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Reluctant Hero · Posted: Sun May 04, 2008 5:20 pm Post subject: Bring On Referendum - Alexander

The Labour Party are pathetic, they really are.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/7383035.stm

'Bring on' referendum - Alexander

Scottish Labour Party leader Wendy Alexander has called on the Scottish Government to "bring on" a referendum on independence.

Signalling a shift from previous comments, Ms Alexander said the SNP should have the "courage of its convictions".

First Minister Alex Salmond said those opposed to the independence referendum were beginning to "crack".

He said the government's referendum bill would be brought forward in 2010.

Next steps

Ms Alexander's comments followed reports in the Sunday Mail newspaper reports that she and Gordon Brown were "considering" supporting a referendum.

There was also a hint from the convener of the Constitutional Commission, set up by the unionist parties to examine the next steps for devolution, that a referendum may be required.

Sir Kenneth Calman:"It depends on the amount of change (recommended).

"If that change is small, then maybe there would not be any opportunity to do that, but I think it would be up to parliament to decide whether this was a significant enough change to take things further."

As recently as March, Ms Alexander stated her opposition to an independence referendum when she was questioned in a BBC Scotland news website webcast.

On BBC Scotland's Politics Show on Sunday, Ms Alexander seemed to have softened her stance, saying she had not ruled out a referendum.

I would woe betide the unionist parties if they stand on a platform of denying the Scottish people self-determination

Alex Salmond

She said: "Of course, there have been tactical discussions on these issues.

"The SNP appear to be toying with the electorate, saying 'we want this, it is the reason we came into politics, but by the way we are frightened to bring the matter forward'."

She said: "I don't fear the verdict of the Scottish people. Bring it on."

Mr Salmond said: "There's all sorts of indications that perhaps the Calman commission and perhaps the Labour party are trying to rethink their attitude."

He said the referendum bill would be brought before parliament in 2010.

"If there was then this unionist cabal saying 'no, the Scottish people are not entitled to decide their own future', then that would surely become an issue transcending the 2011 election campaign," he said.

"I would woe betide the unionist parties if they stand on a platform of denying the Scottish people self-determination.

"One way or another the Scottish people will decide."

A spokesman for the Conservatives said: "Decisions about Scotland's future should be made after calm and reasonable debate, not as a panicky, nervous, knee-jerk reaction born out of Labour's political disarray.

"That's why the Calman commission has important work to do and it should be left to do it."

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Aventinian

Shagpile · No Longer a Wean Joined: 03 Jan 2006 Posts: 79

Lewis · No Longer a Wean Joined: 21 Feb 2008 Posts: 81

For goodness, sake. It's not only a very large U-turn ; it is Labour desperately trying to make the SNP seem cowardly. I think that the most senisble thing at the moment is for labour to shut it with the attacks and try and get some work done.
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Hammish Independence

Shagpile · No Longer a Wean Joined: 03 Jan 2006 Posts: 79

kevin04 · I Love 'Our Scotland' Joined: 06 Mar 2007 Posts: 334

Bendy Wendy indeed!

I hope Salmond & the SNP ignore her, for months she's been claiming we don't need a referendum on Independence and that most Scots don't want it etc ! e.g Calman Commission etc, (every option but Independence being looked at) then all of a sudden out of nowhere and a Labour heiding down south in the local elections - she is up for a referendum.

Wait til 2010 when we will mostly likely have a Tory Govt in London and see if your still as keen.

Aventinian

Aventinian · Posted: Mon May 05, 2008 9:42 pm Post subject:

Reluctant Hero · Posted: Mon May 05, 2008 9:49 pm Post subject:

Report in tomorrows Herald. Well worth the read!

http://www.theherald.co.uk/politi...saying_referendum_bring_it_on.php

This comment from Alexander is a classic and just proves that every time she opens her mouth hot air just comes out.

George · This is Ma' Life! Joined: 02 May 2006 Posts: 605

Yes, it really is desperation time for Scottish Unionists and I must say that it is very pleasing to witness, a referendum is now an absolute certainty.

One can only wonder what Nicol 'what's his name' is thinking now....having fired Labour's bullets through his own foot.

The current 300 year Union has a couple of years left........then what?

If the commission don't offer anything radical but merely suggests cosmetic change then independence it will be. Of course they will be aware of this and now must decide where the cut off point is.

Unlike 1707 where the price was known, they are now bargaining blind and with the whole of Scotland.

Aventinian · Posted: Tue May 06, 2008 12:33 am Post subject:

It's ridiculous that Wendy Alexander is proposing this not for the benefit of Scotland, or out of conviction, or even out of compromise: she is doing it simply to confirm herself in her position and try to attach a positive victory to the Labour Party. I think it's revolting how she is toying with our constitution for personal and party gain.

The Thingmebob Commission will report, and its suggestions will inevitably be hailed as unsubstantial by the Nats regardless of content. How dully inevitable.
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The resident pantomime villain.
'Socialists cry "Power to the people", and raise the clenched fist as they say it. We all know what they really mean—power over people, power to the State.'

Aventinian · Posted: Tue May 06, 2008 12:37 am Post subject:

William_Cleland · This is Ma' Life! Joined: 22 Apr 2007 Posts: 760

Wonder if she bothered to consult with the Westminster wing of her party before announcing this or if she will eventually be brought to heel again as she was over the commission into the future of devolution:-

http://thescotsman.scotsman.com/l...ander--39wants-poll-in.4051886.jp

But Ian Davidson, MP for Glasgow South West, said he was "surprised" by the timing of Ms Alexander's announcement.

And one Labour MP asked if Ms Alexander "was off her head", adding: "What is she thinking?"

A source close to Gordon Brown, the Prime Minister said: "We have no plans to initiate a referendum. If the Labour Party in Scotland wants to take a position, that's a matter for them."

Reluctant Hero · Posted: Tue May 06, 2008 11:25 am Post subject:

William_Cleland · This is Ma' Life! Joined: 22 Apr 2007 Posts: 760

Interesting timing though immediately after the council election setbacks for Labour south of the border, which weakened Gordon Brown's position and prompted talk of him possibly standing down sooner rather than later.

Aventinian · Posted: Tue May 06, 2008 3:12 pm Post subject:

azzuri · 'Our Scotland' Fossil Joined: 12 Sep 2005 Posts: 3776

Reluctant Hero · Posted: Tue May 06, 2008 9:55 pm Post subject:

BBC reporting that Alexander is thinking about bringing forward her own parliamentary bill for a referendum on independence.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/7386258.stm

William_Cleland · This is Ma' Life! Joined: 22 Apr 2007 Posts: 760

Given the fact that waiting to 2010 was the keystone of the SNP's election manifesto she also appears to have a shaky grasp of how parliamentary democracy is supposed to operate. This doesn't look like well thought out strategy to me. More like a kneejerk response to a panic attack when the realisation that the Tories are likely to win power at Westminster in 2010 sunk in.

macwea · Posted: Wed May 07, 2008 6:55 am Post subject:

Well at least she'll be a politician that leaves a legacy behind. Singlehandedly bringing about the break up of the United Kingdom is quite a claim to fame. God bless her!