UK Prime Minister Gambles On Early Vote For Scotland’s Independence

UK Prime Minister David Cameron has offered Scottish people the opportunity to vote on a possible breakaway from the rest of the United Kingdom, but only if the referendum occurs within the next 18 months and be legally binding without any option for greater devolved powers, reported the BBC on Monday.

UK Prime Minister David Cameron has offered Scottish people the opportunity to vote on a possible breakaway from the rest of the United Kingdom, but only if the referendum occurs within the next 18 months and be legally binding without any option for greater devolved powers, reported the BBC on Monday.

The Prime Minister’s decision came after persistent calls by the Scottish National Party (SNP) and its leader Alex Salmond for the UK government to hold a referendum in 2014; and represents a gamble on Cameron’s part, who believes that “Scottish people, at heart, don’t want a full separation from the United Kingdom.”

[quote]“It would be desperately sad if Scotland chose to leave the United Kingdom and I will do everything I can to encourage Scotland to stay in the United Kingdom, because I think that is the best for all our economies, Scotland included, and all our societies,” said Cameron on Sunday, as quoted by The Scotsman.[/quote]

But, the Scottish people deserves “something that is fair, legal and decisive,” added Cameron, and “so in the coming days we will be setting out clearly what the legal situation is and I think we need to move forward and say ‘right let’s settle this issue in a fair and decisive way’.”

The Scottish National Party has been pushing for a possible referendum on independence in 2014 since its resounding victory in Edinburgh parliamentary elections last year, and has claimed that its victory was an “overwhelming mandate” for Scottish independence in the future.

However, the Cameron government has insisted that a vote for independence should occur “sooner rather than later”, as the uncertainty over the issue could be damaging to the Scottish economy.

[quote]“You have companies and other organisations asking ‘what’s Scotland’s future, is it within the United Kingdom or not?’ That’s damaging,” warned Cameron as quoted by Reuters. “Secondly, I think it’s very unfair on the Scottish people themselves, who don’t really know when this question is going to be asked, what the question is going to be and who’s responsible for asking it.”[/quote]

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As such, an early referendum would be ideal, as “the Scottish people deserve some clarity, some decisiveness and they deserve it to be legal and binding,” added Cameron.

According to Cameron’s plan, Scotland must carry out the referendum by the summer of 2013, with the backing of the UK Government. Scottish voters would then be offered a simple “yes/no” question on independence, with the eventual decision being legally binding.

The Scottish National Party and Salmond though want to include an “independence-lite” option, which would give Scotland greater financial autonomy rather than a complete separation. Furthermore, the SNP argued that the referendum should not be “legally binding”, but rather “politically binding” because it would represent the views of the Scottish people and be impossible for any government to resist.

[quote]“The position is very clear — the Scottish government achieved an overwhelming mandate from the people of Scotland to hold the referendum in the second half of this parliamentary term, and that is exactly what we will do,” said a spokesman for Salmond on Sunday. [/quote]

Reports also suggest that a 2014 vote would be more ideal for the SNP, as it would mark the 700^th anniversary of the Battle of Bannockburn, Scotland’s most famous military victory over England, as well as see the country host numerous sporting events including the Commonwealth Games and the Ryder Cup, all of which are expected to stir up nationalistic fervour.

Cameron has already accused Salmond of trying to influence the results by trying to “create a situation where that bubbles up and happens” and has thus challenged Salmond to an earlier vote in order to test his convictions.

Salmond though have counter-accused Cameron of “sabre-rattling” and has insisted that he will not be rushed.

“As the Prime Minister has said… the referendum is indeed a matter for the Scottish people to decide,” said Salmond’s spokesman.

“The anti-independence voices at Westminster seem to be in total disarray, and the Prime Minister would be wise to hold to the position that all these matters will be determined by the people and parliament of Scotland. The Scottish Parliament is perfectly capable of doing exactly that – supported by the overwhelming mandate of the people of Scotland.”