2014 Scottish independence referendum: Difference between revisions
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{{Short description|Referendum held in Scotland}} |
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{{Redirect|Indyref|other uses of the term|Independence referendum}} |
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{{Pp-move-indef|small=yes}} |
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{{Use British English|date=May 2020}} |
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{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2020}} |
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{{Infobox referendum |
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| title = Should Scotland be an independent country? |
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| country = Scotland |
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| flag_year = 2014 |
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| date = {{Start date|2014|09|18|df=y}} |
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| yes = 1617989 |
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| no = 2001926 |
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| no_text = [[File:Dark Red x.svg|13px|link=|]] '''No''' |
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| total = 3623344 |
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| electorate = 4283392 |
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| map = [[File:2014 Scottish Independence Referendum by Council Areas.svg |center|270px]] |
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| mapdivision = [[Subdivisions of Scotland#Council areas|council area]] |
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| map_caption = Results by local voting area <br />'''No''': {{legend0|#FFD5D5|50–52.5%}} {{legend0|#FAA|52.5–55%}} {{legend0|#FF8080|55-57.5%}} {{legend0|#F55|57.5-60%}} {{legend0|#FF2A2A|60–62.5%}} {{legend0|#F00|62.5–65%}} {{legend0|#D40000|65-67.5%}} <br />'''Yes''': {{legend0|#D5E5FF|50–52.5%}} {{legend0|#AACCFF|52.5–55%%}} {{legend0|#80B3FF|55-57.5%}} |
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}} |
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{{Politics of Scotland}} |
{{Politics of Scotland}} |
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{{UK Referendums}} |
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The [[Scottish Government]] intends to hold a '''referendum''' of the [[Scotland|Scottish]] electorate on the issue of [[Scottish independence|independence]] from the [[United Kingdom]] in the autumn of 2014.<ref name="BBC">{{cite news|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-16478121|title=Scotland to hold independence poll in 2014 – Salmond|date=10 January 2012|publisher=BBC|accessdate=10 January 2012}}</ref> The '''Referendum Bill''' is a proposed [[Bill (proposed law)|parliamentary bill]] to set out the arrangements for this referendum which is likely to be put forward in 2013.<ref>http://www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/2012/05/referendum-consultation11052012</ref> |
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{{United Kingdom formation}} |
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<!-- no bolding per [[WP:BOLDTITLE]] -->A [[independence referendum|referendum]] on [[Scottish independence]] from the [[United Kingdom]] was held in [[Scotland]] on 18 September 2014.<ref name="BBC 2013-03-21">{{Cite web |date=21 March 2013 |title=Scottish independence: Referendum to be held on 18 September, 2014 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-21828424 |access-date=13 March 2018 |website=BBC News |publisher=BBC}}</ref> The referendum question was "Should Scotland be an independent country?", which voters answered with "Yes" or "No".<ref>{{Cite web |title=Scottish independence referendum – GOV.UK |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/topical-events/scottish-independence-referendum/about |access-date=1 December 2015 |website=gov.uk}}</ref> The "No" side won with 2,001,926 (55.3%) voting against independence and 1,617,989 (44.7%) voting in favour. The turnout of 84.6% was the highest recorded for an election or referendum in the United Kingdom since the [[January 1910 general election]], which was held before the introduction of [[universal suffrage]]. |
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A [[white paper]] for the bill, setting out four possible options ranging from no change to full independence, was published on 30 November 2009. A draft bill for public consultation was published on 25 February 2010, setting out a two question yes/no referendum, proposing both further [[devolution]] or full independence. The [[Scottish National Party]] (SNP) [[minority government]] failed to obtain support for a referendum from other parties and eventually withdrew their plan for a referendum before the [[Scottish Parliament election, 2011|2011 election]]. After winning an outright majority, the SNP pledged to hold an independence referendum. On 10 January 2012, the Scottish Government announced that they intend to hold the referendum in the autumn of 2014. The principal issues in the referendum are economic policy, defence arrangements, continued relations with the UK and membership of supranational organizations, particularly the [[European Union]]. |
