Independence isn't an experiment, Blair warns

Salmond claims referendum is "reversible"

Monday, 30, Apr 2007 12:00

The prime minister has warned Scots there will no be going back if they vote for independence, and told the next Scottish government to focus on the issues that really matter to people.

Tony Blair branded "absurd" the SNP leader Alex Salmond's claim that Scots could vote for independence in the SNP's planned referendum and then return to the UK if they then wished.

"The idea of a reverse referendum is absurd. But it underlines again the utterly fundamental choice facing Scotland and the UK this Thursday," Mr Blair said.

He added: "When even the SNP accept people may want to reverse independence, it leads yet again to this simple question: what is all the cost, chaos and instability for?"

Mr Blair insisted a Scottish government should not be dedicated to "breaking up the UK," but instead looking at how to make Scotland work as part of the UK, focusing on health, education and crime.

The prime minister was speaking after a BBC Scotland leaders' debate at Aberdeen University, where the future of the union was first on the agenda.

Mr Salmond argued an independent Scotland would mirror the success of small nations such as Norway and Iceland and would act in a "partnership of equals" with England.

However, leaders from the unionist political parties warned of "divorce" and "break-up" of the British Isles.

The four leaders admitted that Iraq could also factor in people's decisions at the ballot box on Thursday.

Labour's Jack McConnell urged voters not to let it "cloud their judgement". He said: "I think it's vitally important that one particular issue does not cloud our views on the economic importance of the 300-year-old Union.

"Nor, for that matter, the priorities of the Scottish parliament over the next four years."

Mr Salmond argued people had a "right" to consider all issues and warned Mr McConnell not to attempt to "reserve" unpopular topics. "These are issues where we have a responsibility as Scots," said Mr Salmond.

The Conservatives' Annabel Goldie and Liberal Democrats' Nicol Stephen also acknowledged so-called Westminster issues would still influence the electorates' views in the Scottish parliament election.

While Mr McConnell mirrored Mr Blair's stance, insisting he had no regrets over the removal of Saddam Hussein, the Welsh labour leader Rhodri Morgan recently attempted to distance himself from Mr Blair's Iraq war. Mr Morgan said he "probably" would have voted against going to war.