David Cameron might take Scottiish independence referendum off Alex Salmond - Telegraph.co.uk

The Prime Minister is deeply unhappy about this prospect, believing it to be confusing and unlikely to lead to a clear – cut verdict. Instead he wants the voters to be asked a simple question, along the following lines: "Do you wish Scotland to remain part of the United Kingdom?" Last night a Westminster source with inside knowledge of the new hard – line stance being adopted by Mr Cameron commented: "Mr Salmond must be honest and straightforward with the Scottish people in his phrasing of the question for the referendum. If he isn't we will conduct the referendum."

There is a new – found urgency in Westminster and Whitehall over the Coalition's approach towards Mr Salmond, who is claiming that his success in achieving an overall majority last month gives him an instant mandate to demand a host of new responsibilities – short of full independence – for the Scottish Parliament.

But today Mr Clegg, one of whose government responsibilities is the constitution, is expected to spell out that the Cabinet is currently reluctant to hand over all of the extra powers when he meets Mr Salmond in Edinburgh.

As well as the new Cabinet committee significant efforts are under way in London and Scotland to establish a cross – party grouping of MPs, MSPs and leading figures from business and industry to fight the nationalists in the run – up to a referendum.