Following reports that the Scottish Government's referendum bill is unlikely to be presented to the Scottish Parliament in this session after opposition parties pledged to vote the bill down, Glasgow MSP Bob Doris has called on opposition politicians to clarify their anti-democratic motives.

The SNP Government had intended to bring the proposed legislation before Parliament this year, but fierce opposition to the referendum has killed off any chance of the people of Scotland having their say this side of the 2011 elections. Bob Doris said: "The British parties are an affront to democracy in denying the Scottish people a vote on their own constitutional future. The SNP has never tried to force its views on others and would rather let our people decide in a referendum.

"Labour, Tories and the Lib Dems will happily support a referendum across the UK on voting reform even though no party supports the reform. They will support a referendum calling for more powers for the Welsh Assembly and let the people decide in Wales. However, the Scottish people are being treated with contempt by not being allowed their say at the ballot box.

"Goldie, Gray and Scott are playing self-serving tactics with the most basic of democratic principles. They think the people of Scotland are there to serve them, not the other way around. The SNP will now appeal over the heads of the old British establishment parties and ask the nation directly at the 2011 elections. The UK parties plan to use Holyrood to suppress the ambitions of our nation whereas the SNP plans to advance the Scottish national interest.

"The 2011 elections will now be defined by the positive message of the SNP who want to work with the Scottish people to improve our nation, including having a say on our nation's freedom. That is in stark contrast with the vested interests of the UK parties who put their own interests above democracy itself."