Salmond launches referendum plans

I hope UTV won’t mind too much. That in order to consider the worst possible case scenario for Northern Ireland, if Martin McGuiness in particular and, perhaps to some extent, Peter Robinson are to be heeded -- I have found irresistible the temptation to spoof on the article above by re-drafting it as follows: [ FIRST AND SECOND MINISTER’S LAUNCH PLANS. Ulster's First Minister’s have launched the consultation for a referendum on independence and unveiled the question that could lead to the end of the union between the country and the UK. Outlining their proposals in Belfast on Wednesday, they said they would present voters with a "short, straightforward and clear" choice on the country's future. The NI Assembly proposes asking the NI peoples: "Do you agree that NI should be an independent country? "Both Minister’s want the electorate to have their say. The referendum will cost about £10m to stage, and a yes vote could see the next NI Assembly elections become the elections for an independent parliament. Both Minister’s said the run-up to the historic ballot would be the "most exciting in Northern Ireland’s modern history". They said: people the length and breadth of our country will have their say in Northern Ireland's independence referendum. "Independence, in essence, is based on a simple idea: the people who care most about Northern Ireland, that is the people who live, work and bring up their families in NI, should be the ones taking the decisions about our nation's future. "No-one else is going to do a better job of making Northern Ireland a success. No-one else has the same stake in our future. The people of Northern Ireland should be in charge," he said.] Way-to-go Alex Salmond!!

Good luck to the people of Scotland. I believe its time to step from England's shadow. Its time for your lovely country to stand as a nation once again.