The Scottish National party (SNP) administration will later launch a white paper on the issue, paving the way for a referendum bill expected to be published early next year.
However, with the nationalists representing a minority administration, the referendum on independence may struggle to come about.
The bill would establish the terms on which such a poll would be held but political analysts claim it is unlikely to pass through Holyrood.
Despite continuing opposition to the bill from opposition parties in the Scottish parliament, first minister Alex Salmond has said his party will continue to press ahead with the plans.
'Scotland's government is moving towards launching our referendum bill, as part of the national conversation,' he said in a statement on the party's website.
'I believe that we have governed responsibly and imaginatively, with the consent of people and parliament, which is why our popularity has grown.'
Criticising the move, Lib Dem chief whip Mike Rumbles said earlier this month: 'We all know that the SNP intends to publish its doomed independence referendum bill on St Andrew's Day.'
'The Scottish government is throwing taxpayers' money at trying to whip up nationalist fervour at a time when pressure on the public purse has never been greater.'
The white paper, to be launched by Mr Salmond in Edinburgh later, will lay out four different options for Scotland's constitutional future.
The options include: the status quo, the proposals for Holyrood to have more powers put forward by the Calman Commission, enhancing devolution even further so Scotland would have full fiscal autonomy and independence.
However, with the nationalists representing a minority administration, the referendum on independence may struggle to come about.
The bill would establish the terms on which such a poll would be held but political analysts claim it is unlikely to pass through Holyrood.
Despite continuing opposition to the bill from opposition parties in the Scottish parliament, first minister Alex Salmond has said his party will continue to press ahead with the plans.
'Scotland's government is moving towards launching our referendum bill, as part of the national conversation,' he said in a statement on the party's website.
'I believe that we have governed responsibly and imaginatively, with the consent of people and parliament, which is why our popularity has grown.'
Criticising the move, Lib Dem chief whip Mike Rumbles said earlier this month: 'We all know that the SNP intends to publish its doomed independence referendum bill on St Andrew's Day.'
'The Scottish government is throwing taxpayers' money at trying to whip up nationalist fervour at a time when pressure on the public purse has never been greater.'
The white paper, to be launched by Mr Salmond in Edinburgh later, will lay out four different options for Scotland's constitutional future.
The options include: the status quo, the proposals for Holyrood to have more powers put forward by the Calman Commission, enhancing devolution even further so Scotland would have full fiscal autonomy and independence.
No comments:
Post a Comment