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| Drop independence plan, SNP urged | |
| (30 minutes later) | |
| Labour has urged First Minister Alex Salmond to shelve his plans for a referendum on Scottish independence and concentrate on fighting the recession. | |
| The appeal came from Scottish Secretary Jim Murphy, who accused the SNP of a "peculiar obsession" with independence. | The appeal came from Scottish Secretary Jim Murphy, who accused the SNP of a "peculiar obsession" with independence. |
| The Tories and Liberal Democrats also hit out at the SNP's referendum plans, which will be published on Monday. | The Tories and Liberal Democrats also hit out at the SNP's referendum plans, which will be published on Monday. |
| But the Nationalist government said Labour could not be trusted to take Scotland forward. | But the Nationalist government said Labour could not be trusted to take Scotland forward. |
| The SNP's White Paper will set out options on Scotland's constitutional future and is expected to be followed by a referendum Bill. | The SNP's White Paper will set out options on Scotland's constitutional future and is expected to be followed by a referendum Bill. |
| But there are to be no details on what the independence referendum question will ask. The wording is expected to be finalised next year. | But there are to be no details on what the independence referendum question will ask. The wording is expected to be finalised next year. |
| Ahead of the White Paper's publication, Mr Murphy said that the SNP's unremitting focus on getting Scotland out of Britain was "out of kilter with the spirit of Scotland at the moment". | Ahead of the White Paper's publication, Mr Murphy said that the SNP's unremitting focus on getting Scotland out of Britain was "out of kilter with the spirit of Scotland at the moment". |
| In these tough economic times, Scottish ministers should be focusing on the real issues that matter to the people of Scotland, like jobs, schools and hospitals Tavish ScottScottish Lib Dem leader Q&A: Independence referendum | In these tough economic times, Scottish ministers should be focusing on the real issues that matter to the people of Scotland, like jobs, schools and hospitals Tavish ScottScottish Lib Dem leader Q&A: Independence referendum |
| He added: "In these difficult times they should behave like patriots, not just like nationalists, and put Scotland before their party." | He added: "In these difficult times they should behave like patriots, not just like nationalists, and put Scotland before their party." |
| Mr Murphy said he agreed with Scottish Labour leader Iain Gray who did not rule out a referendum "forever". | Mr Murphy said he agreed with Scottish Labour leader Iain Gray who did not rule out a referendum "forever". |
| The Scottish secretary's appeal came in the wake of Westminster's rival White Paper setting out Labour's own proposals for Scotland. | The Scottish secretary's appeal came in the wake of Westminster's rival White Paper setting out Labour's own proposals for Scotland. |
| Based on the recommendations of the Calman Commission, these would give Scotland more powers over setting income tax, as well as new powers in areas such as airgun control, national speed limits and drink-drink alcohol limits. | Based on the recommendations of the Calman Commission, these would give Scotland more powers over setting income tax, as well as new powers in areas such as airgun control, national speed limits and drink-drink alcohol limits. |
| Under the proposals, Westminster would cut the UK rate of income tax by 10p in Scotland and would also make a corresponding cut in the block grant. | Under the proposals, Westminster would cut the UK rate of income tax by 10p in Scotland and would also make a corresponding cut in the block grant. |
| This would require Holyrood to take decisions on income tax - imposing a Scottish rate of 10p if it wanted its budget to remain unchanged, or more if it wanted extra money. | This would require Holyrood to take decisions on income tax - imposing a Scottish rate of 10p if it wanted its budget to remain unchanged, or more if it wanted extra money. |
| 'Move forward' | 'Move forward' |
| Commenting on Mr Murphy's plea over the referendum, a spokesman for Mr Salmond said: "Jim Murphy proved with his flop of an announcement on Calman last week that Labour cannot be trusted to take Scotland forward. | Commenting on Mr Murphy's plea over the referendum, a spokesman for Mr Salmond said: "Jim Murphy proved with his flop of an announcement on Calman last week that Labour cannot be trusted to take Scotland forward. |
| "The reality is that Scotland needs full financial and economic powers in order to fight recession and maximise the opportunities that will come with recovery, which is exactly why we need to move forward in the referendum the government propose for next year." | "The reality is that Scotland needs full financial and economic powers in order to fight recession and maximise the opportunities that will come with recovery, which is exactly why we need to move forward in the referendum the government propose for next year." |
| Tory Annabel Goldie said a referendum would cost £9m | Tory Annabel Goldie said a referendum would cost £9m |
| But Lib Dem leader Tavish Scott claimed the publication of the White Paper would be "an SNP jamboree of flag waving and nationalist fervour". | But Lib Dem leader Tavish Scott claimed the publication of the White Paper would be "an SNP jamboree of flag waving and nationalist fervour". |
| He argued the SNP had got its priorities wrong, stating: "Just in the last few days we've seen teacher numbers plummet and major delays to the construction of a new hospital. | He argued the SNP had got its priorities wrong, stating: "Just in the last few days we've seen teacher numbers plummet and major delays to the construction of a new hospital. |
| "In these tough economic times, Scottish ministers should be focusing on the real issues that matter to the people of Scotland, like jobs, schools and hospitals." | "In these tough economic times, Scottish ministers should be focusing on the real issues that matter to the people of Scotland, like jobs, schools and hospitals." |
| And Conservative leader Annabel Goldie said an independence referendum would cost £9m and many hundreds of hours of parliamentary time. | And Conservative leader Annabel Goldie said an independence referendum would cost £9m and many hundreds of hours of parliamentary time. |
| She added: "He [Alex Salmond] should ditch the independence bill and get on with what he was elected to do - helping Scotland through these tough times." | She added: "He [Alex Salmond] should ditch the independence bill and get on with what he was elected to do - helping Scotland through these tough times." |