In launching the Scottish Government's consultation document on the referendum yesterday, First Minister Alex Salmond adopted a position of careful reasonableness, providing a much-needed injection of statesmanlike calm into the tedious, obfuscating, bullying and patronising tone that has marked the initial exchanges of fire between the Coalition Government and the SNP. The document provides welcome evidence of a willingness to compromise on previous sticking points. A regulatory role for the Electoral Commission as envisaged by Mr Salmond in tandem with a management role for the Scottish Electoral Management Board is to be welcomed. The Scottish Government has declared itself ready to work with the UK Government to put the referendum beyond legal challenge. It seems likely that this will be achieved through the Section 30 provision of the devolution legislation, provided Westminster concedes to the Scottish Parliament other aspects including the timing, terms and conduct of the referendum.
Over to the people to have their say
THE importance of the referendum on independence to Scotland and the United Kingdom cannot be overstated.
In launching the Scottish Government's consultation document on the referendum yesterday, First Minister Alex Salmond adopted a position of careful reasonableness, providing a much-needed injection of statesmanlike calm into the tedious, obfuscating, bullying and patronising tone that has marked the initial exchanges of fire between the Coalition Government and the SNP. The document provides welcome evidence of a willingness to compromise on previous sticking points. A regulatory role for the Electoral Commission as envisaged by Mr Salmond in tandem with a management role for the Scottish Electoral Management Board is to be welcomed. The Scottish Government has declared itself ready to work with the UK Government to put the referendum beyond legal challenge. It seems likely that this will be achieved through the Section 30 provision of the devolution legislation, provided Westminster concedes to the Scottish Parliament other aspects including the timing, terms and conduct of the referendum.
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Don't show me this again.