By Steve Bargeton, political editor

HOLYROOD LOOKS set to reject the minority SNP government’s flagship policy for a referendum on independence today.

First Minister Alex Salmond wants to hold a referendum next year, but opposition MSPs are planning a parliamentary ambush to kill off the idea.

The Scottish Lib Dems have lodged an amendment to a Labour motion attacking the SNP’s failures in government, calling on the party to drop its plans for a referendum on the constitution for the remainder of its term of office and instead concentrate its efforts on economic recovery.

Last night it looked likely that the amendment would win the backing of Labour and the Tories, ensuring a crushing defeat for the SNP.

Ministers would still be able to bring a referendum bill to parliament at some point, but would do so in the knowledge that they face defeat.

The government unexpectedly dropped plans to scrap the council tax and bring in a local income tax citing lack of parliamentary support.

However Mike Russell, the new constitution minister, has refused to do the same with the referendum.

Last night Lib Dem chief whip Mike Rumbles said, “We have made it very clear that the Scottish Government should end its obsession with the constitution and focus on protecting jobs and boosting our economy.

“Our amendment will put an end to speculation about independence in this parliament.

“MSPs will have a choice tomorrow. They can choose chatter about the constitution, or they can follow the Liberal Democrats and spend the next two years working hard to build an economic recovery.”

The Scottish Tories said they would support the move to ditch the referendum.

“The SNP dropped its LIT plans because they lost a vote in parliament,” said chef whip David McLetchie.

“At the weekend Mike Russell said he would not drop the referendum bill because he had not lost a vote in parliament.

“That’s about to change.

“It’s time to drop the bill and get on dealing with Labour’s recession rather than the SNP’s obsession.”

Labour’s culture spokesman Pauline McNeill said, “Everyone with any sense is concentrating their full effort on economic growth and protecting Scotland from the recession.

“A referendum at this point would be an unhelpful distraction and it is the last thing people are talking about.

“It also shows what the SNP see as their priority. It’s not protecting jobs and creating apprenticeships but pursuing their own party political agenda.”

A Labour spokesman said, “We’ve been clear all along when it comes to a referendum.

“There’s one draft bill out there which has been rigged and we would vote against it.”

But the SNP accused the Lib Dems of changing their position on the issue of a referendum.

“Mike Rumbles, (Lib Dem leader) Tavish Scott and the Lib Dems as a whole now look utterly ridiculous,” claimed MSP Kenny Gibson.

“Mike Rumbles said he wanted the party to decide their policy—a party in which we know many members favour a referendum, as do the vast majority of Lib Dem voters—yet in parliament he follows his leader and drops his principles at the door.

“The Lib Dems are desperately trying to rush their position through before the members can change Tavish’s mind—yet again—at conference.

“The combined opposition look ridiculous in the run-up to this debate.

“They will look stupid in the debate if they pursue this two-faced approach—and deservedly so.”