Holyrood rejects referendum plans

Parliament is expected to back the Liberal Democrat amendment

The Scottish Parliament has voted against government plans to hold an independence referendum.

The issue was put to MSPs in a Labour-led debate on the record of Scottish ministers.

A Lib Dem amendment asking the SNP to ditch plans for an independence vote for the remainder of the parliament was backed by Labour and the Tories.

The SNP dismissed the move, claiming Liberal Democrat party members actually wanted an independence referendum.

The Lib Dems are not against the policy in principle, but the party said Scotland should be concentrating efforts to tackle the economic crisis, rather than debating the constitution.

If we are to reflate the Scottish economy... you need borrowing powers, you need the ability to increase aggregate demand and confidence

Alex Salmond
First Minister

Scottish ministers are currently undertaking a consultation on Scotland's future - the national conversation - and will bring forward draft legislation in 2010 to stage a referendum.

The minority Scottish Government does not have enough parliamentary support to pass its proposed Referendum Bill, but has challenged Labour, the Lib Dems and the Tories not to oppose what it sees as the public's right to decide on Scotland's future.

The issue came to the fore during first minister's questions, where Labour leader Iain Gray challenged Alex Salmond to drop the SNP's planned bill.

Mr Gray said Scotland needed a referendum "like a hole in the head", adding: "Right now I believe that Scotland wants all of us to concentrate all our efforts on projecting Scottish jobs and supporting families and communities through the global economic downturn.

"Does the first minister really think his Referendum Bill is a good idea during the global economic downturn?"

Cupboard 'bare'

Mr Salmond rejected the call and taunted Labour over the support Mr Gray and others in the party, such as Wendy Alexander, had shown in the past for a referendum.

The first minister responded: "Anyone with a semblance of understanding of the Scottish economy will understand that, if we are to reflate the Scottish economy in the same way that every single government in the western world is approaching the current recession, then you need borrowing powers, you need the ability to increase aggregate demand and confidence.

"That is the connection between the powers of this parliament and the ability to deliver for the Scottish people.

Following the vote, Scottish Tory leader Annabel Goldie, said: "The SNP cupboard is bare. The last vestige of a flagship policy has been shot to pieces."

Lib Dem chief whip Mike Rumbles, added: "This is a reality check for the SNP. They need to ditch the referendum and ditch it now.

"Scots worried about their jobs don't want to see the government wasting time and money pursuing this dead-end policy that has no hope of success."

Bu Mr Salmond said the result was a disaster for the pro-union parties.

"To come together in this anti-democratic cabal shows contempt for the people and their right to choose Scotland's future."

The Holyrood debate came after Constitution Minister Mike Russell challenged his political rivals at the weekend to allow MSPs a free vote on the Referendum Bill.

His comments came on the back of a call by Liberal Democrat Holyrood veteran John Farquhar Munro for a referendum.