Cameron denies 'dictating' terms of Scottish referendum

[T_i_B]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-16463961

David Cameron has said he is not trying to "dictate" the terms of a Scottish independence referendum.

Government sources have denied reports Westminster would set an 18-month limit on holding the poll, if it transfers powers for a binding vote to Holyrood. But ministers may insist on a "yes or no" vote on independence - without the option of more powers for Scotland.

Scotland's Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon accused Westminster of "trying to interfere in Scottish democracy".

The prime minister's spokesman said the 1998 Scotland Act, which brought about devolution, made clear that constitutional issues were reserved for Westminster.

[Agent William]

1. Sounds like the nationalists excuses have already started. n/t

[T_i_B]

2. I find Nicola Sturgeon's whining on this subject quite odd

She campaigned for the Scotland act, you'd have thought as the deputy first minister of Scotland she'd have actually read it.

If she had maybe she would realize that Westminster still has soverignity over constitutional issues and as such it is for Westminster to decide.

And as such the SNP should be happy that they are being given a chance of getting the very thing they exist to achieve, Scottish Independence, and that they should try being constructive rather then whining and moaning because they can't tie in a referendum with the anniversary of the battle of Bannockburn.

[LeftishBrit]

3. I think she's just saying it to pander to a certain element of her constituency; I don't think she

really expects Scotland to be able to decide the date.

Actually, I think this has a LOT in common with the sort of things that Tories say to pander to the Europhobic elements of their base ('Eurosceptic' is a misnomer; these people are EuroPHOBIC). The Tories huff and puff to attract the votes of these elements, even though they probably know quite well that much of what they're calling for is against the legal terms of our membership, or just plain impossible. The same sort of thing is going on here IMO.

I think Scotland has the right to secede if it wants (after a referendum ), but I hope they don't, just because we'd probably then get a permanent Tory majority in the rest of the UK.

[Nihil]

4. She should be lucky that they didn't propose 9 September instead ...

> rather then whining and moaning because they can't tie in a referendum
> with the anniversary of the battle of Bannockburn.

[oldironside]

5. Evil thought...

... but there are actually a whole lot more dates a cynical Englishman could choose. As a football fan I'd like April 15th.

[fedsron2us]

6. I have some sympathy for Cameron's stance

Any vote on Scottish independence is essentially also a vote on the break up of the United Kingdom. The decision effects all the constituent parts not just Scotland so at the very least Westminster should have some input on the date and the question. Of course, one might argue that similar votes ought to be held in all the other constituent parts of the UK.

[dipsydoodle]

7. Thursday 12th : Alex Salmond seeks Holyrood backing over referendum

Members of the Scottish Parliament are being asked to back Alex Salmond in his row with the UK government over the independence referendum.

The first minister has laid an amendment at Holyrood saying the Scottish Parliament should decide the timing and arrangements for the ballot.

>

Scottish Labour leader Johann Lamont will call on Mr Salmond to hold immediate cross-party talks.

A Labour motion being debated at Holyrood has argued that civic groups in Scotland must also have a say.

[dipsydoodle]

8. Scotland to be released on compassionate grounds

Prime Minister David Cameron today announced that Scotland is to be released from Britain on the grounds of ill-health. Legal advisers for the country, which was sentenced to be part of Great Britain in 1707, had been seeking a parole hearing in 2014, but a decision has now been made to release it with immediate effect following medical reports that’s condition is terminal.

‘We’ve looked at all the evidence and concluded that Scotland is in a state of permament decline and won’t recover,’ confirmed Mr Cameron. ‘Many of the symptoms are untreatable: stinginess, a love of deep-fried foods, continually producing top-class football managers and a misguided belief that Irn Bru is for drinking. It’s only fair that we let Scotland slip away peacefully into national self-determination.’

Scotland’s representative Alex Salmond welcomed the announcement. ‘Morally, this is the right thing to do,’ he told reporters. ‘Scotland should be allowed to die at home with dignity – although between you and me I’ve got a feeling its chances of survival might be a bit better than Mr Cameron thinks.’

The move has been criticised by American senator Robert Menendez, however. ‘This is a real kick in the teeth for all American citizens who have been victims of Scotland over the years,’ he argued. ‘Hundreds of innocent Americans have been forced to eat haggis on holidays to Scotland, and let’s not forget all the so-called ‘pop’ acts they’ve wilfully inflicted on us – Lulu, the Bay City Rollers, Susan Boyle. And don’t even get me started on tartan. It’s a disgrace, and Britain should be ashamed that it’s even considering setting Scotland free.’

http://www.newsbiscuit.com/2012/01/11/scotland-to-be-released-on-compassionate-grounds/