SNP unveil independence plans

Alex Salmond says the SNP would hold independence referendum within four years

Sunday, 09, Apr 2006 12:00

The Scottish National party (SNP) has unveiled plans to hold a referendum on independence north of the border.

Leader Alex Salmond said a vote on Scottish independence was a "non-negotiable" element of any coalition deal.

The party has vowed to introduce the measure, unveiled in a draft bill at the party's spring conference in Dundee, if it wins power at Holyrood in the May elections next year.

Mr Salmond said the bill would have to be introduced to the Scottish parliament within four years, if the SNP wins power or another party joins it in coalition.

"We have a clear and powerful message linking freedom for our nation with a new culture of independence for ordinary Scots," he said.

The precise wording of the referendum proposition reads: "The Scottish parliament (led by executive ministers) should negotiate a new settlement with the British government so that Scotland becomes a sovereign and independent state."

Mr Salmond said there was "all to play for" in 2007.

At the party conference yesterday, the SNP's deputy leader Nicola Sturgeon delivered her keynote address in which she said people were "scunnered" with Labour.

"There is a palpable sense of disgust across the country at the actions of an arrogant political elite, a party that came to office promising so much but which now is a stranger to truth and an abuser of democratic accountability," she added.

On independence, she said: "I think it's important to see independence, yes it's about political powers for a parliament and for politicians but it's about much more than that.

"It's about a way of life and what we want for our country, freedom to take our own decisions and reach our full potential is what we should aspire to for every single person in Scotland as well."