Opposition parties 'likely to reject' SNP plans for independence vote

HOLYROOD is likely to put a block on SNP plans to hold an independence referendum in the wake of the economic crisis, it emerged today.

The issue will be put to MSPs tomorrow in a debate on the Scottish Government's record, with a Lib Dem amendment calling on the Nationalist administration to ditch its plans for an independence vote for the remainder of this parliamentary term.

Liberal Democrats argue the SNP should instead concentrate its efforts on working towards economic recovery.

Labour and the Tories have indicated they will support the move, enough to out vote the SNP administration at Holyrood.

Lib Dem chief whip Mike Rumbles said: "We have made it very clear that the Scottish Government should end its obsession with the constitution and focus on protecting jobs and boosting our economy."

And he added: "Our amendment will put an end to speculation about independence in this Parliament.

"MSPs will have a choice tomorrow. They can choose chatter about the constitution, or they can follow the Liberal Democrats and spend the next two years working hard to build an economic recovery."

Lib Dem backbencher John Farquhar Munro last week came out in support of a referendum to settle the issue – just days after party leader Tavish Scott ruled it out.

And Mr Rumbles himself last year criticised the then Lib Dem leader Nicol Stephen over his opposition to a referendum.

Mr Stephen had ruled out a coalition with the Nationalists in the wake of the 2007 election, stating plans for a referendum were a "fundamental barrier" to any deal.

But after Mr Stephen quit the leadership Mr Rumbles said he believed "the leadership took that position because we didn't have a policy on it".

He added: "The great thing about the Liberal Democrats is they're a very democratic party and I do believe that this is a decision that I want our members to be involved in."

The vote tomorrow will come on the back of a Labour Party debate on Scottish Government failures.

A Labour spokesman said: "We've been clear all along when it comes to a referendum.

"There's one draft Bill out there which has been rigged and we would vote against it."

The Scottish Government is currently undertaking a wide ranging consultation on the proposed independence Bill entitled the National Conversation.

The Tories point to the Government's recent climbdown on plans to introduce a local income tax – a key manifesto pledge.

"The SNP dropped its LIT plans because they lost a vote in Parliament," said chief whip David McLetchie.

"At the weekend Mike Russell said he would not drop the referendum Bill because he had not lost a vote in Parliament. That's about to change.

"It's time to drop the Bill and get on dealing with Labour's recession, rather than the SNP's obsession."

However SNP chief whip Brian Adam claimed the Lib Dems "now look utterly ridiculous".

He added: "Mike Rumbles said he wanted the party to decide their policy – a party in which we know many members favour a referendum, as do the vast majority of Lib Dem voters – yet in Parliament he follows his leader and drops his principles at the door."

Mr Adam said: "Michael Russell challenged opposition parties to allow a free vote – for a party with no position like the Lib Dems, and with John Farquhar Munro actually backing a referendum, that is the only way they can go."

And he argued: "The reality is that the more economic and financial powers Scotland has, the better able we will be to overcome the economic downturn.

"The combined opposition look ridiculous in the run-up to this debate. While they attack us over our fantastic record of policy delivery, they are also ganging up to try and stop us delivering on this manifesto commitment. They will look stupid in the debate if they pursue this two-faced approach – and deservedly so."