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The [[Scottish Independence Referendum Act 2013]] set out the arrangements for the referendum and was passed by the [[Scottish Parliament]] in November 2013, following an [[Edinburgh Agreement (2012)|agreement]] between the devolved Scottish government and the Government of the United Kingdom. The independence proposal required a simple majority to pass. All European Union (EU) or [[Commonwealth of Nations|Commonwealth]] citizens residing in Scotland age 16 or over could vote, with some exceptions, which produced a total electorate of almost 4,300,000 people. This was the first time that the electoral franchise was extended to include 16- and 17-year-olds in Scotland. |
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==History== |
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{{long|section|date=August 2012}} |
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===Devolution referendums=== |
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[[File:Uk map scotland.png|left|thumb|120px|Scotland's location within the United Kingdom.]] |
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A proposal for [[Scottish devolution]] was put to a [[Scottish devolution referendum, 1979|referendum in 1979]], but resulted in no change, despite a narrow majority of votes cast being in favour of change.<ref name = "1979 referendum">{{cite news|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/special/politics97/devolution/scotland/briefing/79referendums.shtml|title=The 1979 Referendums|work=[[BBC News]]|publisher=BBC|date=|accessdate=16 January 2012}}</ref> A Labour backbench MP successfully inserted a clause that the number voting 'Yes' had to exceed 40% of the total electorate.<ref name = "1979 referendum"/> No further constitutional reform was proposed under the Conservative Thatcher and Major governments between 1979 and 1997. Soon after Labour returned to power in 1997, a [[Scottish devolution referendum, 1997|second Scottish devolution referendum]] was held.<ref name = "1997 referendum"/> Clear majorities expressed support for both a devolved [[Scottish Parliament]] and that Parliament having the power to vary the basic rate of income tax.<ref name = "1997 referendum">{{cite news|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/special/politics97/devolution/scotland/live/index.shtml|title=Scottish Referendum Live – The Results|work=BBC News|publisher=BBC|date=|accessdate=16 January 2012}}</ref> |
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[[Yes Scotland]] was the main campaign group for independence, while [[Better Together (campaign)|Better Together]] was the main campaign group in favour of maintaining the union. Many [[List of endorsements in the 2014 Scottish independence referendum|other campaign groups]], political parties, businesses, newspapers, and prominent individuals were also involved. Prominent issues raised during the referendum included what currency an independent Scotland would use, public expenditure, EU membership, and [[North Sea oil]]. An exit poll revealed that retention of the [[pound sterling]] was the deciding factor for those who voted No, while "disaffection with [[Parliament of the United Kingdom|Westminster]] politics" was the deciding factor for those who voted Yes.<ref name="AshcroftExitPoll" /> |
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===2007 SNP administration=== |
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{{see|Government of the 3rd Scottish Parliament}} |
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[[File:A National Conversation launch.jpg|right|thumb|Scottish First Minister [[Alex Salmond]] and Deputy First Minister [[Nicola Sturgeon]] at the launch of the [[National Conversation]], 14 August 2007]] |
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[[File:Scotland Parliament Holyrood.jpg|thumb|right|Debating chamber of the [[Scottish Parliament]]]] |
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A commitment to hold a referendum in 2010 was part of the SNP's [[election manifesto]] when it contested the [[Scottish Parliament election, 2007|2007 Scottish Parliament election]].<ref name=Manifesto12Apr2007/> As a result of that election, it became the largest party in the [[Scottish Parliament]], the [[Devolution|devolved]] legislative assembly first established in 1999 for dealing with [[Reserved matter|unreserved matters]] within Scotland, and formed a [[minority government]] led by [[First Minister of Scotland|First Minister]] [[Alex Salmond]]. The SNP administration accordingly launched a '[[National Conversation]]' as a consultation exercise in August 2007, part of which included a draft of a referendum bill, as the ''Referendum (Scotland) Bill''.<ref name=DraftBill2007/> After forming the Scottish Government in 2007, the SNP had a long standing policy of not holding any referendum until 2010, so as to be well into its term.<ref name=BBCQnA3Sep09/> |
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== History == |
