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Scottish gov't confirms acceptance of recommended referendum questionEDINBURGH, Jan 30, 2013 (Xinhua via COMTEX) -- The Scottish government on Wednesday confirmed that it will accept all of the Electoral Commission recommendations on the independence referendum question and campaign spending limits. Scottish Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said she was delighted with the recommended question "Should Scotland be an independent country Yes/No." It will be this question that will be put before the Scottish Parliament, she was quoted as saying in a Scottish government press release. Sturgeon also said she was satisfied with the recommended spending limits as they provide a level playing field for both sides of the debate. "I would like to thank the Electoral Commission for the work they have done on testing our proposed referendum question and giving advice on campaign spending limits. I am pleased to confirm we will accept their recommendations in full," said Sturgeon. In line with established practice in referendums throughout the UK, the Scottish Parliament will take the final decision on the wording of the question and campaign spending limits as part of its consideration of the Referendum Bill, which will be introduced in March. Previously, the Scottish government proposed the wording of the ballot paper question as "Do you agree that Scotland should be an independent country " Sturgeon also welcomed the Electoral Commission's calls for clarity around what a "No" vote will mean for Scotland and its recommendation that the Scottish and UK governments work together to give clarity to the process that will follow a "Yes" vote, calling on the UK government to accept these recommendations. British Prime Minister David Cameron and Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond signed the Edinburgh Agreement in October 2012, allowing Scotland to hold an independence referendum in autumn 2014. |