London politicians gulled Scottish voters out of independence by making a false “vow” to grant Glasgow extra powers, First Minister Alex Salmond has said. He also raised the prospect of another referendum, saying the break-up is inevitable.
Alex Salmond, leader of the 'Yes' campaign and the outgoing head
of the Scottish National Party (SNP), told the BBC's Sunday
Politics program that the UK government won last Thursday's
referendum vote by 55-45 percent by deceiving the people ahead
the referendum and promising to rapidly expand Scottish autonomy.
"I think the vow was something cooked up in desperation for
the last few days of the campaign and I think everyone in
Scotland now realizes that," said Salmond.
"It is the people who were persuaded to vote no, who were
misled, who were gulled, who were tricked effectively," he
added. "They are the ones who are really angry."
Just over a week before the historic referendum, Britain’s major
political parties promised Scots more autonomy over tax and
welfare spending if they chose to stay in the UK.
Following the referendum results and Scotland’s decision to stay
in the union, British Prime Minister David Cameron said that
constitutional reforms, including in Scotland, would not be
delivered until after the general election, and the changes would
be linked with those in Britain.
Salmond said he was “surprised by the speed” in which
the UK authorities started breaking their vow, adding that they
are “totally shameless in these matters.”
"Within 24 hours they started to tear up the
commitments," he said.
On Sunday, Downing Street dismissed Salmond’s claims that
Britain's three major political parities are continuing to
disagree over handling the process of devolution.
The spokesman for David Cameron said the government is still
committed to move forward with the new powers over tax, spending,
and welfare, stating the issues are to be agreed on by November
and the legislation is to be drafted by January.
Salmond raised the prospect of a future referendum, which could
be justified if the UK parties fail to honor their pledge. He
said that in his “personal view,” a referendum could
only be staged around once in every 20 years. However, “there
are always things can change circumstances.”
In another interview with Sky News’ Murnaghan program on Sunday,
Salmond elaborated on the issue, saying the break-up of the UK is
inevitable and is only a matter of time.
“I mean when you have a situation where the majority of a
country up to the age of 55 is already voting for independence
then I think the writing’s on the wall for Westminster. I think
the destination is pretty certain, we are only now debating the
timescale and the method,” he said.
“I think Scots of my generation and above should really be
looking at themselves in the mirror and wonder if we by majority,
as a result of our decision, have actually impeded progress for
the next generation which is something no generation should
do.”
He argued that there might be other ways to break ties with the
UK, including Scotland's parliament gaining more leverage and
then declaring independence. However, he stressed that a
referendum still remains “the best route.”
Salmond, who announced his resignation on Friday, told BBC that
he will still “be part of the political process,” but he
wants to give a chance to others after serving as leader of the
SNP for two ten-year stretches.