The Scottish National Party (SNP), which runs Scotland's devolved government, wants to hold a referendum on independence in 2014. The British government, a coalition of Conservatives and Liberal Democrats, opposes a break-up of the United Kingdom. The executive in London has agreed to a referendum but says it should take place earlier than 2014, leaving the SNP less time to build momentum for their cause. "We expect those who support the break-up of Britain to explain the consequences for the jobs and lives of ordinary Scots," said Ian Davidson, head of the Scottish Affairs Committee in the British parliament's House of Commons, releasing a new report on referendum issues on Wednesday. Davidson, who represents a constituency in Glasgow, is a member of the opposition Labour party, which has traditionally been strong in Scotland and also opposes independence. Polls suggest that support for independence among Scots stands at between 30 and 40 percent. The SNP hopes it can increase that by 2014, when national pride will be boosted by the 700th anniversary of the Battle of Bannockburn, a famous victory over the English, and by Scotland hosting the Ryder Cup and the Commonwealth Games. The party is also hedging its bets by demanding that Scots be offered a middle way between the status quo and outright independence, in the form of a "devolution-max" option. The view from London is very different. Prime Minister David Cameron has said a vote should take place before 2014 because uncertainty over the future is damaging Scotland, and the government wants the choices on offer to be a straightforward yes or no to independence.