Cameron’s great Scottish gamble: Premier wants to force early vote on independence

January 9th, 2012

FAKE NEWS for the Zionist agenda

Change in law could make referendum binding – but only if held within a fixed time period

By
James Chapman

Last updated at 12:34 AM on 9th January 2012

David Cameron is drawing up explosive plans to force an early referendum on Scottish independence.

The Prime Minister is preparing to call the bluff of Scotland’s nationalist First Minister Alex Salmond by changing the law to allow him to go to the polls – but only if he dares to do so within the next 18 months.

Mr Cameron said yesterday a referendum should be held ‘sooner rather than later’, adding: ‘I don’t think we should just let this go on year after year.’

Call my bluff: Prime Minister David (left) could change the law to allow Scotland's First Minister Alex Salmond (right) to hold a referendum

Call my bluff: Prime Minister David (left) could change the law to allow Scotland’s First Minister Alex Salmond (right) to hold a referendum

Amid growing alarm in London that support is inching upwards in Scotland for the break-up of the 300-year-old Union with England, the Government will publish legal advice this week suggesting a poll ordered by Holyrood could only be ‘consultative’.

For the result to be legally binding on the UK government, Westminster will have to agree – though it would be unthinkable for Parliament simply to ignore a ‘yes’ vote.

Mr Cameron is now planning to amend the law to allow a binding referendum, but within a fixed time period.

The Government will also launch a consultation with the Scottish people on the wording of the referendum.

A question of timing: Scotland's First Minister Alex Salmond wants to hold a referendum on the anniversary of the Battle of Bannockburn, when he hopes nationalist feelings will be running high

A question of timing: Scotland’s First Minister Alex Salmond wants to hold a referendum on the anniversary of the Battle of Bannockburn, when he hopes nationalist feelings will be running high

The move is a huge gamble, which some
fear may backfire if Mr Salmond is able to claim Westminster is trying
to dictate to Holyrood.

The Scottish leader is plotting to hold a referendum in 2014, to coincide with the 700th anniversary of the Battle of Bannockburn, Scotland’s most famous military victory over England, and the country’s hosting of the Commonwealth Games, when he hopes nationalist sentiment will be at its peak.

The Scottish Nationalists also hope voters will be angry after several years of spending cuts implemented by an ‘English’ government.

While polls suggest a majority of Scots want to maintain the Union with England, support for independence is creeping ever higher. There are also fears that Mr Salmond wants to try to ‘rig’ the referendum with a confusing question – probably offering more options than a simple ‘yes’ or ‘no’.

Voters could also be given the choice of ‘devo max’, in which Scotland would be granted much greater financial freedom but would remain within the UK.

Mr Cameron said yesterday: ‘The uncertainty about this issue I think is damaging to Scotland and Scotland’s economy, because you have companies and other organisations asking “well what’s Scotland’s future? Is it within the United Kingdom or not?” That’s damaging.’

The Prime Minister said the United Kingdom was ‘one of the most successful partnerships in the history of the world’ and should be fought hard for.

‘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,’ he said.

Going it alone: Scottish MPs at Holyrood could run a legally binding referendum on whether to split from England

‘Let’s not drift apart. I think he [Alex Salmond] knows the Scottish people at heart do not want a full separation and so he is trying to create a situation where that bubbles up and happens whereas I think we need some decisiveness so we can clear up this issue.

‘I don’t think we should just let this go on year after year… My view is that sooner rather than later would be better.’

Government sources suggested the new Scotland Bill, which is still making its way through parliament, may be amended to allow Holyrood to run a legally binding poll – but include a ‘sunset clause’ setting a time limit.

Lib Dem Chief Secretary to the Treasury Danny Alexander, who represents a Scottish seat at Westminster, said: ‘Scotland cannot afford – literally cannot afford – a long period of dithering and delay from Alex Salmond, because what that will cost is jobs and growth in the Scottish economy.’

A spokesman for Mr Salmond said: ‘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.’

According to the latest poll, conducted by Ipsos Mori last month, 38 per cent of Scots now favour independence – three points up since the summer.

Battle of bannockburn

Here’s what other readers have said. Why not add your thoughts,
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Fine. If the Welsh and Scots want independence let them have it. But I hope it will be self financing and the English taxpayer will not have to pay a penny in support or aid.

– sohud, hounslow, 09/1/2012 06:12

Its funny reading the comments about how Scotland wouldn’t be able to go it alone as if the Mighty English are solely carrying them!! Of course Scotland would be able to go it alone but why break up a successful union and all that comes with that union, for example our proud armed forces. It would also open a can of worms for Wales NI to get independance, not to mention the cost of breaking up the union. I am in favour of the British union and I feel that we should be concentrating on breaking from the European Union as it does not work.

– Cobb, Rio, Brazil, 09/1/2012 06:08

Good news in a way. If they have independence, less chance of Labour getting back into power here. Bring it on. Good luck Scotland.

– J.P., Manchester, 09/1/2012 05:53

Mr Cameron said yesterday a referendum should be held ‘sooner rather than later’, adding: ‘I don’t think we should just let this go on year after year.’
So it,s important to have a referendum on Scotland quickly but he is prepared to let the referendum on the EU drag on for decades. Talk about rank, brass neck hypocrisy !

– Duncan W, Samui, Thailand, 09/1/2012 05:53

A Referendum is the democratic way forward, so why not. Go for it Scotland. Will be harder for Cameron to refuse the rest of us our Referendum on Europe then.

– Phil, Diss, Norfolk., 09/1/2012 05:52

And they can have Labour and suffer ruin!
We will have the Tories and blossom !
And whilst we’re at it. Let them have their Scottish money. We’ll see how they try to balance the economy!

– Garfield, Londinium, 09/1/2012 05:51

If the Scottish spongers disassociate themselves from the rest of the UK then great.
More money back into the England, Wales and NI.

– Garfield, Londinium, 09/1/2012 05:47

Let them have a Referendum. I see no problem with that as long as I have a vote on the membership of the EU

– David, Herts, 09/1/2012 05:46

If it means no more Scottish MP’s ruining our country that sooner rather than later please.

– Terry Twelve Pints, In the pub, 09/1/2012 05:43

Let them have independence, it should be their choice. Then let the rest of us have a referendum on the EU. Fairs fair.

– Sam, London, 09/1/2012 05:39

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