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The legislative plans for the Referendum Bill were announced in late August/early September 2009 by the Scottish Government.<ref name=LegislativeProgramme20092010/> As a culmination to the National Conversation, a [[white paper]] for the proposed Referendum Bill was published on 30 November 2009.<ref name=Independent30Nov09SNPReveals/><ref name=ScottishGovernment30Nov09NewsYSYV/> The paper detailed four possible scenarios, with the text of the Bill and Referendum to be revealed later.<ref name=Independent30Nov09SNPReveals/> The scenarios were: No Change, Devolution per the [[Commission on Scottish Devolution|Calman Review]], Full Devolution, and Full Independence.<ref name=Independent30Nov09SNPReveals/> The Full Devolution option, while short of Independence, would make the Scottish Parliament responsible for the 'vast majority' of tax and spending in Scotland, with a remittance paid to the UK to "cover common UK public goods and services such as defence and foreign affairs."<ref name=Independent30Nov09SNPReveals/> The paper acknowledged that while the SNP government did not support anything other than full independence, the Referendum Bill would have provisions for a multi-option referendum, and called on opposition parties to propose a suitable form for these options.<ref name=Independent30Nov09SNPReveals/> |
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=== Formation of the United Kingdom === |
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The Scottish Government published a draft version of the bill on 25 February 2010 for public consultation.<ref name=BBC25Feb2010Published/><ref name=ScottishGovernmentNews25Feb2010ReferendumConsultation/> The 84 page document was titled ''Scotland's Future: Draft Referendum (Scotland) Bill Consultation Paper'' and contained a consultation document and a draft version of the bill.<ref name=ScottishGovernmentReferendumBillConsultationPaper25Feb2010/> The consultation paper set out the proposed ballot papers, the mechanics of the proposed referendum, and how the proposed referendum was to be regulated.<ref name=ScottishGovernmentReferendumBillConsultationPaper25Feb2010/> Public responses were invited from February 25 to April 30.<ref name=ScottishGovernmentReferendumBillConsultation25Feb2010/> |
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{{Main|Formation of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland}} |
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The [[Kingdom of Scotland]] and the [[Kingdom of England]] were established as independent countries during the [[Middle Ages]]. After fighting a [[Wars of Scottish Independence|series of wars]] during the 14th century, the two monarchies entered a [[personal union]] in 1603 (the [[Union of the Crowns]]) when [[James VI of Scotland]] also became James I of England. The two nations were temporarily united under one government when [[Oliver Cromwell]] was declared [[Lord Protector]] of a [[Commonwealth of England|Commonwealth]] in 1653, but this was dissolved when the monarchy was [[Stuart Restoration|restored]] in 1660. Scotland and England [[Acts of Union 1707|united]] to form the [[Kingdom of Great Britain]] in 1707 ([[Wales]] had already been unilaterally incorporated into England [[Laws in Wales Acts 1535 and 1542|in the mid-16th century]]). The Scots favoured union to solve the economic problems caused by the failure of the [[Darien scheme]] and the English favoured it to secure the [[Act of Settlement 1701|Hanoverian line of succession]]. Great Britain in turn [[Acts of Union 1800|united]] with the [[Kingdom of Ireland]] in 1801, forming the [[United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland]]. Most of Ireland left the Union in 1922 to form the [[Irish Free State]]; consequently, the full name of the United Kingdom since 1927 is the ''United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland''. |
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The bill outlined three proposals. The first proposal was one of full devolution or 'devolution max', suggesting that the Scottish Parliament should be responsible for "all laws, taxes and duties in Scotland", with the exception of "defence and foreign affairs; financial regulation, monetary policy and the currency," which would be retained by the UK government.<ref name=ScottishGovernmentReferendumBillConsultationPaper25Feb2010/> The second proposal outlined [[Commission on Scottish Devolution|Calman]] type fiscal reform, gaining the additional powers and responsibilities of setting a Scottish rate of income tax that could vary by up to 10p in the [[Pound sterling|pound]] compared to the rest of the UK, setting the rate of [[Stamp duty in the United Kingdom|stamp duty land tax]] and "other minor taxes", and introducing new taxes in Scotland with the agreement of the UK parliament, and finally, "limited power to borrow money."<ref name=ScottishGovernmentReferendumBillConsultationPaper25Feb2010/> The third proposal was for full independence, stating that the Scottish Parliament would gain the powers to be able to convert Scotland into a country which would "have the rights and responsibilities of a normal, [[sovereign state]]".