SNP publish independence white paper

The Scottish government has set out its plans for a referendum on independence. Despite opposition to full independence from MSPs and the public, first minister Alex Salmond said doing nothing was no longer an option. The SNP is committed to full independence but has presented a range of three options in its white paper. As […]

Scotland begins independence ‘conversation’

Scottish first minister Alex Salmond is set to spark a “national conversation” on Scottish independence. Rather than push for a near-futile national vote on independence, the SNP leader will call for a wider reaching debate on Scotland’s relationship with Westminster. The SNP made a manifesto pledge to publish an independence white paper within 100 days […]

SNP threaten independence white paper

The Scottish National Party (SNP) will publish a white paper on a referendum for Scottish independence within two weeks, party sources have confirmed. The pledge confirms what the SNP had promised throughout its election campaign, but has already provoked strong reactions from other parties in the Scottish Assembly. Any referendum could only be triggered following […]

Queen marks Holyrood opening

The Queen has travelled to Edinburgh to take part in a ceremony marking the third session of the Scottish Parliament. The monarch gave a speech praising the development of the independent executive since power was first devolved in 1999. “I’m confident that the Scottish people will be at the heart of the business of this […]

Salmond: No contact from Blair

Alex Salmond, Scotland’s first minister, has revealed neither Tony Blair nor Gordon Brown have contacted him since he was elected first minister. Mr Salmond said: “The form, I suppose, would be that the prime minister should have been in touch. “That’s a matter for him to explain.” The revelation follows comments from Labour MP Ann […]

Greens lobby Lib Dems to accept SNP coalition

The Scottish Green party has made a direct appeal to the Liberal Democrats to form a coalition with the SNP. Alex Salmond is still struggling to form a government, as Labour increasingly position themselves as a back-up administration if Mr Salmond is unable form his own. The Liberal Democrats have so far rejected SNP advances […]

SNP prepare for minority government

The SNP are preparing to rule Scotland as a minority government, after their potential allies the Green Party joined the Liberal Democrats in ruling out a full coalition. Alex Salmond had been hoping to form a coalition government with the Liberal Democrats and Green party after winning a one seat lead over Labour in the […]

SNP begins search for coalition partners

The Scottish National party’s 47 Scottish parliament members have met today to discuss a potential alliance with the Liberal Democrats and Green party that would create a ruling majority in Holyrood. The nationalists became the biggest single party north of the border after Thursday’s election and the addition of Lib Dem and Green support would […]

Nationalists takes largest slice of Holyrood

Labour has “lost its moral authority” to govern Scotland, the SNP claimed today as it won the largest number of seats in the Scottish parliament. However, Labour showed no signs of conceding defeat and indicated they would seek to form a coalition government. First minister Jack McConnell insisted the results are “very, very close” and […]

Independence isn’t an experiment, Blair warns

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 […]