Alex, it's time to ditch plans for referendum; OPINION.

IT would be fair to say most Scots are not desperate to discuss the constitutional future of our country.

We realise power can ebb and flow from Holyrood to Westminster but it's not an issue that dominates our lives or conversation.

So surely our politicians can divert their gaze away from their constitutional navel and concentrate on schools, hospitals and keeping our streets safe.

To pass a referendum bill through the Scottish Parliament, the minority SNP government need other parties. But they are not prepared to dance to Alex Salmond's tune.

The First Minister must realise it is time to give up his dream of a 2010 referendum.

It is a busted flush and political emphasis should be on reviving the economy and helping people who have lost their jobs.

The SNP ditched plans for a local income tax as they did not have a Holyrood majority.

With the Lib Dems yesterday ruling out support for a referendum, Salmond should kick his independence plans into the long grass.

If he wants to revive the plans later, his party should first win enough seats at the next Scottish Parliament election to push through the legislation on their own.

Now is not the time for a pointless game of political football when we already know the final score.

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Time to decide: Alex Salmond