LIBDEM POSITION CHANGES AGAIN ON REFERENDUM

LIBDEM POSITION CHANGES AGAIN ON REFERENDUM

Commenting on the report in today’s Evening News that the LibDems are to hold an official review of their position on an independence referendum with a view to supporting it, SNP MSP Dr Alasdair Allan welcomed the move and said it confirmed how the Scottish LibDem leader Tavish Scott had become isolated from his own party over allowing the people of Scotland have their say on Scotland’s future.

The report states that the former LibDem minister Ross Finnie has been appointed to carry out an internal consultation among the party with delegates to their Scottish conference this month debating the subject in a special closed-door session which has just been added to the agenda.

Commenting on today’s developments Dr Allan said:

"This is a very welcome development and shows how their present position has become untenable. It is already well known that a majority of LibDem voters support a referendum and as the LibDems find themselves firmly sidelined by the Calman Commission it's no wonder they are accepting the idea of a referendum.

"The people of Scotland deserve the right to have their say on Scotland's future and clearly that opinion is widely held throughout the LibDems.

“They are also looking for a way out of their Calman cul-de-sac as the Tories and Labour party drag their feet and kick Calman into the long grass.

“Under Tavish Scott's leadership the LibDems have gone all over the place on an independence referendum as their members realise how unpopular, illiberal and undemocratic it is to stop the people of Scotland having their say.

"Last month their UK conference was overshadowed by this issue and it looks like it will dominate their autumn Scottish conference as well – regardless of closed doors.

“Support for a referendum has already been voiced by prominent party figures such as Paddy Ashdown, MSP John Farquhar Munro and MEP George Lyon. Mike Rumbles also said during his leadership bid last year that the party rank and file should be allowed a proper debate on this.

“Tavish has had to fold in the face of overwhelming criticism within his party. With so many LibDems coming out against his stance he has had to accept that his position is untenable. "The SNP Government will bring forward a Bill in 2010 for a referendum, and challenge the London parties not to stand in the way of the people's right to have their say."