"No second independence referendum
for a generation - pledges Salmond
Alex Salmond has vowed a second independence referendum would not be held
for 'a generation' if the SNP failed to secure a 'yes' vote first time around.
His pledge is in direct contrast to comments the SNP leader made at the
launch of his party’s manifesto earlier in April.
At that time Mr Salmond hinted at the possibility of another referendum if
the SNP was returned to power at Holyrood.
The strategy brought attacks from opponents that Scotland would face a
“never-endum” resulting in a long-running political stalemate.
But speaking at a debate organised by The Herald and sponsored by the
Scottish Chambers of Commerce, Mr Salmond insisted Scots would not face
repeated visits to the polls if they initially vote ‘no’.
Mr Salmond told a 200-strong audience at the Mitchell Library in Glasgow the
gap between the 1979 and 1997 devolution votes seemed a natural timescale.
Mr Salmond was in confident mood during the debate, his demeanour
undoubtedly explained by his party’s continuing lead in the opinion polls.
Mr Salmond again reiterated his preference for leading a coalition, rather
than a minority, administration.
Such a link-up would almost certainly be with the Liberal Democrats, but
their leader Nicol Stephen has appeared to rule out a coalition a fortnight
ago if the Nationalists insisted upon an independence referendum as part of
the deal. By Kevin Schofield, Scottish political correspondent
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