The Scottish independence referendum blame game has begun indy100 indy100 Indy100 logoNewsletter sign upRegister/Sign inTop 100NewsViralPoliticsCelebritiesScience & TechVideoWishlistWishlistBooksFashion & BeautyFood & DrinkHome & GardenKidsSports & FitnessTechTravel & OutdoorsMoreScience & techVideoConversationsSportIdentitiesLifestyleShowbizTVSearchxNews
The Scottish independence referendum blame game has begun
Andrew Grice (editedSep 17, 2014 The knives are being sharpened, the blame game has begun. Even before we know the result of Thursday's independence referendum, politicians have started scrambling to get their excuses in first. Here are seven people being lined up as scapegoats for the split of the union... 1 Margaret Thatcher
Some Labour figures have summoned up the ghost of Thatcher, claiming she created fertile territory for the Scottish National Party by allowing Scotland’s industries to die; imposing the poll tax a year earlier than in England and Wales and opposing devolution. 2 Tony Blair
Sir John Major last week pointed the finger of blame at Mr Blair, saying his Government left “a deadly legacy” by creating the Scottish Parliament in 1999. 3 John Smith
But Mr Blair was no fan of devolution - he inherited a firm pledge to set up the Edinburgh parliament from John Smith, his predecessor as Labour leader, who died in 1994. Mr Blair sometimes raised doubts. 4 David Cameron
Is David Cameron to blame for allowing Alex Salmond a referendum? With opinion polls suggesting that only about a third of Scots favoured independence, the prime minister judged that a straight choice between Yes and No would settle Scotland’s future for a generation. That gamble may not pay off. There is mounting evidence that Downing Street underestimated the prospect of a Yes vote until a poll put it ahead just 10 days ago, forcing the three main parties to rush out their “devo max” plan. 5 George Osborne
Some Tory MPs blame George Osborne, the Chancellor, for this negative approach, saying his trump card of ruling out a currency union with an independent Scotland turned out to be nothing of the sort. 6 Alistair Darling
Better Together, led by former chancellor Alistair Darling, has been hampered by infighting and personal feuds between the Labour figures who dominate it. Until late in the day, Gordon Brown did his own thing rather than work with Better Together, which he judged badly run, lacking campaigning nous and too close to the Conservatives. “He loathes many of its leading lights – Alistair Darling, Douglas Alexander, Jim Murphy, John Reid,” one Labour source admitted. 7 Ed Miliband
Lib Dem and Tory figures claim that Ed Miliband has failed to get over his message in a country where his left-of-centre pitch and belief in radical economic reforms should enjoy wide appeal. More: Is this the place that could hold the key to Scottish independence? More: 7 things you never realised weren't Scottish More: Ed Miliband polls worse than David Cameron in ScotlandKeep reading...Show less Maternity consultant turned artist to unveil new works at art fair
Billionaire explains what it was like to lose $70 billion in one go
First female soldier passes demanding Airborne Forces test
Please log in or register to upvote this article Top 100
Man endures ' 29 hour flight' with screaming kids for the entire trip
flightplanechildflightOct 12, 2022 How likely is it that Boris Johnson could be prime minister again
Boris Johnsonboris johnsontory leadership contesttory leadership racetory leaderTory leadershiptory leadershipConservativesconservative partyConservative Partyconservative leadership raceconservativesBoris JohnsonOct 21, 2022 The Rocky career of Dwayne Johnson
Dwayne Johnsonthe rockblack adamwweDwayne JohnsonOct 21, 2022 Lorraine Kelly hits out at Madonna' s ' boiled egg' face
madonnamadonnalorraine kellygmbshowbizplastic surgeryOct 11, 2022 Elon Musk is actually selling a ' Burnt Hair' fragrance
elon muskthe boring companyperfumeelon muskburnt hairOct 12, 2022 Jon Stewart slams Arkansas attorney general for her ' anti-trans law'
lgbt+transgenderlgbt+jon stewartapple tvarkansasus newsnewsOct 11, 2022 Every time Keir Starmer mercilessly roasted Liz Truss at PMQs today
liz trussLiz Trusspmqsprime ministerprime minister's questionspoliticskeir starmerliz trussOct 19, 2022 Keir Starmer makes hilarious swipe at Liz Truss' new ' book title'
keir stamerkeir starmerliz trusspmqsLiz Trussprime ministerpoliticskeir stamerOct 19, 2022 Just Stop Oil protester praised for ' great' explanation of soup stunt
just stop oilOct 19, 2022 Couple spark debate for ' scandalous' wedding cake topper
wedding cakeOct 12, 2022 Love Island star shows extent of how far influencers edit photos
Love IslandOct 11, 2022 Steven Seagal describes Putin as one of ' greatest world leaders'
steven seagalOct 10, 2022 Lizzo wears empowering shirt after being fat-shamed by Kanye West
lizzoOct 10, 2022 Ranking every modern prime minister' s resignation speech
prime ministerOct 20, 2022The Conversation (0)