The MP for Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale, David Mundell, has welcomed Monday’s agreement between Prime Minister David Cameron and First Minister Alex Salmond over the 2014 Scottish independence referendum.
The historic deal paves the way for a referendum to take place in autumn 2014, with a single Yes/No question on Scotland leaving the United Kingdom.
The agreement, which has been worked on for the last few months, will see the voter age lowered, allowing 16 and 17-year-olds to take part in the referendum.
Mr Mundell, who, as a Scottish Office Minister, has been involved in the referendum talks, said: “I welcome the agreement between Scotland’s two Governments to have a fair, legal and decisive referendum.
He added: “Now we've dealt with the process, we can get on with the real arguments. In the coming months we can start the debate about substantial issues including the economy, currency, pensions, welfare and defence.”
Mr Mundell said that he firmly believed Scotland would not only be better off in the United Kingdom but that the United Kingdom would be better off with Scotland.
“I and my colleagues will be making a positive case for Scotland’s continued place within the United Kingdom, which combines the strength and stability of a G7 nation with pound-for-pound the best armed forces in the world, while retaining complete decision-making powers in Scotland over health, education and justice.”
He added that he was against the idea of extending a referendum vote to 16 and 17 year olds, but that decision would be one made by the Scottish Parliament.