As the SNP Government  launched the White Paper on Scotland’s constitutional future on St Andrew’s Day, his political opponents have united to criticise the proposals.

Labour leader Iain Gray said Mr Salmond was “out of touch”, Annabel Goldie of the Scottish Conservatives said it was “monumental waste of parliamentary time” and the LibDems’ Tavish Scott said the SNP’s “pet project” was a waste of £12 million of public money.

With all three of the main opposition parties firmly set against the wishes of the minority SNP administration, the Bill is sure to fall at the first hurdle.

The wording of the referendum is not disclosed in today's White Paper.

But it sets out four possible scenarios for Scotland.

These are: no change in the present set-up; more devolution as recommended by the Calman Commission; a further degree of devolution; and full independence.

Mr Salmond said: "The debate in Scottish politics is no longer between change or no change - it's about the kind of change we seek and the right of the people to choose their future in a free and fair referendum."

Mr Salmond went on: "This historic document sets out the case for Scottish independence with unprecedented depth and clarity."

The First Minister said Scottish popular opinion had moved "far beyond" wanting no change.

And he insisted the Calman Commission on devolution - supported by Labour, the Tories, the Liberal Democrats, but not the Nationalists - fell short of public need.

Mr Salmond said Westminster was "refusing" to make any progress on issues like devolving control over airguns this side of an election and "substantial doubt" as to what would happen after an election.

He said: "This White Paper charts the route to progress for Scotland and we are calling on people of all parties and none who want real and substantive additions to the powers of the Parliament to rally to the referendum campaign.

"That is why we are open to including the option of such powers on the referendum ballot paper, alongside independence."

Mr Salmond said that, after a year of devolution, there was "a clear and consistent demand" for more constitutional "progress" and extending the powers of the Scottish Parliament.

"The vast majority of people want to expand the responsibilities of the Parliament so that we have more powers to do more for Scotland," he said.

 

The wording of the referendum is not disclosed in today's White Paper.

But it sets out four possible scenarios for Scotland.

These are: no change in the present set-up; more devolution as recommended by the Calman Commission; a further degree of devolution; and full independence.

Mr Salmond said: "The debate in Scottish politics is no longer between change or no change - it's about the kind of change we seek and the right of the people to choose their future in a free and fair referendum." The White Paper’s launch has been overshadowed by the unmasking of an aide to Constitution Minister Mike Russell as the man behind an internet campaign of lurid smears against opposition politicians.

The aide, Mark MacLachlan, resigned and Mr Russell said he was “shocked” at conduct he described as “despicable”. It is an embarrassment to Mr Russell, who will present the White Paper with Mr Salmond and Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon.

The publication also coincides with a poll showing 50% of people agreed that a referendum should be held “in a few years’ time but it is not a priority at the moment”, while 20% did not support a referendum on independence at all.

Only 25% said they believed a referendum should be held “as soon as possible” and 5% said they did not know. The survey, by Ipsos Mori, also found 46% of those questioned believed Scotland should remain part of the UK, but with increased powers under devolution.

The status quo of Scotland remaining part of the UK with Holyrood having the same powers it has now was favoured by 32% while 20% supported Scotland becoming independent.

The White Paper will lay out four options for Scotland’s constitutional future -- the status quo, the Calman Commission proposals for Holyrood to have more powers, enhancing devolution to give Scotland full fiscal autonomy and independence.

It will not set out what question would be asked in a vote on the country’s future. That won’t be known until the Referendum Bill is published in the new year.

Ms Goldie said: “Support for separation is slumping to all time lows. Even the SNP admits the doomed referendum will cost at least £9m and will be a monumental waste of parliamentary time. Alex Salmond should scrap his White Paper and get on with the job he was elected to do.”

Mr Gray said: “What’s in the best interest of Scotland right now is not more questions on a referendum, it’s some answers from the SNP about what they’re going to do, particularly on jobs and the economy, but also on issues like schools which have descended into a shambles under this administration.”

Mr Scott added: “Polls show support for independence is at a new low, but still the SNP is determined to waste time and £12 million of taxpayers’ money on their pet project.”

Although the arithmetic of the Scottish Parliament means Mr Salmond does not have enough support for Bill, he said it would be introduced next year and his aim was for the referendum to take place “this time next year”.