WILL IT BE A two or three question referendum? A straight Yes or No; or increased powers for the Scottish Assembly, known as devo-max - and Alex Salmond’s preferred option.
The Scottish First Minister, knows that whether a referendum is called now or in 2014, the Scottish people will not vote for independence. Which is why he is eager for the devo-max option, which may not give him what he wants, but the further powers it will give him, will serve as a temporary measure until the Scottish people come to their senses. Besides, increased powers will, he hope, give his people the confidence to vote for independence in the next referendum in a few years time, or whenever Salmond has the confidence to call one with a straight in or out ballot.
Depending upon what ‘more powers’ would mean in practice if the third option was allowed and selected as an alternative to outright independence by the people of Scotland, devo-max would, in principle, put Scotland two thirds of the way toward independence.
Devo-max is a salami-slicing measure leading to full independence, and Cameron would be foolish to agree to its inclusion on the ballot paper. But then he may have no option if Alex Salmond goes ahead anyway. I have no idea what this would mean constitutionally, but whatever it would mean, if Salmond chooses to ignore it, will Cameron be prepared to withdraw all financial support to Scotland? I doubt it; for to do so, even if he were so inclined, it would only drive more of the Scottish people into the First Minister’s arms.
THERE IS HOWEVER a hand to play which may or may not put Salmond off balance, but will leave a direct impression on the Scottish people.
If there is to be a devo-max question on the ballot paper, then Cameron must allow the English a say on the matter. He must await the outcome of the Scottish vote, and then give his people their chance to say whether or not Scotland should continue as part of the United Kingdom, or not - but he must announce such an English ballot before the Scottish referendum is taken, so the Scottish people have a full picture of what is at stake.
I, like the prime minister, believe wholeheartedly in the union. But if there is to be separation then let it be clean cut and not obfuscated by Salmond with the devo-max option.
As things stand at the moment, the chess board is being dominated by Alex Salmond’s superior strategy. He knows, or at least believes, that a Tory will comply with anything that will save the union; even if only temporarily through devo-max.
Even if there were a Labour government (the midwives of devolution), they would also be at Salmond’s mercy because, the Scottish Labour MPs at Westminster would be in real trouble if Scotland became independent. If Scotland were to gain its independence, the Tories would have a permanent majority in parliament because of the loss of 41 Labour MPs.
Alex Salmond knows all this, being as he is, in control of the chess board. He has worked out every move he thinks his opponents can make; he is also so convinced of his enemies limitations that he cannot see them having an opening move.
THE SCOTTISH PEOPLE can either stay within the union – my option. Or they can vote to become independent. But the English people will not, and should not, accept Alex Salmond’s third option, which is why there needs to be an English referendum; and if we are denied this option; as we have been regarding other important votes over Europe, then we must give up on the democratic process and refuse our votes to the three main parties at the next election.
Then all three parties will either come to their senses, or another party in tune with the British people’s opinions will emerge. Such as UKIP , which has proven itself worthy of the British people’s support over Europe, and deserves the support of any member of any party who believes we must remain a nation free from all outside demands for the discontinuance of our national sovereignty
But when it comes to Scottish independence; it is the English people who must have the final say, and it had better be given them by their prime minister. We are sick of being treated as mere ballot box supplicants, who, every five years are given a say on who governs us based upon a manifesto that soon becomes a betrayal of its intentions, due to political expediency, once in power.
If our politician’s obeyed their own manifesto pledges, then referendums would no longer be needed; but unfortunately, they cannot.
Scottish independence has plagued our politics for far too long. It created the so-called compromise of devolution, championed by John Smith, the Labour leader and secured by Tony Blair. At a cost of £400m the Scottish Assembly building was created to support such a development, and the English tax payer remained passive.
At the time of devolution there were some voices that warned the Labour Party then in government of what such a development could lead to. But the death of John Smith placated those in the Labour Party who were against its introduction.
Now the inevitable is happening and Scottish independence is a practical option thanks to devolution and John Smith’s determination to see what he called the ‘settled will’ of the Scottish people given its expression.
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