Cameron, Salmond leaders sign deal on independence vote

Prime Minister David Cameron and Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond signed an agreement on Monday to hold a referendum in 2014 on Scottish independence. Prime Minister David Cameron and pro-independence First Minister Alex Salmond inked the agreement and shook hands after a meeting at the Scottish government building St Andrews House in Edinburgh. Cameron strongly opposes a Scottish breakaway and the signing of the terms for the vote fires the starting gun on two years of campaigning which puts the leaders firmly in opposing camps. After months of negotiations, the deal clears the way for Scotland's administration to hold the referendum in the final quarter of 2014, offering Scots a straight yes-no question on leaving the United Kingdom. "This is an important day for our United Kingdom, but you can't hold a country in the United Kingdom against the will of its people," Cameron said. "Scotland voted for a party that wanted to hold a referendum. I believe in showing respect. This is the right outcome for Scotland and for the United Kingdom to give the people the choice. "But I passionately hope and believe that they will vote to keep the United Kingdom together. We are better off together, we are stronger together, we are safer together." Salmond said before the signing that the agreement "will see Scotland take an important step toward independence, and the means to create a fairer and more prosperous Scotland. "I look forward to working positively for a yes vote in 2014." Cameron's Conservatives will be joined by their Liberal Democrat coalition partners in the British parliament and the opposition Labour party in urging voters to keep Britain together.The marathon campaign will pit them against Salmond's Scottish National Party (SNP), the majority party in the devolved Edinburgh parliament. The terms have been signed as support among Scots for independence appears to be slipping, with a survey by pollsters TNS-BMRB released last week showing 28 percent in favour and 53 percent opposed. Salmond has said he wants independence "not because I think we are better than any other country, but because I know that we are as good as any other country". The SNP had pressed for the 2014 date, giving them time to try to win over voters and coinciding with the anniversary of the 1314 Battle of Bannockburn -- a famous Scots victory over the English. -- One question on ballot paper -- ---------------------------------- The vote is expected to break new ground by including 16 and 17-year-olds, a move favoured by Salmond's side, but in a concession to the British government the ballot paper will not offer a third option of increased devolution. Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon denied that the lack of this option was a defeat for the Scottish government. She told BBC radio: "We have never said we wanted a second question on the ballot paper. What we did say was that option shouldn't be ruled out prematurely. "But in any negotiation there has to be compromise. Both sides have compromised but overall I'm very satisfied that we have a deal that guarantees a referendum made in Scotland." Michael Moore, the minister responsible for Scotland, said it was stronger as part of the United Kingdom. "The opportunities in continuing to be part of the United Kingdom are strong," he told BBC radio. "What we've not had so far is anybody spelling out what independence will look like -- (there are) lots of risks attached to it which have not yet been thought through by the SNP." The wording of the question for the referendum must be submitted to the Electoral Commission for approval, but Scotland has held a consultation using the question "Do you agree that Scotland should be an independent country?" Salmond, who has pushed for a referendum since his party won a majority in the Scottish parliament in May 2011, says Scotland -- with a population of five million -- should be able to run its own foreign, economic and defence policies. The devolved Scottish government currently has powers over areas such as health and education, as well as a separate legal system. A potential separation raises questions about what would happen to revenues from North Sea oil reserves. Salmond has said he wants to retain the sterling currency and the monarch as head of state.