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Scottish independence: Salmond to announce referendum day Scottish independence: Referendum to be held on 18 September, 2014
(about 9 hours later)
Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond will reveal the date of the independence referendum in a statement to parliament later. The Scottish independence referendum will be held on 18 September 2014, First Minister Alex Salmond has said.
Draft legislation on holding the vote is due to be brought before Holyrood. He revealed the date as draft legislation on holding the vote was brought before the Scottish Parliament.
The SNP previously only said it would take place in autumn 2014, sparking opposition claims of Scotland being "kept in the dark".
Voters will be asked the yes/no question, "Should Scotland be an independent country?"Voters will be asked the yes/no question, "Should Scotland be an independent country?"
Speaking ahead of the announcement, Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said it would be a key milestone in the debate. The Scottish government said it was a historic day, but opposition parties have accused the SNP of keeping voters in the dark for too long.
Scottish Labour leader Johann Lamont, whose party is part of the campaign to keep the Union, said the SNP government had become so obsessed with winning independence that hard-pressed families were being ignored. Scots ministers previously only said the referendum would take place in autumn 2014.
A Referendum Bill to be put before Holyrood will need the approval of MSPs, although the SNP's parliamentary majority means the passage of the legislation is assured. Announcing the date while speaking in the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh, Mr Salmond said: "It's worth reflecting, just for a moment, on the privilege this nation and this generation will have - nothing less than choosing the future course of our country.
"We have been on a journey since 1999, since the restoration of our parliament here in the heart of our ancient capital. We've witnessed a growing confidence, an increase in democratic accountability.
"I'm honoured to announce that, on Thursday the 18th of September 2014, we will hold Scotland's referendum - a historic day when the people will decide Scotland's future."
Reacting to the date Johan Lamont, leader of Scottish Labour, whose party supports keeping the Union, said: "The truth is, Alex Salmond knows if he held the referendum now, he wouldn't just lose it, he would be routed.
"All the self-aggrandizement of today isn't just a sign of the first minister's usual pomposity.
"Making an occasion out of a delayed announcement is an attempt to con the people into believing that we have moved a step towards independence when we haven't."
MSPs will need to approve the arrangements for the vote in the Scottish Independence Referendum Bill, although the SNP's parliamentary majority means the passage of the legislation is assured.
The Scottish government has already introduced separate draft legislation to allow 16 and 17-year-olds to vote in the ballot.The Scottish government has already introduced separate draft legislation to allow 16 and 17-year-olds to vote in the ballot.
Scottish ministers - who will publish their substantive case for independence in a white paper later this year - say a "Yes" vote will allow Scotland to use its natural assets to build a better country.Scottish ministers - who will publish their substantive case for independence in a white paper later this year - say a "Yes" vote will allow Scotland to use its natural assets to build a better country.
Opposition parties argue Scotland is better off as part of the wider UK. Opposition parties who support the Union, which also include the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats, argue Scotland is better off as part of the wider UK.
Ms Sturgeon told the BBC it was an "exciting day", adding: "Everybody in Scotland, no matter what side of the debate they are on, will recognise this as a key milestone on the road to the referendum.
"The day of the referendum will be confirmed, when we can decide to take our own future into our own hands to vote for independence and the powers we need to build a fairer, more prosperous country that we all want to see."
When asked about speculation in The Sun newspaper that the referendum would be held on 18 October, 2014, Ms Sturgeon said her "lips were sealed", adding: "Lots of dates have been mentioned."
Ms Lamont said she would prefer the referendum to be held sooner, rather than later.
"Scotland has been waiting far too long, both for the date to be announced and engagement in a serious debate about the referendum," said the Scottish Labour leader.
"The reality is that, while the first minister plays around at when he's going to give us the date, he's not doing his day job, which is running the country.
"Our services are under pressure and families are under pressure and they deserve a government which has got them as a focus, not their own party obsessions."
Politicians at the Scottish Parliament will determine the arrangements for the referendum after Mr Salmond and Prime Minister David Cameron signed an deal known as the Edinburgh Agreement in October 2012.
It included: