White paper to reflect diversity of views on constitutional change

FIRST Minister Alex Salmond will this week try to enlist support for far-reaching constitutional change by unveiling plans for a multi-option referendum on Scotland's relationship with the UK.

The SNP leader has moved away from plans to offer solely a one-question referendum on separation and will instead propose a "national conversation" on Scotland's future.

He will also fund a series of events on individual issues such as broadcasting - including the question of a Scottish Six O'Clock News - and Trident, as a way of building a consensus for revisiting the devolution settlement.

The Sunday Herald can also reveal that comedian Elaine C Smith and Liberal Democrat peer Baroness Michie have joined Salmond's broadcasting commission.

Salmond's plans on the constitution will be unveiled when the Scottish Executive publishes its eagerly anticipated white paper on independence at a launch event in Edinburgh this week. The document will fulfil an early SNP manifesto pledge, but the Sunday Herald has learned that it will be broader than simply an exercise to promote independence.

Although it will contain a proposal for a referendum to break up Britain, the paper will also note that a body of opinion in Scotland favours increasing the parliament's powers without going as far as independence.

It will raise the prospect of the parliament staging a multi-option referendum, encompassing the SNP's preferred option, as well as positions favoured by other parties.

A source close to the first minister said: "There are other constitutional options in the white paper. We are clear on our option, but what's also reflected is that there could be other ideas."

The source said the white paper would reflect the diversity of views on constitutional change, with the document serving the purpose of kickstarting a "national conversation" on the subject.

As well as flagging up a multi-option referendum, the white paper is also understood to back the idea of creating bodies and groups to look at individual constitutional issues, including Trident and broadcasting.

The broadcasting debate was kicked of last week by Salmond's establishment of a commission to address his concerns that UK television networks spend only a fraction of their production budgets north of the border.

It is further stoked by an article in today's Sunday Herald by Alan Clements, a former creative director at IWC Media and husband of Newsnight presenter Kirsty Wark.

Clements, a long-term friend of Scottish Labour leader Jack McConnell, has slammed what he describes as "scaremongering" surrounding the creation of a separate network. He says it is a "myth" to suggest a Scottish Broadcasting Corporation would reduce the quality of programming and has instead called for a national debate on the subject.

A summit on blocking the renewal of Trident is another idea that could come out of the "national conversation" Salmond hopes to start with this week's white paper.

His strategy is said to be motivated by a desire to reach out to the Liberal Democrats and others who back more constitutional change, rather than independence.

The first minister has conceded privately he will not persuade a majority of MSPs to back an independence referendum, and has instead agreed on a more subtle approach to acquiring more powers for Holyrood.

A spokesperson for Salmond said: "The document will form the basis of a national conversation with the people, and will set out a vision of independence and responsibility in the modern world.

"It will be an inclusive, governmental document - making clear that ministers believe independence and equality offers the best future for Scotland, while urging those who believe in other possibilities, such as more powers, to come into the conversation."

Labour's leader in the Scottish parliament, Jack McConnell, said: "The new first minister should accept the will of the people and concentrate on the people's priorities. Scottish government should be working to create jobs, improve education and health, and tackle crime. If the SNP wants to push its plans for independence it should do so through its party and not use government resources for a minority obsession."

A spokesman for the Scottish Liberal Democrats said: "Everyone knows that the white paper is a waste of civil service time and money. There is nowhere near a majority for independence in the Scottish Parliament. Every minute spent on this document is a distraction from more important priorities such as health, education and crime."