Scottish independence: referendum details finalised next month

Details of Scotland’s independence referendum are on course to be finalised next month after the Prime Minister appeared to have won his battle for a single question on the ballot paper. Speaking after meeting David Cameron in 10 Downing Street, Alex Salmond said there was “goodwill” towards having the referendum’s rules settled in the “next few weeks”.

It is understood that a deal agreeing the arrangements for the vote is to be agreed by October 22, paving the way for the Prime Minister to transfer the necessary legal powers to the Scottish Parliament.

The main stumbling block has been Mr Salmond lobbying for the inclusion of a second question, which would ask voters if they want the Scottish Parliament to have more tax-raising powers.

This would give him an insurance policy in case they reject separation but Mr Cameron has made clear he will only transfer the legal powers if the referendum poses a single, straight question on independence.

The First Minister’s agreement that a deal is close appeared to signify that he is preparing to surrender. His case has been hampered by the lack of any defined option for extending devolution that could appear on a ballot paper. 

Downing Street described the talks, which were on the margins of a regular meeting of leaders from the UK's devolved administrations, as a “constructive” stock-take.
Formal discussions between the two leaders are due to take place next month when they are expected to sign off on the rules.
The groundwork is being laid in preparatory talks between Nicola Sturgeon, Mr Salmond’s deputy, and Michael Moore, the Scottish Secretary, the latest round of which also happened today.
The First Minister said: “Within the negotiations, there was goodwill to having this matter settled in the next few weeks in terms of the format of the referendum and then getting on to the real substance, which is the arguments for an independent Scotland.”
However, he was angered by new comments by Iain Duncan Smith, the Work and Pensions Secretary, who claimed a separate Scotland could not afford its annual £15 billion benefits bill.
Mr Salmond said “noises from outside like - like Iain Duncan Smith - could still blow things off course”.
A Downing Street spokesman said: “It was a constructive exchange, and the Prime Minister remains committed to and hopeful of reaching agreement to enable a Section 30 Order to be tabled in both parliaments by October 22.
“The Prime Minister looks forward to a further meeting with the First Minister next month.”
Michael Moore, the Scottish Secretary, this week said that the legal instrument transferring the powers, known as a Section 30 order, will only be passed if it specifies a single question.
If this happens, the SNP-dominated Scottish Parliament will have the final say over the wording of the question and the date of the vote, which has been pencilled in for autumn 2014.
It is understood Mr Cameron is also willing to concede Mr Salmond’s demand to extend the franchise so 16 and 17-year-olds can vote in the referendum.

By Simon Johnson

.telegraph.co.uk

19/9/12

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