Scottish independence: Britain faces ‘constitutional crisis’ at next election

Ministers are under pressure to explain how they would respond if Scots vote for independence, as it emerged that Labour is on course to win the general election only because of its strong support in Scotland.

The latest “poll of polls” for The Independent suggests that Ed Miliband will win an overall majority of 32 next May. But if Scottish MPs are excluded, there would be a hung parliament, with Labour three seats short of a majority.

“Scotland is potentially critical to Labour’s ability to win an overall majority,” said John Curtice, professor of politics at Strathclyde University, who compiled the data. At present, Labour holds 41 of the 59 Scottish seats at Westminster and could land another five if the latest polls are reflected next May. Labour is on 35 per cent, the Conservatives 31 per cent, Ukip 13 per cent and the Liberal Democrats nine per cent.

Some Conservative MPs want Scottish voters excluded from the general election if the country decides to break away. The Scottish National Party has called for the election to be postponed so it did not disrupt negotiations before “independence day” in March 2016.

Whitehall sources said that delaying an election for the first time since the Second World War has not been discussed by ministers. But one official admitted: “It is too sensitive before the referendum, but we couldn’t duck it any longer if there were a Yes vote.”… see more

source: independent UK

Tags: Britain constitutional crisis, Politics, Scottish Independence

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