Do you agree that Scotland should be an independent country? These are the 10 words that could lead to the break-up of the United Kingdom.
Alex Salmond finally revealed the question that will appear on the ballot paper as he launched a consultation on his plan for a £10 million independence referendum.
The First Minister pledged that Scots will be given a “short, straightforward and clear” choice to decide the future of the United Kingdom in the crunch poll scheduled for autumn 2014.
He added: “The question is: ‘Do you agree that Scotland should be an independent country?’.”
In an afternoon of carefully coordinated political theatre on Burns Day, the SNP leader first outlined his plans to MSPs before addressing a thronged gathering of international media in Edinburgh Castle.
He said: “The referendum will be held in autumn 2014 on the same terms as any Scottish election, to the same standards and with the same guarantee of fairness. We will decide our future in a vote which is beyond challenge or doubt.”
Turning to the case for leaving the UK, he added: “Independence matters because without it we do not have the powers to reach our potential. We are limited in what we can do to create jobs, grow our economy and help the vulnerable.
“To achieve this we shouldn’t have a constitution that restrains us, but one which frees us to build a better society.”
The 122-page consultation document Your Scotland, Your Referendum (PDF link) outlines the proposed mechanics of the referendum, the campaign rules and what would happen in the event of a ‘Yes’ vote. It says the poll will cost the public purse in the region of £10 million, a figure said to be “in line” with similar referendums.
Under the proposals the eligibility to vote would be determined by residency, but could be extended to include 16- and 17-year-olds.
Meanwhile, the referendum could include the option of greatly enhanced powers for Holyrood an option sometimes dubbed Devo Max.
The Coalition Government and opposition parties in Scotland want voters to be given a straight choice on remaining in the UK or becoming independent. They have also called for the referendum date to be brought forward, claiming that autumn 2014 is too far away and will cause uncertainty in the economy.
Scottish Labour leader Johann Lamont said the consultation was one of ”political calculations and assertions”.
Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson said: ”Alex Salmond must now provide the Scottish electorate with answers to what a separate Scotland would look like if his referendum plans are to have any credibility.”
John McCormick, Electoral Commissioner for Scotland, welcomed the consultation.
”Our priority is to ensure any referendum is well run, transparent and focused on voters,” he said.
The consultation will close on May 11.
The timetable set by Mr Salmond means the May 2016 Holyrood election could be the first to vote in an independent Scottish Parliament.For full coverage and analysis, see Thursday’s Courier