Question on UK would confuse issue says Salmond

The Scottish First Minister said introducing the UK into the question would “confuse the issue” because the country would retain the Queen as head of state after breaking the political union.

Some critics have argued that his preferred question – Do you agree that Scotland should be an independent country? – is skewed in favour of securing a positive response.

But Mr Salmond insists it is clear and decisive, and is supported by people including electoral expert Matt Qvortrup of Cranfield University.

Mr Salmond responded to suggestions on the BBC’s Andrew Marr Show that voters should be asked if they want to leave the UK instead. The First Minister said: “It is SNP policy to have the Queen as our head of state.

“That union, that United Kingdom if you like, would be maintained after Scottish political independence.

“I think that’s a real stumbling block about putting forward a question of the United Kingdom.”

Asked if that meant Scotland could still be regarded as being in the UK after independence, Mr Salmond said: “I don’t think it’s a very good idea to confuse the issue by talking about united kingdoms when what we’re talking about is political independence.”

Mr Salmond unveiled his proposed question at the launch of the Scottish Government consultation on the referendum last Wednesday. As well as setting a straight Yes-No question on independence, the door has been left open to another option for maximum devolved powers within the union.

The so-called devo-max option is to be considered as part of a wider look at the constitution in an independent campaign being launched by civic bodies today.

Mr Salmond said the UK Government was also canvassing opinion on whether more than one question could be posed.

He added: “What I would advise the Prime Minister to do is this: it’s to do what I’m going to do. Listen to the voices of civic Scotland that come forward to see if there’s a real demand for having a question on fiscal autonomy, on financial powers, on the ballot paper.

“If that demand is there I think it would only be inclusive and democratic to allow that voice to be heard.”