Referendum - ‘an opportunity not to be missed’ Moray’s Member of the Scottish Parliament, Richard Lochhead, has commented on the news from the Scottish Government that an independence referendum will be held in Autumn 2014. Local Member of the Westminster Parliament, Angus Robertson, has also called on the UK Govermnent to stop interfering in the planning of the referendum when the Scottish Government clearly has the mandate of Scotland’s people to hold the referendum. Richard Lochhead MSP said:: “ These are exciting times with the Scottish Government having confirmed that Scotland’s independence referendum is to be held in the autumn of 2014. People across Moray will now have the exciting opportunity to join the rest of Scotland in voting in a referendum on Scotland's future. “ Here in Moray, as across Scotland, people voted overwhelmingly for the SNP resulting in a SNP majority in the Scottish Parliament. In our election campaign we clearly stated our intention to hold a referendum in the latter part of the parliamentary term and that is exactly what we are planning for. “ In recent days, Labour and the Lib-Dems have been falling over each other to agree with David Cameron's insistence on trying to interfere in a referendum that is clearly up to Scotland to run. It is clear that Unionist politicians have nothing positive to add to this debate. “ However the Scottish Government is sticking to its election promise to hold the referendum in the second half of this parliament to allow time for an educated debate on independence to be held. That is only right and proper. And I myself am happy to take part in any local debates that community councils, churches, or other groups would like to organise. “ It is also right that 16 and 17 year olds should be allowed to vote in the referendum. The SNP has long believed that people who are entitled by law to work full time, get married and pay taxes should have a say in how their country is run and in the future of that country. Our young people are our future, they have a right to express their view at the ballot box.” Moray’s MP Angus Robertson said: “ It seems that the unionist London based parties have suddenly discovered that there is a major debate in Scotland about our country’s constitutional future. Given that the people of Scotland are well ahead of them in the debate their interference this week seems to have largely caused a reaction of ‘who do they think they are’! “ The London parties have gone from wanting no referendum to wanting one as quickly as possible. This is patently nonsense. The decision in a referendum on Scotland’s future will be one of the most important decisions made by the Scottish people and that being the case it must not be hurried but properly considered, debated and voted upon. “ Above all, this is a matter for Scotland. The people of Scotland gave the SNP a mandate to bring forward a referendum. The Tories, Lib-Dems and Labour would do well to come to terms with that fact and respect the people’s decision. |
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MORAY MP & MSP WELCOMES ‘HISTORIC’ DECISION ON 2014 REFERENDUMposted 25 Jan 2012 03:13 by Graham Leadbitter |