Kevin Lang calls for independence referendum to save United Kingdom

4.22.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Sun 20th Sep 2009

Local Edinburgh North & Leith Liberal Democrat, Kevin Lang today became the first Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate to openly call for a referendum on Scottish independence.

Speaking during a debate at the Liberal Democrat Federal Conference on the future of devolution, Kevin, a strong supporter of Scotland remaining part of the United Kingdom, argued that the SNP's arguments in favour of Scottish independence had to be taken 'head on' and that a referendum would allow for a proper debate on the overwhelming benefits of the Union versus separation.

His call was quickly backed by George Lyon, the newly elected Liberal Democrat MEP, who also supported an independence referendum.

Speaking following the debate, Kevin said,

"This was a difficult decision to speak to out. However, as a staunch supporter of the United Kingdom, I believe we need to have an open debate about Scotland's place in the UK and expose the many myths that are peddled about independence.

"Independence is an issue that is haunting Scottish politics and I think it is time for the people to decide in a referendum. I trust the people and the trust their judgement. I know that if a referendum was held, a majority of Scots would vote to remain part of the United Kingdom. It is time to give people that say."

Kevin's speech in full to the Bournemouth conference.

Conference,

After 10 years of devolution in Scotland, it is we Liberal Democrats that can look back with pride;

look back with pride at the key and pivotal role we played in the Scottish Constitutional Convention that helped to create the Scottish Parliament;

look back with pride with the energy and conviction with which we successfully campaigned for a yes vote in the referendum;

and look back with pride at the difference that we Liberal Democrats made during those ten years, ensuring no Scottish student pays tuition fees, ensuring older person is forced to sell their houses to pay for personal care, providing free eye and dental checks.

These are accomplishments that have and continue to make me proud to be a Scottish Liberal Democrat.

And conference we can look back with pride, both in Scotland and in Wales in showing how a fair votes electoral system can and does provide a fairer more representative parliament and assembly that better reflects the broad varied views of the nations we serve and proof, if indeed any were needed, that Westminster must now follow this example, to end the unfair first past the post and move to be elected by fair votes.

However, conference this motion is not about looking at the past.

In Scotland, we are looking to the future, looking to build on the progress we have made, looking to provide a 21st century politics for a 21st century Scotland.

However conference, in Scotland, we face a danger - a grave danger.

We face an SNP Government committed.....obsessed even, with scrapping the Union that has served Scotland and the UK so well - to take my country down their narrow road of nationalism.

Just this month, Alex Salmond announced his plans to bring forward legislation for a referendum on independence within the next year of the Scottish Parliament.

It is clear that their every act, their every policy is driven with one aim in mind, to rip Scotland from the United Kingdom.

I believe the SNP have introduced their bill in the expectation....indeed, in the hope that it will fail to pass through the Scottish Parliament.

Because they know that when their plans come under scrutiny, they come undone.

They fear a proper debate, a true analysis of benefits of the Union versus independence and know that a majority of Scots support and value their place in the UK.

And conference, it is for that reason that I have come to disagree with those of my colleagues who have opposed an independence referendum.

I believe that now the time for the Liberal Democrats to support a referendum and to take the SNP and their arguments head on.

Just last year, this party promised a referendum on the United Kingdom's place in the European Union. We believed then that it was time to take on the European sceptics, to argue with them on the facts, on the evidence, to dispel their mistruths and innuendo, to show that Britain was at its best when at the heart of Europe.

And for the very same reasons, I believe now is the time for us to support a referendum on Scotland's place in the UK. It is time to have that debate, to take on the SNP, confident in our arguments, confident in our campaigning.

I believe it is an argument and debate we can and would win, and allow to us to settle an issue that is haunting Scottish politics and to settle it for a generation.

Of course, there are some who say that now, in a time of economic downturn, at a time of unemployment, of redundancy, of uncertainty; a referendum is an unnecessary distraction. I could not disagree more.

The recession and the crisis in the banking industry have underlined the importance of Scotland's place in the Union. The economic downturn has, I believe made the case for the UK even more compelling, even more convincing.

Conference, I am proud to be Scottish and I am proud to be British. I passionately believe in the Union, in the benefits of the Union and believe we must do all we can to preserve it.

I believe that cause is best served by having a open debate on the Union to defeat those who attempt to destroy it.