"Stop blocking the Scottish people from having their say" - David Mundell
Scotland Office Minister says聽the timetable published yesterday could give聽people a say on independence next September
The Scottish people should be allowed to sit in the referendum driving seat next year, Scotland Office Minister David Mundell said today.
Following the publication yesterday by the Government of a proper timetable to have the independence referendum next September, Mr Mundell said it was disappointing that the Scottish Government was blocking the chance for the Scottish people to have their say.
David Mundell said:
鈥淭here is no reason why the Scottish people should have to wait nearly three years to have their say in an independence referendum. We have produced a timetable that shows how you can give people their say on independence next September. No corners are cut and all processes are properly followed. But instead of working with us to put the Scottish public firmly in the referendum driving seat, the Scottish Government have resorted to insults and mistakes. This is a very poor show and people will be mystified.
鈥淭he Scottish Government claim the 2013 proposal is a 鈥榮illy聽 distraction鈥櫬� and聽 鈥榝ull of holes鈥� but they don鈥檛 say why and they don鈥檛 say what. People want action not insults.
鈥淭he only point of substance raised by the Scottish Government is also wrong. The Electoral Commission ask for ten weeks to review the question - not test the ballot paper. They review the question while the Bill is going through Parliament, so it does not need to add an extra ten weeks to the schedule. If the ballot paper needs to be tested it can happen at the same time or even sooner. The Scottish Government need to get on top of this sort of detail very quickly rather than trying to shout down those who hold a different view from them.
鈥淚t wasn鈥檛 so long ago that the Scottish Government were very enthusiastic about holding an independence referendum. There has definitely been a change in the tune coming out of St Andrew鈥檚 House.聽 In 2009, they wanted to hold the referendum in 2010. In 2010, they wanted to hold it 鈥榓s soon as possible鈥�. Now they want to wait for a few years to ensure 鈥榯he fullest possible debate鈥�.聽 This is their fourth consultation on this subject and their third draft Bill. How much fuller can the debate be?
鈥淧oliticians and Parliaments are always having their say. It is time for the people of Scotland to decide whether Scotland should separate from the rest of the UK.鈥