<ref name=ScottishGovernmentReferendumBillConsultationPaper25Feb2010/> This state would be a full [[Member State of the European Union]], with the consequent social and economic relationship with the remainder of the UK which is already a member.<ref name=ScottishGovernmentReferendumBillConsultationPaper25Feb2010/> [[Elizabeth II|Queen Elizabeth]] would remain as Scotland's [[head of state]], while the United Kingdom would "become a monarchical and social Union – united kingdoms rather than a United Kingdom – maintaining a relationship forged in 1603 by the [[Union of the Crowns]]".<ref name=ScottishGovernmentReferendumBillConsultationPaper25Feb2010/> The currency of Scotland would remain as the [[pound sterling]] (£) unless or until the Scottish electorate chose to adopt the [[euro]] (€), which would be left to a separate referendum.<ref name=ScottishGovernmentReferendumBillConsultationPaper25Feb2010/> |
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=== Devolution === |
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In the [[Members of the 3rd Scottish Parliament|third Scottish Parliament]], only 50 of 129 MSPs (47 SNP, 2 from the [[Scottish Green Party]] and [[Margo McDonald]]) supported a referendum, with all of the other major parties opposed.<ref name=BBCQnA3Sep09/><ref name=Times3Sep09/> A non-binding vote on the issue of a referendum was tabled by the [[Scottish Liberal Democrats]] in March 2009 as an [[Amend (motion)|amendment]] to a Labour debate on the economy.<ref name=Guardian5Mar09/> The SNP position was defeated with a 25-vote majority (47–72).<ref name=Guardian5Mar09/> Due to the opposition from the other main parties and the SNP's status as a minority administration, it was not expected that the SNP would be able to get the Referendum Bill passed into law when ultimately presented to the Scottish Parliament for debate, meaning that the referendum would not be able to be held.<ref name=BBCQnA3Sep09/><ref name=Times3Sep09/> The Scottish Government eventually opted to withdraw the bill after failing to secure support from the opposition parties.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-11196967 | work=BBC News |publisher=BBC| title=Scottish independence plan 'an election issue' | date=6 September 2010|accessdate=17 January 2012}}</ref><ref name = "tv debate">{{cite news|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-13255731|title=Scottish election: Party leaders clash in BBC TV debate|first=Andrew|last=Black|work=BBC News|publisher=BBC|date=1 May 2011|accessdate=17 January 2012}}</ref> |
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The [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour Party]] was committed to home rule for Scotland in the 1920s, but it slipped down its agenda in the following years.<ref name="devo hist">{{Cite web |date=7 April 1999 |title=Devolution's swings and roundabouts |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/events/scotland_99/the_scottish_parliament/306850.stm |access-date=28 August 2014 |website=BBC News |publisher=BBC}}</ref> The [[Scottish National Party]] (SNP) was founded in 1934, but did not achieve significant electoral success until the 1960s.<ref name="devo hist" /> A petition calling for home rule, the [[Scottish Covenant]], was signed by 2,000,000 people (out of a population of 5,000,000) in the late 1940s.<ref name="devo hist" /> |
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As [[James Callaghan]]'s Labour Government of the late 1970s was pressured by the SNP, [[Scottish devolution]] was, for the first time, seriously proposed.<ref name="devo hist" /> In a [[1979 Scottish devolution referendum|1979 referendum]] for a devolved [[Scottish Assembly]], a narrow majority of votes were cast in favour of devolution, but this had no effect due to a requirement that the number voting 'Yes' had to exceed 40% of the total electorate.<ref name="1979 referendum">{{Cite news |title=The 1979 Referendums |publisher=BBC |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/special/politics97/devolution/scotland/briefing/79referendums.shtml |access-date=16 January 2012}}</ref> |
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===2011 SNP administration=== |
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{{see|Government of the 4th Scottish Parliament}} |
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The Scottish National Party repeated its commitment to hold an independence referendum when it published its [[election manifesto]] for the [[Scottish parliamentary election, 2011|2011 Scottish parliamentary election]], in which it won an absolute majority for the first time.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.stv.tv/scotland/243521-snp-launch-manifesto-with-50m-fund-for-young-scots/|title=SNP launch 'Re-elect' manifesto with independence referendum vow|first=Gavin|last=Stuart|work=STV|publisher=STV Group|date=14 April 2011|accessdate=17 January 2012}}</ref> In a television debate days before the election, [[First Minister of Scotland|First Minister]] [[Alex Salmond]] stated that the referendum would be held in the "second half of the parliament".<ref name = "tv debate"/> Salmond stated that this was because he wanted to secure more powers for the Scottish Parliament via the [[Scotland Bill 2011|Scotland Bill]] first.<ref name = "tv debate"/> The SNP gained an [[overall majority]] in the election, winning 69 of the 129 seats available, thereby gaining a mandate to hold an independence referendum.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-13305522|title=Scottish election: SNP wins election|work=BBC News|publisher=BBC|date=6 May 2011|accessdate=17 January 2012}}</ref><ref name = "contrary"/> |
