Salmond rejects calls for early referendum

Alex Salmond has dismissed calls for an early referendum on Scottish independence as a poll showed a UK majority favouring greater self-rule north of the border.

The First Minister insisted he would go to the polls in the second half of the four-year parliamentary cycle, as set out in the Scottish National Party’s (SNP) manifesto.

His vow came as research by ComRes for the Independent on Sunday and Sunday Mirror found support for independence had risen sharply over recent months.

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In the UK overall, 39 per cent of those surveyed agreed Scotland should be an independent country – an increase of six points since May.

The number disagreeing with the statement fell four points to 38 per cent.

Prime Minister David Cameron last week urged Mr Salmond to test opinion with an early referendum.

But the SNP leader said yesterday: “I made it clear we would hold a referendum in the second half of the parliamentary term.

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“That’s what we said we would do and that’s what we intend to do and no amount of blustering from the Prime Minister is going to change that view.”

He added: “Among ordinary folk in England, there’s a substantial amount of support for the idea Scotland wants to stand on its own two feet and make its own way in the world.”

He claimed “the days of Westminster politicians telling Scotland what to do” were over, saying: “We had generations of being ordered about from Westminster. That’s gone now.”

Mr Salmond said only the SNP had a mandate to call a referendum.