SNP tables legislation for independence referendum

First Minister Alex Salmond has announced plans for a referendum on independence as part of the Scottish Government's plans for the next parliamentary year.

The plans form the flagship bill in the SNP’s third legislative programme, which - if successful - could herald a vote on Scottish independence as early as 2010.

Announcing his plans to MSPs, Mr Salmond said: "I want Scotland to have the same responsibilities and opportunities as similar nations. Until we can use all the economic and financial levers available to every other government in the world, Scotland will always be at a competitive disadvantage.

He continued: "This government was elected with a popular mandate to put the question of Scotland's future to the vote in a referendum.

"It is time for the people of Scotland to have their say. Not everyone will agree with our vision for the future, we know that. But the people of Scotland must be heard. This parliament should not stand in their way. Let the people speak."

However as a minority administration with a lack of parliamentary support among opposition parties, the SNP are unlikely to be successful.

The Scottish Government has also announced that the referendum could be a multi-option one, even including the changes in taxation proposed earlier in the year by Sir Kenneth Calman’s Commission on devolution.

The leaders of the three leading opposition parties have criticised the plans, arguing that Salmond is concentrating his efforts on independence at a time when a concerted response to the recession is more important to the lives of the Scottish people.

Scottish Labour leader Iain Gray said the Scottish Government should be focusing on improving the economy and tackling crime.

He said: "This year's flagship, the referendum bill, was pre-announced last year. It starts with even less support than the late unlamented council tax bill of last year. With its rigged question to suit the SNP, its rigged timetable to suit the SNP and its misplaced prioritisation to suit the SNP, it is a flagship begging to be scuttled."

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Tavish Scott also cited priorities besides independence.
He said: "We will not support the government when the SNP's internal party politics are more important than the country. The referendum is about the SNP. The recession and jobs is about Scotland. We will put Scotland before the SNP."

Scottish Conservative leader Annabel Goldie criticised Salmond for failing to tackle the pressing issues of the economy describing him as a "lone voice representing a minority view".

The Chancellor and Edinburgh South West MP Alistair Darling also joined the criticism of the referendum bill, telling an audience at the Scottish CBI that trade with the rest of the UK remained the bedrock of the Scottish economy. He told his audience that Scottish international exports numbered £20bn in recent years, but pointed out the figure "impressive as it is, is dwarfed by Scotland's trade within the UK which amounts to about £36bn a year."

The SNP’s legislative programme includes plans for a total of 13 bills including the Alcohol Bill which would introduce minimum pricing. It would also give licensing boards the power to consider raising the minimum age for buying drink to 21 in their areas.

Although there has been opposition to this move, medical experts have given it their support, citing Scotland's alcohol problem, which they estimate costs £2.25bn per year.

Other proposals include a Housing Bill to end the right-to-buy policy in social housing due to severe council house shortages, proposals for a replacement to the Forth road bridge, and legislation reforming crofting practices in Scotland’s rural and island communities.