BBC Scotland Interview with Wendy Alexander
Extract of BBC Scotland interview on 28 March 2008:
Q. Brian Taylor: John Ferry of Benbecula asks why don't you have a referendum, why do you deny the people of Scotland the right to decide in a referendum if they want independence or your devolution plus option?
A. Wendy Alexander: We were in favour of devolution, we came up with scheme, we took it to the people, people voted for a devolved parliament. We now have that. I'm not going to pre-judge the outcome of Sir Kenneth enquiry, one of the things is that if you set up an independent enquiry then you have to let it reach a judgement about how significant the changes it is proposing are.
And you know, if the SNP want to advocate independence then that's up to them, but they have to win a majority in parliament, for them to pursue this and they currently don't have it.
Q. Brian Taylor: If you think you are right that devolution plus is as you said, 'vastly popular' then why not put it to the test by asking the people?
A. Wendy Alexander: Well you are asking me about devolution plus and what I said is lets wait and see what Kenneth comes up with.
Q. Brian Taylor: Why are you against the referendum? What's wrong with it?
A. Wendy Alexander: Because I don't believe in independence, it's as simple as that.
Q. Brian Taylor: So you think you might lose that's why you are against the referendum?
A. Wendy Alexander: No far from it. If you believe in independence argue for it.
Q. Brian Taylor: Well why not put it to the test?
A. Wendy Alexander: It's not my politics. I didn't come into politics to rip Scotland out of the UK. Those who want it should argue for it.