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No further constitutional reform was proposed until Labour returned to power in a landslide electoral victory in [[1997 United Kingdom general election|May 1997]]. A [[1997 Scottish devolution referendum|second Scottish devolution referendum]] was held later that year, as promised in the Labour election manifesto.<ref name="1997 referendum" /> Clear majorities expressed support for both a devolved [[Scottish Parliament]] (74.3% in favour) and that Parliament having the power to [[Scottish variable rate|vary]] the basic rate of [[UK income tax]] (63.5% in favour).<ref name="1997 referendum">{{Cite news |title=Scottish Referendum Live – The Results |publisher=BBC |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/special/politics97/devolution/scotland/live/index.shtml |access-date=16 January 2012}}</ref> The [[Scotland Act 1998]] established the new Scottish Parliament, [[1999 Scottish Parliament election|first elected]] on 6 May 1999,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Scottish Parliament Official Report – 12 May 1999 |url=http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/business/officialReports/meetingsParliament/or-99/or010104.htm#Col7 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050315174055/http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/business/officialReports/meetingsParliament/or-99/or010104.htm#Col7 |archive-date=15 March 2005 |publisher=Scottish Parliament}}</ref> with power to legislate on [[Devolved, reserved and excepted matters|unreserved matters]] within Scotland. |
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In January 2012, the UK government offered to legislate to provide the Scottish Parliament with the specific powers to hold a referendum, providing it was "fair, legal and decisive".<ref name = "contrary"/> This would set terms of reference for the referendum, such as the question(s) asked, the electorate used and which body would organise the referendum.<ref name = "chaos">{{cite news|url=http://www.thecourier.co.uk/News/Politics/article/20230/independence-referendum-scotland-facing-constitutional-chaos.html|title=Independence referendum: Scotland facing constitutional chaos|work=The Courier|publisher=DC Thomson|first=David|last=Clegg|date=11 January 2012|accessdate=17 January 2012}}</ref> The Scottish Government then announced that they intended the referendum to be held in the autumn of 2014 and rejected the UK government's offer.<ref name = "chaos"/> |
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=== 2007 SNP administration === |
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==Date and eligibility== |
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{{Further|First Salmond government}} |
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The Scottish Government intends to hold the referendum in the autumn of 2014. Some media reports have speculated that autumn 2014 was chosen by the Scottish Government because it was near to the 700th anniversary of the [[Battle of Bannockburn]],<ref name = "guardian 10 jan 2012">http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2012/jan/10/scottish-independence-salmond-poll-date</ref><Ref>http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/home-news/bannockburn-date-mooted-for-referendum.16330813</ref> although these claims have been denied by [[Alex Salmond]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2012/jan/11/scottish-independence-referendum-autumn-2014|title=Scottish independence referendum: why autumn 2014?|first=Severin|last=Carrell|work=www.guardian.co.uk|publisher=Guardian News and Media Limited|date=11 January 2012|accessdate=12 August 2012}}</ref> Other reports have suggested that the date was chosen because Scotland will host the [[2014 Commonwealth Games]] and the [[2014 Ryder Cup]] in the months prior to the vote.<ref name = "guardian 10 jan 2012"/><Ref>http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/home-news/bannockburn-date-mooted-for-referendum.16330813</ref><Ref name="econ">http://www.economist.com/node/21542806</ref> |
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[[File:A National Conversation launch.jpg|thumb|The Scottish First Minister, [[Alex Salmond]], and the Deputy First Minister, [[Nicola Sturgeon]], at the launch of the ''[[National Conversation]]'', 14 August 2007]] |
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[[File:Scottish Parliament Debating Chamber 2.jpg|thumb|Debating chamber of the Scottish Parliament]] |
