Scots Launch Bid for Vote on Independence LONDON - Choosing a day of deep symbolic importance, Scottish authorities set out on Wednesday to prepare the ground for a potentially divisive referendum on their land's independence after three centuries of union with England that separatist leaders say is becoming increasingly irksome. Like Northern Ireland and Wales, Scotland already has its own Parliament and administration with powers over areas such as health and education as part of the United Kingdom with a dominant England. But now, the country's political leaders are pressing for a referendum on full independence or at least greatly expanded autonomy. For its part, the British government, backed by the Labour opposition, wants Scotland to remain part of the United Kingdom and differs with the Scottish authorities on both the timing of a referendum and the nature of the question it should answer. In elections last year, the Scottish National Party, led by Alex Salmond, won 69 of the 129 seats in the regional Parliament, its first majority since the Scottish assembly was created in 1999. The victory came almost 80 years after the party was founded as a minority group promising to reverse the Act of Union with England in 1707. In a speech in London on Wednesday, Mr. Salmond, Scotland's first minister, said the relationship between Scotland and England would be "much stronger" if the two countries were "clear and equal partners." "The days of Westminster politicians with a shaky mandate in Scotland - actually a nonexistent mandate in Scotland - determining the means by which Scotland will decide its own future, I think these days have gone," he said, referring to the British central government area of Westminster in London. On Wednesday, Mr. Salmond is set to lay out his plans for a referendum by launching a formal consultation with the electorate among Scotland's 5.2 million people - roughly 8 percent of the British population. The day also commemorates the birth in 1759 of Robert "Rabbie" Burns, the Scottish national poet whose anniversary is traditionally an occasion for speeches, dinners and other celebrations. Mr. Salmond has already said he wants a referendum to be held in the fall of 2014 - the 700th anniversary of the Scottish victory over the English at the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314. Scottish leaders have also indicated that they would like the referendum to ask two questions: one concerning support for complete independence and the other asking voters whether they would prefer greatly enhanced autonomy. But Prime Minister David Cameron says the Scottish authorities do not have the legal authority to hold a referendum. He also favors an earlier vote on the single question of independence, reflecting the calculation that the majority of Scots would shy from a total break with Britain. Mr. Salmond is also reported to favor a lower voting age for the referendum. "This is a big day for Scotland as we publish our detailed proposals for the referendum and consult with the people," Britain's Press Association news agency quoted a spokesman for Mr. Salmond as saying on Wednesday. Scotland is moving forward, and we look forward to the great debate that lies ahead. The Scottish government and people across Scotland believe that we can and will make a compelling case for independence - with the powers we need to build an economically successful and socially just nation. While others disagree, we do come together on the democratic principle that it is a decision for Scotland to make. And the referendum must also be made in Scotland. The debate over independence is finely nuanced, both politically and economically. Mr. Cameron's Conservatives have scant electoral support in Scotland, prompting nationalist-minded Scots to say they have no business meddling in Scottish affairs. At the same time, economists differ over whether Scotland is a net beneficiary of public funds from the United Kingdom or whether revenue from North Sea oil off the Scottish coast makes it a net contributor. Michael Moore, the British government minister responsible for Scotland, who is to meet on Friday with Mr. Salmond, said on Wednesday he wanted the Scottish authorities to acknowledge "that a legal referendum is in the interests of the Scottish people and that the two governments should work together to achieve that." I also hope they will confirm that they support a simple yes-no question on independence. That is what people expect. I also hope that if the Scottish government continue to put forward their preference of autumn 2014 for a referendum that they will justify why they want three more years of delay and economic uncertainty. But Nicola Sturgeon, the deputy first minister of Scotland, said: "There is a body of opinion in Scotland that wants to see an outcome short of independence. Our view certainly at this stage is, why should that be ruled out as an option? It's an issue of democracy and we want to hear what people have to say. John F. Burns reported from London, and Alan Cowell from Paris.