Salmond promotes independence agenda
Updated on 14 August 2007
First Minister Alex Salmond has set out his case for a referendum on Scottish independence.
Mr Salmond launched a white paper containing three "realistic" choices for Scots.
They are the present devolved set-up, redesigning devolution by extending the powers of the Scottish Parliament and full independence.
Mr Salmond said he would listen to other opinions but the move prompted attacks by opposition parties at Holyrood who claimed the document was about "breaking up the UK".
It also includes the draft wording of the ballot paper for a referendum, which would cost about £7 million to run according to Mr Salmond.
The ballot 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 he wanted a "national conversation" which could result in other options being put on the ballot paper as well.
The SNP pledged in its Holyrood election manifesto to bring forward an independence white paper as part of preparations for a referendum with a likely date of 2010.
The SNP won May's election, emerging as the biggest single party, but are well short of a parliamentary majority with just 47 seats in the 129-seat Parliament.
Scottish Secretary Des Browne said the "central theme" in the publication was independence but it had the support "neither of the Scottish people nor the (UK) Government."
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