Dundee LibDems say SNP on road to nowhere
Dundee Liberal Democrats today (Sunday 18th March) highlighted the Scottish LibDem campaign poster - "SNP's Road to Nowhere" - launched by Tavish Scott MSP today.
It uses the SNP's symbol to demonstrate their increasingly desperate flip-flops as they seek to distance themselves from separation, which is opposed by a significant majority of people in Scotland.
Tavish said, "The SNP are trying to soften up their separatist rhetoric a little more with every passing day. It's an old trick. Over the years they have flip-flopped, u-turned and zigzagged.
"From now until the 3rd of May they will try to give the impression that separation is only a distant ideal, rather than the main reason for their existence.
"But disguises and diversions are not going to hide their true aim.
"The SNP have made it plain that separation is first, last and everything.
"They have made the separation their single key policy. They will always put breaking up the UK before health, education and crime."
Locally, here in Dundee, LibDem spokesperson Chris Hall said, "The Scottish Liberal Democrats have a positive vision for Scotland - the SNP are stuck in the rhetoric of the past."
You can download the PDF of the campaign poster below, but meantime have a look at the SNP journey to the square root of nothing:
"Scotland is indeed on a constitutional journey - and it is a journey that will end at Independence Central." - Pete Wishart MP
First stop
"free by 93"
1992 Campaign slogan
Second stop
"Referendum during first Parliament"
1999 manifesto
"Hold a referendum within the first four year term of the Parliament"
Third stop
"Fiscal autonomy now the big idea"
2003
"Financial Independence is the big idea"
Swinney kicks-off Financial Independence Winter Campaign
http://www.snp.org/press-releases/2003/news.1662/
"Financial Independence is the big idea of Scottish politics and a critical mass for change is building. I will give this campaign a focus and my message is simple; the status quo is untenable."
Fourth stop
"Parliamentary majority for independence needed first"
Alex Salmond's 2003 conference speech - "Referendum 'road map' to Independence" 2003-09-25
"Winning a parliamentary majority for an Independence referendum - a consensus for the right of the people to decide - is part and parcel of winning Independence."
Fifth stop
"Referendum bill in the first 100 days"
April 2006
"In the first 100 days of being First Minister - we will publish the referendum bill."
Salmond speech to Dundee conference, 8 April 2006
"And so today let me spell out just seven of the things which I intend to do in the first 100 days of being First Minister. We will publish the referendum bill signalling our intention to give the opportunity for our people to vote on independence in the course of the first term of office."
Sixth stop
"Referendum is non negotiable"
Sunday Times 17th September 2006
"We'll go into this with it (the referendum on Independence a) non-negotiable for us - it's a key aspect of our policy."
Seventh stop
"More powers for Holyrood first perhaps a referendum"
March 2007
"…getting more powers at the Parliament and then at a later junction saying: OK, let's now look at going that little bit more."
SNP rethink on independence
11/03/07
Scotland on Sunday
"We have got to prove ourselves to the electorate before we go for a referendum."
"What we have got to do is show people that we are competent and then move matters forward through getting more powers at the Parliament and then at a later junction saying: OK, let's now look at going that little bit more."
Eighth stop
"Referendum 'when the time is right'"
Jan 2007
Salmond: "We'll introduce the bill into the Parliament when the timing is right"
BBC Scotland's Politics Show, 14 Jan 2007
Salmond said:
"We are going to hold the referendum within the four-year term. I am not going to negotiate on the principle of having the referendum. What we have to do is be able to have some flexibility on the timing. We'll introduce the bill into the Parliament when the timing is right."
Ninth stop
Referendum probably after UK election
Jan 2007
"Soon after the UK general election is seen as a window in which the referendum might best be held."
Sunday Times, 28 Jan 2007
"Soon after the UK general election is seen as a window in which the referendum might best be held because there will be a new political landscape," said a source close to the leader.
Separation Central
After some unspecified election, at some point in the future
SNP website currently says: "After a Holyrood election, an SNP Government will introduce a measure in the Scottish Parliament arranging for a consultative referendum to be held on the issue of Independence."