CBI Scotland backs calls for independence referendum to be brought forward
An influential business organisation has backed UK Government calls for the independence referendum to be held sooner than planned.
The Scottish Government insists it will be sticking to its timetable.
- By David Clegg, political editor
- Published in the Courier : 24.02.12
- Published online : 24.02.12 @ 09.37am
CBI Scotland has published its responses to two public consultations being carried out on the vote. The organisation says it wants to see the date of the poll brought forward.
First Minister Alex Salmond has said he will hold the referendum in the autumn of 2014. On Wednesday, Scottish Secretary Michael Moore, who has insisted the delay is causing uncertainty and damaging the economy, produced a timetable he claims will meet all the requirements and allow Scots to vote next September.
The CBI submission backs Downing Street call for a quicker vote. It said some members had no concerns about the timing of the referendum, but others are worried it will create uncertainty.
It added: ''The timetable should certainly provide for sufficient facts and analysis to be made available to business and the wider public and for the issues involved to be fully considered but, on balance, we believe that the referendum can and should be held sooner than currently planned.''
The SNP Government has rejected the calls for the date to be brought forward, dismissing them as a ''distraction'', but critics claim ministers are stalling to give them more time to build support for independence.
Polls suggest only just over a third of Scots would vote Yes if the referendum was held today.
Scotland Office minister David Mundell insisted there is ''no reason'' Scots should have to wait until autumn 2014.
''We have produced a timetable that shows how you can give people their say on independence next September,'' he said. ''But instead of working with us to put the Scottish public firmly in the referendum driving seat, the Scottish Government have resorted to insults and mistakes.
''This is a very poor show and people will be mystified.''
However, SNP Government parliamentary business manager Bruce Crawford said: ''We will keep our election promise with the people of Scotland, and the referendum shall be held in autumn 2014, as set out in the detailed timetable published last month.''
The timing of the poll is just one area of conflict between Edinburgh and London over the referendum, with other issues including the wording of the question and whether the option of more devolution should appear on the ballot paper.
Photo by Danny Lawson/PA Wire
11.06am - 24.02.2012 Max - Tayside, Scotland Report This
CBI Scotland are headed by Ultra Unionists. This group which represents less than 5% of Scottish business have a long history of opposing Scottish Home Rule at every stage. It is suprising that journalists pay heed to an organisation that commands so little respect in Scottish society.
01.33pm - 24.02.2012 David - Broughty Ferry, Scotland Report This
Why are the views of the CBI still being carried by the media when they have been proven to be nothing more than unionist scaremongers.
06.23pm - 24.02.2012 John Jones - Dundee, Scotland Report This
It's fascinating that a party which claims to be utterly convinced the people will vote Yes is so confident of this outcome that it's determined to delay asking the question for as long as possible. As ever, the clue to what they really think is what a politician does, not what they say.
09.21pm - 24.02.2012 Iain - Dundee, UK Report This
Those claiming that this long drawn out affair was bad for the country now have their evidence.
09.25pm - 24.02.2012 Wully - Dundee, Scotland Report This
One of the country's largest companies highlights the disastrous effect allowing the referendum to drag on for another 2+ years would have on the economy. Mr Salmond has to listen, country interests before party interests, surely?
09.32pm - 24.02.2012 P.g. - Dundee, Scotland Report This
Have to say that I agree entirely! Let's get this over and done with.
08.58am - 25.02.2012 Bill Connor - Tayport, Scotland Report This
surprise surprise the arch unionist body agrees with Westminster...they could say that Scotland will be an international pariah and the "scottish" CBI would agree.
01.22pm - 25.02.2012 Dr Robert Leslie - Glasgow, Scotland Report This
The same CBI (Scotland) which represents a minority of Scottish businesses, persistently shows union-bias in defiance of fact, and whose Director, Iain McMillan, was forced to recant his claim that 16 members unanimously backed an early referendum at a CBI meeting (note the number of attendees!).
05.02pm - 26.02.2012 matt, student - Dundee, UK Report This
Dr Leslie, does the concern of the country's second largest company, SSE, grab enough of your attention?
05.01am - 27.02.2012 Dubh mac - Inverness, Scotland Report This
I thought we were supposed to be waiting to hear what the public consultations brought up in regards to the date? Judging from the level of debate coming from South of the border, we could do with more time to allow for Southern journalists to catch up (CBI?) and stop spouting unhelpful propaganda.
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