New Lib Dem leader will consider backing vote on independence

THE prospect of a multi-option referendum on Scottish independence came a step closer yesterday when Tavish Scott, the new leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats, said he was willing to consider the proposal.

He easily saw off the challenge from his two rivals, Ross Finnie and Mike Rumbles, capturing almost 60 per cent of the vote in the leadership poll, the results of which were announced yesterday afternoon.

But the 42-year-old Shetland MSP has always been a vociferous opponent of an independence referendum.

He was instrumental in rejecting post-election overtures from the First Minister, Alex Salmond, about a possible SNP-Lib Dem coalition because the Nationalists were demanding such a plebiscite.

But after he was elected leader yesterday, Mr Scott softened his stance on a referendum, saying it was something he was prepared to consider.

"We will see what legislation the SNP come forward with," he said.

Asked whether he was intuitively against a referendum on independence, he replied: "I am not intuitively against making sure that people have a choice and an opportunity to cast a vote on these things, but I believe it should be a strengthened Scotland within the UK."

Mr Scott's decision to ease his opposition to a referendum on independence was partly in response to the issue being raised during the leadership campaign.

His rival Mr Rumbles was willing to let the party decide its position, rather than impose a blanket rejection from the leadership.

The new leader's position seems to follow this line, and the Scottish Liberal Democrats might take a decision on the issue at their next conference next spring.

By that time, the Calman Commission looking at the powers of the Scottish Parliament will have reported, and there may be a groundswell of opinion for a multi-option referendum, asking Scots to choose between the status quo, more powers for the parliament or independence.

A spokesman for the First Minister congratulated Mr Scott on his election, but then compared his confusing stance on a referendum with that of the former Labour leader Wendy Alexander, who made a high-profile U-turn in favour of a referendum earlier this year, before retreating from that position.

The spokesman said: "We had Wobbly Wendy, and now we have Twisting Tavish. Tavish Scott was previously known for his hardline opposition to a referendum, and now we look forward to him upholding Liberal Democrat principles and supporting the Scottish Government's referendum bill in 2010."

Murdo Fraser, the deputy leader of the Scottish Tories, also got in a dig, saying: "We congratulate Tavish on his election as the Lib Dem leader. He will have a tough job as he takes over the reins of Scotland's fourth party, especially since Scottish politics is now a three-horse race."

The post of leader fell vacant when Nicol Stephen stood down last month for family reasons.

Mr Scott, who will travel to Glenrothes in Fife today to campaign for his party ahead of the by-election there, secured 59 per cent of the first-choice votes, easily surpassing the 50 per cent plus one threshold to win outright after the first count.

A total of 2,457 party members voted in the contest: 1,450 voted for Mr Scott, 568 for Mr Finnie (23.1 per cent) and 439 for Mr Rumbles (17.9 per cent).

Mr Scott said: "Can I thank the party for this, the gold medal of the Liberal Democrats Olympics."

The leadership result was announced at Murrayfield Stadium in Edinburgh,.

In front of an audience of MPs, MSPs and party activists, the new leader was quick to train his sights on the Scottish Government.

Mr Scott said: "After less than 18 months in government, the SNP is riding high in the polls. They're popular, but here's my prediction – by 2010 they will not be.

"We can already see the underlying weakness that will undo Alex Salmond. What looks confident, sure-footed and wise today will be seen as arrogant, misguided and politically dishonest tomorrow.

"Spin is the hallmark of this government, but spin has a shelf life."

Nick Clegg, the UK Liberal Democrat leader, welcomed Mr Scott's victory.

"Tavish will address the issues that matter most to the people of Scotland, not the narrow-minded squabbles of the Nationalists and Labour," he said.