FIRST Minister Alex Salmond today promised "a new chapter in Scottish politics" as he set out the SNP's plans for a referendum on independence. He formally launched draft legislation which, if passed, would be likely to lead to a vote in 2010 on breaking away from the UK.
The SNP leader claimed it was the "settled will" of the Scottish people for the Holyrood parliament to have more powers and said "no change was no longer an option".
Mr Salmond launched a "national conversation" on Scotland's future at Napier
University's Craiglockhart campus. In a White Paper he set out what the SNP sees as the three "realistic" choices for the country:
• Retaining the present devolved set-up.
• Redesigning devolution by extending the powers of the Scottish Parliament in specific areas.
• Full independence.
The White Paper also includes the draft wording of the ballot paper for a referendum.
This asks voters whether they agree or disagree "that the Scottish government should negotiate a settlement with the Government of a United Kingdom so that Scotland becomes an independent state".
Mr Salmond said: "As a sovereign people, the people of Scotland have the right to decide how we are governed.
"In [the May] election, the people voted clearly for further development of the way we govern ourselves in Scotland. We in the government believe that independence would be the best for our country."
But Mr Salmond said the "national conversation" could result in other options being put on the ballot paper as well.
Saying he was "relaxed" about that possibility, he went on: "A multi-option referendum requires the alternatives to be as clear as independence or the no-change options already are.
"The opportunity now presents itself for those who want another option in a referendum to define that option and present the case for inclusion on the ballot paper".
The White Paper explains that the 1603 Union of the Crowns would remain intact, with the Queen as Head of State. Scotland would become a full member of the European Union, the United Nations and other international bodies.
It says Scotland could decide to continue with membership of international defence alliances, principally Nato, or could opt for a defence posture outside a nuclear-armed alliance, similar to Ireland and Sweden.
An independent Scotland would have to consider the role and scale of its armed forces, and might choose to emphasise international peacekeeping and disaster relief missions, the document says.
The nuclear-armed submarines of the Royal Navy would have to be removed from Scotland, and based elsewhere.
The White Paper states that a re-design of the devolution settlement could involve "fiscal autonomy", with control over the overall level of taxation, rather than just the existing limited tax-varying powers.
Other responsibilities that could be transferred from Westminster to Holyrood include anti-terrorism legislation, minimum wage levels, the retirement age, the postal service, and broadcasting. Such a move would also be likely to require a referendum.
He said: "Whatever the differences between the political parties, the message of the election was obvious - the constitutional position of Scotland must move forward.
"I therefore propose that we have a national conversation on our future to allow the people of Scotland to debate, reflect and then decide on the type of government which best equips us for the future.
"This paper is intended as the starting point and inspiration for that conversation."
Members of the public have been invited to join the "national conversation" by logging onto a dedicated website at
www.anationalconversation.com, where comments can be added to a new online blog.
There are to be a series of public events seeking active engagement with voters, involving the First Minister, civic and business leaders and academics. The Executive will also carry out opinion surveys and focus groups.
But despite today's high-profile launch, the SNP's minority administration faces an uphill struggle to pass the referendum Bill. Mike Pringle, Edinburgh South Lib Dem MSP, said: "You can have all the fanfare you like, there is simply no chance of this referendum happening what-soever.
"The three main opposition parties have said that they are against it and will vote it out of parliament so I don't know why the SNP are wasting money pursuing this.
"Alex Salmond would be better off concentrating his efforts in improving Scotland instead of pursuing something that's not going to happen.
"They want this conversation to last for the next three years but the SNP would be better off concentrating on the real issues affecting Scotland such as what are we going to do about the council tax."
Scottish Tory leader Annabel Goldie said: "Don't be fooled, this White Paper is about independence no matter how it is dressed up with bells, whistles and frills.
"At its very core is the SNP's nationalist separatist agenda."
Labour, the Tories and the Lib Dems issued an unprecedented joint statement ahead of today's publication, accusing the SNP of wasting taxpayers' money on a "narrow and failed agenda".
"We will listen - but we fear this will be less of a conversation than a one-way megaphone," said the party leaders.
Responding to today's announcement, Scottish Secretary Des Browne said independence did not have the support of the Scottish people Mr Browne said: "Two thirds of Scottish voters voted for parties that support the Union in the Scottish Parliament elections.
"We created a Scottish Parliament - with powerful primary legislative powers on devolved matters - because we wanted to give the Scottish people greater democratic accountability in these areas.
"But the Government also believes that certain decisions are sensibly taken for the UK as a whole.
"The Union provides us with a strong voice in the world - for Scotland as well as the other countries making up the UK."
