Alex Salmond plays the game regarding Scottish independence

Alex Salmond has today announced his referendum on Scottish independence but no date has yet has been set for the crucial vote. Citing friction between political parties, the up and coming election and clarification of the exact wording of the referendum it seems as though he has played the political game to perfection and outmanoeuvred his opponents yet again. So when can we expect a referendum on Scottish independence?

While it is likely that the Scottish National Party would push for a referendum after the election is over there is a chance that the vote might never happen. Labour and the Conservatives have flip-flopped between pushing for a referendum, blocking a referendum and then again trying to push for a vote on Scottish independence to put the matter to bed once and for all. At this point in time it is unlikely that the Scottish population will vote in favour of an independent Scotland but this issue is changing on a daily basis and the SNP is still very determined to push this through.

The economic ramifications for an independent Scotland are as yet unknown because the UK government is unlikely to give up oil just off the Scottish coast which the SNP is known to have factored into its financial forecasts.