Danny Alexander questions timing of Scottish independence referendum Published on Thursday 26 January 2012 12:38 THE Scottish Government's referendum plans came under scrutiny today as Chief Secretary to the Treasury Danny Alexander questioned why Scots will have to wait "a thousand more days" before the vote is held. Politicians at Westminster have repeatedly argued that the ballot on the country's constitutional future should be held sooner rather than later. Mr Alexander has challenged the Scottish Government's preferred date for the poll of autumn 2014. Holyrood Finance Secretary John Swinney insisted that was now the "established date" for the historic vote to take place. But Mr Alexander questioned the Scottish National Party administration's timetable the day after First Minister Alex Salmond unveiled his referendum proposals to Holyrood. Mr Salmond said he wanted to give voters a "short, straightforward and clear" choice by asking them: "Do you agree that Scotland should be an independent country?" Mr Alexander welcomed the "focus on a single clear question on whether or not Scotland should be independent" today. Both the Scottish and UK governments are now running consultations on the independence referendum. Mr Alexander said: "I still think there's a question people will want to consider when they respond to these consultations about why it is we have to wait a thousand more days before we can get on and have this question asked. I remember back in 2009 when the SNP Government last set out plans for a referendum, they said they were going to call it in 2010. So back then they thought they could get the job done in a year. The Scottish Government consultation published yesterday revealed its consultation would run until 11 May. All responses then have to be analysed, with the the SNP administration due to introduce a Referendum Bill to Holyrood early next year. This could then be passed by October 2013, and gain Royal Assent the month after that. As the Gould inquiry into the problems in the 2007 Scottish elections recommended a period of time pass between legislation on a ballot becoming law and the subsequent vote, the Scottish Government has earmarked autumn 2014 for the referendum. Mr Swinney defended that timetable, saying: "This is the biggest decision in 300 years so it must be founded in a fashion in which people have confidence. That means we've got to consult first on the approach to the question, the process, of the referendum. We then have to make sure that Parliament has adequate opportunity to legislate. If we were to cut any corners in the legislative process, I'm sure I would be on this programme answering questions about jiggery-pokery. The final element is we must make sure that the recommendation that came forward from the Gould Commission, which examined all of the difficulties that were created by the UK Government in the 2007 elections, are fully respected and reflected in our timetable. That means there must be adequate time for there to be discussion after the legislation has been put in place. That's why autumn 2014 is now the established date. He added: "It's quite clear to me, although UK ministers can't quite see it yet, that autumn 2014 is now the established date for the referendum."