Scottish independence: Call for review of referendum question

The SNP want to see a vote on the issue of independence in the autumn of 2014

Opposition leaders have pressed for an independent commission to draw up the question to be put in Scotland's independence referendum.

First Minister Alex Salmond wants voters should be asked: "Do you agree that Scotland should be an independent country?"

Critics warn this encourages a yes vote by not mentioning an end to the Union.

The call for to review the question comes ahead of next week's launch of the campaign to keep the UK.

The Scottish Labour Conservative and Liberal Democrat leaders have written jointly to Mr Salmond, suggesting there should be an independent commission to draft the question.

They intend to sound out Ron Gould, the Canadian elections expert who examined the Holyrood voting system in the aftermath of the 2007 Scottish election fiasco.

Scottish Labour leader Johann Lamont, said: "Whatever the result of this referendum, it is vital that the day after it all of Scotland can come together to build a better future for our nation.

"If we are to achieve that then the process of the referendum must be beyond question.

"That is why we believe that the process of setting a single question should be taken out of the hands of elected politicians and given to relevant experts the public can have faith in."

The Tories' Ruth Davidson, added: "The people of Scotland deserve a fair question that will frame the most important decision Scotland has faced in 300 years.

"Such a task should be given to respected constitutional experts, who are best placed to decide on the fairest form of words to be put on the ballot paper for the proposed referendum, and all parties need to be satisfied with the process."

Willie Rennie, the Liberal Democrat leader, argued: "Every example from across the world shows that if the question asked is not fair and unambiguous, then the debate leading up to the vote is more likely to become confused."

Mr Salmond, who will reply to the letter "in due course" has already said the Electoral Commission watchdog will advise on the suitability of options presented to them ahead of the expected autumn 2014 referendum.

A spokesman for Scottish government Parliament Secretary Bruce Crawford said the opposition call had been overtaken by events.

"The anti-independence parties said that they wanted the independent Electoral Commission to test the referendum question, and that is exactly what will happen," said the spokesman.

"The Scottish government announced in May that, as well as the Electoral Commission having responsibility for regulating the referendum, as set out in our consultation document, the commission will also test the ballot paper, including the question.

"And this will be done in autumn/winter 2012, as provided for in the referendum timetable detailed on page 14 of the consultation document.

"It means that Scotland's referendum will exactly reflect the terms of Westminster legislation governing all other referendums in the UK - the government propose the question or questions, the Electoral Commission advise on the question or questions, and parliament decides.