By Steve Bargeton, political editor

IN AN unprecedented move, Scotland’s opposition parties yesterday joined forces to launch a pre-emptive strike against the SNP government’s plans for independence.

Today First Minister Alex Salmond will publish a white paper setting out the proposals for a “national conversation” on Scotland’s constitutional future, including a referendum on independence.

But yesterday Labour, the Tories and the Liberal Democrats united to condemn the move as a waste of taxpayers’ money.

In a joint statement the three party leaders—Jack McConnell, Annabel Goldie and Nicol Stephen—point out that together they represent 65% of voters in Scotland, and believe that Scotland has the best chance of success and progress as part of the United Kingdom.

They dismissed the white paper as a “nationalist crusade” on a “narrow and failed agenda.”

“They (the SNP) have promised to build a consensus around the policies they will bring forward for debate in the Scottish Parliament,” said the opposition leaders.

“But this white paper can only create division and uncertainty which will damage Scotland.

“We will listen, but we fear this will be less of a conversation than a one-way megaphone,” they continued.

“We are deeply concerned that the proposals to be made by the SNP are only designed to drag the people of Scotland into a constitutional cul-de-sac.

“We will not give succour to those who want to end the union.

“We therefore regret the fact that the minority SNP administration, representing less than a third of Scottish voters, will tomorrow publish a white paper which is designed to further their party’s central objective to take Scotland outside the United Kingdom.”

The opposition leaders also attacked the Executive for bringing forward “divisive” proposals during the summer recess.

“We are willing to enter into debate jointly about the way in which devolution within the UK can best develop in the years to come, and we believe that colleagues in Westminster have a role to play in that debate,” they said.

A spokesman for the First Minister welcomed the statement and the fact that the opposition parties were at least prepared to talk about Scotland’s constitutional future.

“The tectonic plates of Scottish politics are shifting,” he said.

“The position of refusing to countenance more powers for Scotland, which Labour stuck rigidly to in the election, is now totally untenable.

“We welcome that those who were unwilling to talk about progress for Scotland before the election, particularly Labour, now recognise that the election marked a fundamental shift in the axis of Scottish politics.

“The other parties are having to respond to the Scottish government’s national conversation proposal by moving on to the ‘more powers’ agenda, which is hugely significant.

“The fact that Labour, the Tories and Lib Dems are unable to agree on any specific proposals illustrates that the best thing for them to do is contribute to the national conversation when the document is published, and read it before passing judgment.

“If they read its contents they will find plenty of opportunities to take their views forward. It will be interesting to see if Labour, the Lib Dems and Conservatives can arrive at a joint platform of constitutional change.

“If and when they do, that is something the Scottish people will want to judge along with proposals of the SNP, and the Green Party.”