THERE can be no argument with the Government's decision to call a temporary halt to the Scottish referendum campaign as a mark of respect to Princess Diana.

But the vote is still to be held a week on Thursday and it is the last two weeks of such a campaign which are seen a crucial.

This is the period in which apathy gives way to interest, or so the campaigners lead us to believe.

But with a distraction of such tragic magnitude it is doubtful whether the people of Scotland will have much stomach for the vote, even in eight days' time.

The result of this poll could alter the whole structure of the United Kingdom..

In the light of this, surely it would be wiser to put back the date of the vote by at least a week.

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