests we act.” First Minister, Alex Salmond.