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A commitment to hold an independence referendum in 2010 was part of the SNP's [[Manifesto|election manifesto]] when it contested the [[2007 Scottish Parliament election]].<ref name=Manifesto12Apr2007 /> The press were largely hostile towards the SNP, with a headline for ''[[The Scottish Sun]]'' in May 2007 stating – beside an image of a hangman's noose – "Vote SNP today and you put Scotland's head in the noose".<ref name="Guardian 3May2007">{{Cite news |last=Macwhirter |first=Iain |date=3 May 2007 |title=The heat of the Scottish sun |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2007/may/03/theheatofthescottishsun |access-date=24 May 2015}}</ref> As a result of that election, the SNP became the largest party in the Scottish Parliament and formed a [[minority government]] led by the First Minister, [[Alex Salmond]].<ref name="timeline">{{Cite web |date=15 October 2012 |title=Timeline: Scottish independence referendum |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-19907675 |access-date=15 October 2012 |website=BBC News |publisher=BBC}}</ref> |
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The SNP administration launched a '[[National Conversation]]' as a consultation exercise in August 2007, part of which included a draft referendum bill, the ''Referendum (Scotland) Bill''.<ref name="timeline" /><ref name=DraftBill2007 /> After this, a [[white paper]] for the proposed Referendum Bill was published, on 30 November 2009.<ref name=Independent30Nov09SNPReveals /><ref name=ScottishGovernment30Nov09NewsYSYV /> It detailed four possible scenarios, with the text of the Bill and Referendum to be revealed later.<ref name=Independent30Nov09SNPReveals /> The scenarios were: no change; devolution per the [[Commission on Scottish Devolution|Calman Review]]; further devolution; and full independence.<ref name=Independent30Nov09SNPReveals /> The Scottish government published a draft version of the bill on 25 February 2010 for public consultation;<ref name=BBC25Feb2010Published /><ref name=ScottishGovernmentNews25Feb2010ReferendumConsultation /> ''Scotland's Future: Draft Referendum (Scotland) Bill Consultation Paper'' contained a consultation document and a draft version of the bill.<ref name=ScottishGovernmentReferendumBillConsultationPaper25Feb2010 /> The consultation paper set out the proposed ballot papers, the mechanics of the proposed referendum, and how the proposed referendum was to be regulated.<ref name=ScottishGovernmentReferendumBillConsultationPaper25Feb2010 /> Public responses were invited.<ref name=ScottishGovernmentReferendumBillConsultation25Feb2010 /> |
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Under the terms of the 2010 Draft Bill, the following people would be entitled to vote in the referendum:<ref name=ScottishGovernmentReferendumBillConsultationPaper25Feb2010/> |
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The bill outlined three proposals: the first was full devolution or 'devolution max', suggesting that the Scottish Parliament should be responsible for "all laws, taxes and duties in Scotland", except for "defence and foreign affairs; financial regulation, monetary policy and the currency", which the UK government would retain.<ref name=ScottishGovernmentReferendumBillConsultationPaper25Feb2010 /> The second proposal outlined Calman-type fiscal reform, gaining the additional powers and responsibilities of setting a Scottish rate of income tax that could vary by up to 10p in the [[Pound sterling|pound]] compared with the rest of the UK, setting the rate of [[Stamp duty in the United Kingdom|stamp duty land tax]] and "other minor taxes", and introducing new taxes in Scotland with the agreement of the UK Parliament, and finally, "limited power to borrow money".<ref name=ScottishGovernmentReferendumBillConsultationPaper25Feb2010 /> The third proposal was for full independence.<ref name=ScottishGovernmentReferendumBillConsultationPaper25Feb2010 /> |
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* [[British citizen]]s resident in Scotland; |
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* [[Commonwealth citizen]]s resident in Scotland; |
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* citizens of other [[European Union]] countries resident in Scotland; |
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* members of the [[House of Lords]] resident in Scotland; |
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* Service/Crown personnel serving in the UK. or overseas in [[British Armed Forces|the armed forces]] or with [[Government of the United Kingdom|Her Majesty's Government]] who are registered to vote in Scotland. |
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In the [[3rd Scottish Parliament]] only 50 of 129 MSPs (47 SNP, 2 [[Scottish Greens|Greens]], and [[Margo MacDonald]]) supported a referendum.<ref name=BBCQnA3Sep09 /><ref name=Times3Sep09 /> The Scottish government withdrew the bill in September 2010 after failing to secure opposition support.<ref name="timeline" /><ref>{{Cite web |date=6 September 2010 |title=Scottish independence plan 'an election issue' |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-11196967 |access-date=17 January 2012 |website=BBC News |publisher=BBC}}</ref> |
