Who should choose the timing of the independence referendum? Who should be allowed to vote, and what should the questions be? A furious row has broken out between Holyrood and Westminster governments over Scotland’s future – the Scottish government says it has a mandate from the Scottish people, but Westminster argues that the Scottish Parliament does not have the constitutional powers to conduct the referendum, and cannot do so without it’s approval.
The row broke out last weekend when Prime Minister David Cameron made clear that he wanted to resolve the ‘legal uncertainty’ surrounding the vote and said: “We want to work with the Scottish government to give the people of Scotland of a fair and more decisive question”.
Scotland’s Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon was quick to respond, accusing Mr Cameron of ‘a blatant attempt to interfere in a decision that should be for the Scottish government and Scottish people’. She added: “It’s the attachment of conditions that gives the game away – this is Westminster trying to interfere. Perhaps I should be relaxed about that because the more a Tory government tries to interfere in Scottish democracy, then I suspect the greater the support for independence will be, but there is a key issue of democratic principle here”.
Secretary of State for Scotland Michael Moore weighed in to the debate on Tuesday when he outlined the Westminster government’s position, but he struck a more conciliatory note. “I think the important point is that we would not want to carry out the whole referendum process, make the decision at the ballot box and then discover somebody somewhere wanted to challenge that. Isn’t it better to resolve that potential, get rid of any risk – which I think is clear-cut risk? Let’s get on with it”.
He went on: “I am happy to work with Alex (Salmond) to sort out the legal issue and then let’s have a debate about whether or not Scotland should be part of the UK or not – that is the crux of this matter”.
Since it’s election victory in May the SNP government at Holyrood has said that the referendum will take place in the second half of the current parliament. Last night, that position was firmed up when the First Minister announced that the referendum will be held in autumn 2014.
Mr Salmond said: “The date for the referendum has to be the autumn of 2014. That’s because this is the biggest decision that Scotland has made for 300 years. If you are going to do things properly and have the debate in the way it must be had then that is the date we are going to move towards”.
The Scottish government plans to launch a consultation on the referendum later this month.
Westminster and Holyrood disagree over a number of issues. The UK parliament favours a straight yes or no question on the ballot paper, while the Scottish government favours a third ‘devo-max’ option that would give more powers to Scotland short of absolute independence. The Scottish government would also like 16 and 17 year olds to take part in the vote, but this is opposed by Westminster. Also disputed is the timing of the referendum vote. Westminster wants the ballot to take place as early as possible while the Scottish government believes the ballot should take place in autumn 2014.
Unless a consensus is reached, it’s likely that these constitutional issues could well end up being decided by the Supreme Court, the highest court in the land. Scotland’s biggest decision for over 300 years may yet be delayed beyond 2014.
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