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Lyon supports independence referendum at Lib Dem conference
September 20, 2009 12:00 AM
George Lyon, Liberal Democrat MEP for Scotland, has called on the Liberal Democrats to support a referendum on Scottish independence in his speech at the party's annual conference in Bournemouth.
Mr Lyon made his call as during a debate on the future of devolution in which he supported Liberal Democrat calls for more powers for the Scottish Parliament through delivery of the Calman Commission proposals.
Commenting after his speech, Mr Lyon said:
"Liberal Democrats should relish taking on the SNP in a debate about independence. We stand united with the majority of Scots on this issue; pro devolution, anti independence, in favour of more powers and not content with the status quo.
"Calman is the antidote to the virus of independence. Like a virus, we must confront independence head on.
"We should have a straight yes-no referendum and let the Scottish people show that the Scottish National Party does not speak for Scotland.
Mr Lyon added:
"I agree with Tavish Scott and others that now is not the time to hold an independence referendum. We should be entirely focused on protecting and creating jobs to lift us out of the deepest recession for generations.
"But I believe Liberal Democrats should take the SNP on and expose their independence fantasy as a mishmash of myths and misrepresentations.
"We must make it clear that Scotland's best interests lie within a united, not a divided kingdom.
"Liberal Democrats are on the right side of this battle, on Scotland's side."
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