Tories big mistake

THE Scottish Tories are making a huge strategic mistake by opposing the SNP’s referendum on independence according to one of the party’s most senior figures.

Lord Forsyth Lord Forsyth

Lord Forsyth, who as Michael Forsyth was Secretary of State for Scotland in both Margaret Thatcher and John Major’s governments, has urged Holyrood's unionist parties to call First Minister Alex Salmond’s bluff and back such a poll.

He argued that if a vote was held in the first year of the new SNP-led administration, it would produce a majority against independence, put a stop to constitutionally uncertainty and deal a mortal blow to the SNP’s reason for existing.

Lord Forsyth spoke out as the SNP’s Scottish Executive prepares to publish its White Paper on independence, which will contain plans for a referendum, this week.

But a poll on Friday showed a significant drop in support for independence, despite more people backing the SNP administration.

While almost half of those questioned backed the Nationalists, the survey showed less than a third, only 31 per cent, supported Scotland leaving the UK and becoming independent.

Lord Forsyth said: “Saying to him we won’t have a referendum is just playing straight into his hands, because that’s what he wants.

“I think that’s a huge mistake.

“He is desperately hoping no-one will take him at his word. Mr Salmond and his colleagues want to delay a referendum because they think they will get a better vote than if they were to have a referendum now, so the unionist parties should call his bluff.”

While the SNP’s main aim is for Scotland to become independent, First Minister Alex Salmond said his party would also listen to those, such as the Liberal Democrats, who wanted more powers for Holyrood.

Mr Salmond said the White Paper would set out “a vision of independence and responsibility in the modern world”.

He added: “It will be an inclusive, governmental document making it clear that ministers believe independence and equality offer the best future for Scotland, while urging those who believe in other possibilities, such as more powers, to come into the conversation about the best future for Scotland and how we get there.”

However a spokesman for the Scottish Conservatives said the party’s focus was on “bread and butter” issues such as drugs and affordable housing.

He said: “There is a clear unionist majority both in the Parliament and in the country.

“It is time to stop all the talk of independence and focus on the bread and butter issues of how to make devolution work.”

Mr Salmond has said previously that if the Scottish electorate reject independence in a first referendum, there could be another poll on the issue at a later date.

But the Conservative spokesman said: “The country, including the business community, wants certainty. Continual referendums would be a road to continual uncertainty. It is time for the for the unionist majority to hold firm.”

In June Scottish Conservatives vice-chairman Richard Cook had said he wanted to see a referendum held as soon as possible to “clear the air” over Scotland’s constitutional future.

He said then: “My position is that we should be making the positive case for the Union, not the negative case for independence.”

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