Alex Salmond and David Cameron make 'little progress' in referendum talks
David Cameron and Alex Salmond made ''little progress'' over the staging of the independence referendum during their meeting on Thursday.
David Cameron and Alex Salmond still have much ground to cover.
- By David Clegg, political editor
- Published in the Courier : 17.02.12
- Published online : 17.02.12 @ 02.48pm
The Prime Minister and First Minister discussed outstanding issues about how the crunch constitutional poll should be conducted at Scottish Government headquarters in Edinburgh.
But Mr Cameron said there ''wasn't much progress'' with no movement on key subjects including the timing, the number of questions on the ballot and who will vote.
Sources close to Downing Street described the meeting as ''frustrating''.
UK ministers say the Scottish Parliament needs extra devolved powers for the referendum to be legal, and has proposed a temporary transfer.
The SNP, which says it would be entitled to hold a ''consultative'' referendum, has welcomed the coalition's offer but warned it not to ''attach strings''.
UK ministers also want the vote to be staged sooner than the SNP has proposed, and disagree with calls to let 16- and 17-year-olds vote.
But Mr Salmond insisted the main ''stumbling block'' over the referendum hinged on the issue of whether there should be one or two questions put to voters.
The UK Government wants Scots to be given a straight choice between independence and staying in the United Kingdom. But Mr Salmond's SNP administration is open to also giving voters the option of backing further powers for Holyrood, and is consulting on the option sometimes dubbed devo-max.
The First Minister said: ''The Prime Minister's position is he wants to have one question. My position is we are in the middle of a consultation with the Scottish people and we are open-minded.
''If there is a strong demand from civic Scotland, from the unions, the voluntary sector, the churches, civic society in Scotland, for something different, for some other option to be tested, politicians at the very least should listen to that.''
And while Mr Salmond said he had not reached an agreement with Mr Cameron, he said ''things have moved on quite substantially''.
He highlighted the ''emergence that something else might be on offer on the table'' and stated: ''Although there isn't agreement I think things have moved on quite substantially.''
Anti-cuts campaigners attempted to disrupt Mr Cameron's visit.
Around 40 protesters were surrounded police outside St Andrew's House, where the meeting with Mr Salmond took place.
Protesters also staged a demonstration outside the Apex Hotel where Mr Cameron made his speech, with one person arrested.
A small number of protesters also demonstrated outside the Quaker Oats factory in Cupar, where Mr Cameron began his visit to Scotland.
Photo by Andrew Milligan/PA Archive
08.07pm - 17.02.2012 Ken - The Ferry, Dundee, Scotland UK Report This
Salmond isn't in this for answers. He's there to spin this out. That's his style. Five years on and there's still no sign of meat on the SNP's proposals for life out of Britain. If the issue weren't so serious, I would laugh.
04.36pm - 18.02.2012 Dr William Reynolds - heeze, Holland Report This
Excuse me? Independence is is about self determination among parliamen ts of equal status.It is n ot about life outside of Britian,more like joining the world community.
07.07pm - 18.02.2012 Una - Glasgow, Scotland Report This
The more I listen to the first minister, the more I agree with critics like Ken. He now rounds on Cameron and criticises HIM for lacking detail! Such Shamefaced hypocrisy can't be allowed to continue.
10.12am - 20.02.2012 Max - Tayside, Scotland Report This
The promise of jam tomorrow is simply an old Tory trick. Scots have only two real choices. Vote YES for Independence and Prosperity. Vote NO for the Status-Quo and Austerity.
06.11pm - 20.02.2012 Will B. - Dundee, UK Report This
Max, prosperity vs. Musterity - are you serious? it's time the SNP and its supporters made the case for change, beyond glib and vague one-word answers rather than talk negatively of the status quo.
10.52am - 21.02.2012 Max - Tayside, Scotland Report This
The UK’s minister for Europe, David Lidington, has stated an independent Scotland will need passport controls at its border with England. This does raise as smile when you realise the complete lack of border controls currently in the UK. Cameron promised Scotland respect, that didn't last long.
08.59pm - 21.02.2012 Ken - The Ferry, Dundee, Scotland UK Report This
Surely respect works both ways, Max? If yes, then where does Salmond's reference to 'London parties' or your own negative scaremongering figure?
09.16am - 22.02.2012 Max - Tayside, Scotland Report This
Ruth Davidson, Scottish Tory leader, has declared last night on TV that Scotland will not get more powers if Scots vote NO. That is in direct contrast to what David Cameron said last week. Ms Davidson would have not said what she said without the authority of No. 10. Cameron has been lying to Scots.
01.38pm - 22.02.2012 Rab - Dundee, Scotland Report This
Has the SNP mask slipped? Sure looks so. No longer do they or their supporters argue the benefits of independence, whatever that is. Now it's all about Tories supposedly denying us Scots Devo Max. The true facts behind leaving Britain must be bad for it to be relegated behind Devo Max.
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