Call for independence 'substance'

Jan 17 2013

The Scottish Government has been challenged to spell out what impact leaving the UK would have on people.

Scottish Secretary Michael Moore said the debate over the country's future must move from "process to substance" now a deal has been done on staging the referendum.

He called on the nationalists to "bring forward a detailed proposal of what they would hope to achieve", and insisted that "2013 must be the year of evidence, not assertion".

The Scottish Secretary raised the issue in a speech in Edinburgh the day after the section 30 order that will transfer the power to hold a referendum to Holyrood was approved by the House of Lords.

He said the order, which was backed by the Commons on Tuesday, meant there "can now be a legal referendum".

Mr Moore said talks over how the historic vote should be staged had taken "centre stage" last year, adding: "We sorely need to move on from process alone. We need a loud, clear and robust debate about the impact that independence would have on Scots' lives. Those who support independence must bring forward a detailed proposal of what they would hope to achieve through negotiations."

On Wednesday, First Minister Alex Salmond suggested the constitution of an independent Scotland could enshrine a right to free education and housing.

His deputy Nicola Sturgeon said earlier in the week that holding talks about independence ahead of the 2014 referendum was "common sense" and would allow "sensible preparations" to be made in the event of a Yes vote.

Mr Moore hit back at them, saying Ms Sturgeon wanted "talks about talks" instead of "talk of what an independent Scotland would be". He argued: "This is not where the debate should be. We cannot have the Scottish Government fast-forwarding through all the difficult bits to their longed for ending where they clinch a referendum victory.

"People want to know what independence would mean for them, their families and their communities. It is on that basis that they will decide how to vote. Planning the summits and designing the constitutional apparatus is like framing and hanging a picture that is yet to be painted. No matter how gilded and fancy the frame, the missing image is the essential part."