SNP focus on UK poll and marriage

By The Newsroom
Published 2nd Sep 2012, 01:00 BST
PLANS to legalise same-sex marriage and to hold a referendum on independence will be at the centre of Alex Salmond’s legislative programme published this week.

MSPs return from their summer break on Tuesday, when the SNP administration is expected to unveil 15 bills for the coming parliamentary year. The marriage bill looks set to ensure that Scotland becomes the first part of the UK to allow same-sex marriages.

The First Minister will also confirm plans to press ahead with the independence referendum, even though there remains disagreement with the UK government on what form it will take.