Salmond clashes with Cameron over referendum ahead of Edinburgh meeting

Scotland’s first minister Alex Salmond has hit back after UK Prime Minister David Cameron indicated that he might attempt to take control of First Minister Alex Salmond’s promised referendum.

Mr Cameron told the BBC’s Andrew Marr that “the Scottish people deserve more clarity, some decisiveness” and a vote on that is “legal and binding”. He maintained that continued uncertainty about the referendum was damaging the Scottish economy and deterring inward investment. 

But Mr Salmond has since accused the Westminster government of interfering in Scotland’s constitutional debate in a “cackhanded way” that “should not be allowed to obscure the real debate on our nation’s future.”

Under the 1998 Scotland Act, the Union is considered a “reserved matter” that affects the constitution of the United Kingdom, which the Scottish Government is legally unable to alter with its own legislation. To make the referendum legal and binding, Holyrood would arguably first need the approval of Westminster. However, the SNP are proposing a “consultative” referendum, meaning that whilst the results would not be legally binding, international laws on self-determination would deter Westminster from vetoing the outcome. 

The Scottish Secretary, Michael Moore, made reference to these legal issues in the House of Commons last Tuesday, adding: “given the clear legal problem that exists, we want to work with the Scottish Government to provide the answer.” 

While Mr Moore said that the UK government would not suggest a date for the poll, it would recommend a single Yes or No question, with no option for devolution max.

He is expected to meet Mr. Salmond this week in Edinburgh. 

Mr Salmond told The Journal: “The Scottish Government’s long-held position that a consultative referendum is within the competence of the Scottish Parliament. That is a view endorsed in the pages of this newspaper yesterday by no less an authority than Professor Stephen Tierney, Director of the Centre for Constitutional Law at the University of Edinburgh.

“The fact that the referendum we propose would be advisory is nothing new, incidentally – we have always been perfectly clear that it would be a consultative and advisory poll, as indeed are normally all referenda conducted in the UK, including last year’s Westminster-run AV poll.

“What matters of course is the political legitimacy and moral authority which flows from such an advisory referendum. 

“If the independence referendum is to be a legally binding poll, then it would require Westminster and Holyrood to pass a so-called Section 30 order under the Scotland Act. We have absolutely no difficulty with such a proposal. The objection is that the Prime Minister, the Chancellor and others have been determined on in recent days to attach their own strings to such an order, and dictate the terms of Scotland’s referendum from London.”

Mr Salmond remains adamant that the SNP will adhere to its autumn 2014 date, as promised during their election campaign.

The First Minister called his proposed referendum date “a reasonable timetable”, adding, “it gives the right amount of time for proper consideration of such a historic decision.”

Mr Salmond also refuted the Prime Minister’s claims that the uncertainty of the referendum date was damaging the Scottish economy, saying:

“The UK director general of the Institute of Directors, Simon Walker, said he is ‘relaxed’ about the possibility of Scotland becoming independent, and the Executive Director of the IoD in Scotland, David Watt, has said he doesn’t think the referendum makes any difference to business – a view echoed by Scotland’s leading entrepreneur Jim McColl.

“The reality is some of the world’s biggest companies are voting with their feet by bringing jobs and investment to Scotland.

“An independent Scotland with access to all our nation’s resources will be the sixth most prosperous nation in the league table of OECD countries – compared to the UK’s number 16 placing.

“The threat to jobs, investment and prosperity for Scotland comes, not from the promise of self-determination, but from Cameron, Osborne and Clegg’s disastrous economic policies.”

Boyd Tunnock CBE, managing director of Tunnock’s, disagreed, saying: “It goes without saying that uncertainty about a country’s constitution and its currency is bound to affect business confidence.

“Scotland and Scottish business needs certainty and clarity.

“We need the independence referendum to be held as soon as is reasonable so that investors know where they stand. The rest of the UK is a vital market for us and I would prefer to grow my business, confident about Scotland’s place in the UK.”

Meanwhile, Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson MSP has reiterated her view that Scotland is better off within the United Kingdom, saying: “Alex Salmond can no longer run away from the reality that his continual refusal to bring forward his referendum vote is harming business in Scotland.

“The fate of Scotland’s future is about more than one man’s ego and if the First Minister truly cares about giving the Scottish people their democratic say then he should just get on with his vote on separation.

“It is now time to settle this issue once and for all so we can start concentrating on getting Scotland working again.”