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The SNP has proposed to reduce the [[voting age]] for the referendum from 18 to 16.{{why|date=August 2012}}<!--apparently because younger voters are more likely to take the risk to support an independent Scotland. We need to source and add it--><ref name="Macdonnell">{{cite news|url=http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/news/uk/scotland/article3167034.ece|title=16-year-olds likely to get the vote on Union split|last=Macdonnell|first=Hamish|date=17 September 2011|work=The Times Scotland|publisher=Times Newspapers Limited|accessdate=18 September 2011|location=London}}</ref><ref name=ScottishGovernmentReferendumBillConsultationPaper25Feb2010/> In January 2012, Labour MSP [[Elaine Murray]] led a debate arguing that the franchise should be extended to Scots living outside Scotland.<ref name = "extended vote"/> This was opposed by the Scottish Government, who argued that it would greatly increase the complexity of the referendum and cited evidence from the [[United Nations Human Rights Committee]] that a referendum not based on residence would be queried by other nations.<ref name = "extended vote">{{cite news|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-16607480|title=Scottish independence: SNP dismisses ex-pat voting call|work=BBC News|publisher=BBC|date=18 January 2012|accessdate=19 January 2012}}</ref> In the House of Lords, [[Elizabeth Symons, Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean|Baroness Symons]] argued that the rest of the United Kingdom should be allowed to vote on Scottish independence, on the grounds that it would affect the whole country. This argument was rejected by the UK government, with [[Jim Wallace, Baron Wallace of Tankerness|Lord Wallace]] pointing to the fact that only two of 11 referenda since 1973 had been across all of the United Kingdom.<ref name = "extended vote"/> |
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=== 2011 SNP administration === |
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==Legality== |
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{{Main|Second Salmond government}} |
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There are different views as to whether the Scottish Parliament has the power to legislate for a referendum relating to the issue of Scottish Independence. According to the [[BBC]], under the current system of devolution, the [[Scottish Parliament]] does not have the power to unilaterally [[Secession|secede]] from the United Kingdom, because the constitution is a [[Reserved matters|reserved matter]] for the [[Parliament of the United Kingdom|UK parliament]].<ref name=BBCQnA3Sep09/> However, according to the Scottish Government, the proposed referendum is an "[[advisory referendum]] on extending the powers of the Scottish Parliament",<ref name=ScottishGovernmentReferendumBillConsultation25Feb2010/> whose result "will have no legal effect on the Union."<ref name=ScottishGovernmentReferendumBillConsultationPaper25Feb2010/> In January 2012, the UK Government expressed the contrary opinion that the holding of any referendum concerning the constitution would be outside the legislative competence of the Scottish Parliament.<ref name = "contrary">{{cite news|url=http://www.thecourier.co.uk/News/Politics/article/20335/advocate-general-says-snp-s-referendum-plans-would-be-contrary-to-the-rule-of-law.html|title=Advocate General says SNP's referendum plans would be 'contrary to the rule of law'|work=The Courier|publisher=DC Thomson|first=David|last=Clegg|date=17 January 2012|accessdate=17 January 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|first=Andrew|last=Whitaker|url=http://www.scotsman.com/the-scotsman/politics/scottish_independence_referendum_publish_legal_advice_or_be_damned_snp_warned_over_referendum_1_2061982 |title=Scottish independence referendum: Publish legal advice or be damned, SNP warned over referendum|work=[[The Scotsman]]|date=18 January 2012|accessdate=19 January 2012|publisher=Johnston Press}}</ref> [[Jim Wallace, Baron Wallace of Tankerness|Lord Wallace]], the [[Advocate General for Scotland]], said that private individuals could successfully challenge a referendum bill passed by the Scottish Parliament.<ref name = "wallace"/> The UK parliament could temporarily transfer legal authority to the Scottish Parliament to prevent this, but the Scottish Government has objected to the attachment of conditions to any referendum by this process.<ref name = "wallace">{{cite news|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-16638746|title=Scottish independence: Referendum vote 'needs approval'|work=BBC News|publisher=BBC|date=20 January 2012|accessdate=21 January 2012}}</ref> |
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{{Further|Government of the 4th Scottish Parliament}} |
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[[File:Scottish Cabinet, May 2011.jpg|thumb|right|The [[Scottish cabinet]] of the [[second Salmond government]], the first government to achieve a majority in the Scottish Parliament]] |
