The issue of an independence referendum is dominating the leadership campaigns of both Labour and the LibDems – before they have even formally started - with contenders for the leadership of the Liberal Democrats squabbling over the party's position on a referendum following the resignation of Nicol Stephen as party leader.

Lib Dem MSP and confirmed leadership candidate Mike Rumbles this morning on BBC Radio Scotland called for the party membership to debate support for a referendum on independence at its autumn conference whilst potential candidate Jeremy Purvis insisted the LibDems opposition to a referendum should continue.
 

Commenting Glasgow SNP MSP Bill Kidd said: "The SNP wish Nicol Stephen all the best for his future, but it is ironic that in less than a week the Liberal Democrats have become the second party to fall into chaos over their position on a referendum on Scotland's constitutional future.

"With Labour's internal election contest centring on Wendy Alexander's u-turn in support of a referendum it now looks like both contests will be dominated by issue of an independence referendum.

"It now looks like the Liberal Democrats contest will be over the refusal to allow a referendum. For a party of "democrats" the LibDems position on a referendum has always been a contradiction.

"Whilst the opposition looks set to spend the summer fighting amongst themselves the SNP will continue to work in Government and across the country to support people in Scotland and to ensure that the decision over Scotland's constitutional future is made by the Scottish public in a referendum."

Note:

On Good Morning Scotland Mike Rumbles stated that the Liberal Democrats as a party should decide the party's position on an Independence Referendum.

Potential candidate Jeremy Purvis indicated that he agreed with Nicol Stephen's policy of opposing a referendum.