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The SNP repeated its commitment to hold an independence referendum when it published its manifesto for the [[2011 Scottish Parliament election]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Stuart |first=Gavin |date=14 April 2011 |title=SNP launch 'Re-elect' manifesto with independence referendum vow |url=http://news.stv.tv/scotland/243521-snp-launch-manifesto-with-50m-fund-for-young-scots |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110831091242/http://news.stv.tv/scotland/243521-snp-launch-manifesto-with-50m-fund-for-young-scots |archive-date=31 August 2011 |access-date=17 January 2012 |website=STV News |publisher=STV}}</ref> Days before the election, Salmond said that legislation for a referendum would be proposed in the "second half of the parliament", as he wanted to secure more powers for the Scottish Parliament via the [[Scotland Act 2012|Scotland Bill]] first.<ref name="tv debate">{{Cite web |last=Black |first=Andrew |date=1 May 2011 |title=Scottish election: Party leaders clash in BBC TV debate |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-13255731 |access-date=17 January 2012 |website=BBC News |publisher=BBC}}</ref> In the election, the SNP won 69 of the 129 seats, securing a majority in a proportional representative voting system. UK Prime Minister [[David Cameron]] congratulated Salmond on his 'emphatic win', but pledged to campaign for the Union if the SNP carried out their pledge to hold a referendum.<ref name="2011 majority">{{Cite web |date=6 May 2011 |title=Scottish election: SNP wins election |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-13305522 |access-date=17 January 2012 |website=BBC News |publisher=BBC}}</ref> |
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==Oversight== |
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In the 2010 Draft Bill, the Scottish Government proposed to set up a new commission to oversee the referendum.<ref name=ScottishGovernmentReferendumBillConsultation25Feb2010/> Members of that commission would be "nominated by, and accountable to, the Scottish Parliament."<ref name=ScottishGovernmentReferendumBillConsultation25Feb2010/> The commission was to be "with limited exceptions, be completely independent of the Scottish Parliament and Government in the conduct of its affairs", and be modelled on the existing [[Electoral Commission (United Kingdom)|Electoral Commission]].<ref name=ScottishGovernmentReferendumBillConsultationPaper25Feb2010/> The rules on how to conduct the poll and campaigns for the referendum would be based on existing UK legislation,<ref name=ScottishGovernmentReferendumBillConsultation25Feb2010/> being broadly formed from the [[Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000]].<ref name=ScottishGovernmentReferendumBillConsultationPaper25Feb2010/> A Chief Counting Officer for the poll would be appointed by Scottish ministers, and be selected from an existing or former Scottish election [[Returning Officer]].<ref name=ScottishGovernmentReferendumBillConsultationPaper25Feb2010/> In January 2012, the UK government stated its preference for the Electoral Commission to oversee a Scottish independence referendum.<ref name = "elec comm">{{cite news|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-16659665|title=Scottish independence: Referendum watchdog 'not impediment'|work=BBC News|publisher=BBC|date=20 January 2012|accessdate=20 January 2012}}</ref> ''[[BBC News]]'' then reported that the Scottish Government would accept this if the Electoral Commission was mandated to report to the Scottish Parliament during the referendum.<ref name = "elec comm"/> |
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In January 2012, the UK government offered to legislate to provide the Scottish Parliament with the powers to hold a referendum, providing it was 'fair, legal and decisive'.<ref name="contrary" /> This would set 'terms of reference for the referendum', such as its question(s), elector eligibility, and which body would organise the vote.<ref name="chaos">{{Cite news |last=Clegg |first=David |date=11 January 2012 |title=Independence referendum: Scotland facing constitutional chaos |work=The Courier |url=http://www.thecourier.co.uk/news/politics/independence-referendum-scotland-facing-constitutional-chaos-1.49754 |url-status=dead |access-date=9 January 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140109185055/http://www.thecourier.co.uk/news/politics/independence-referendum-scotland-facing-constitutional-chaos-1.49754 |archive-date=9 January 2014}}</ref> As the UK government worked on legal details, including the timing of the vote, Salmond announced an intention to hold the referendum in the autumn of 2014.<ref name="chaos" /> Negotiations continued between the two governments until October 2012, when the [[Edinburgh Agreement (2012)|Edinburgh Agreement]] was reached.<ref name="timeline" /> |
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==Campaign funding and costs== |
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Based on the 2010 Draft Bill, for each specific proposal outcome that can be [[Political campaign|campaigned]] for, there would be allowed to exist one 'designated organisation', permitted to spend up to £750,000 on their campaign, including expenses, but they would also be entitled to one free [[mailshot]] to every household or voter in the poll.<ref name=ScottishGovernmentReferendumBillConsultationPaper25Feb2010/> Political parties represented in the Scottish Parliament would be limited to a campaign budget of £100,000 including expenses, in addition to any activity through affiliation with one of the designated organisations.<ref name=ScottishGovernmentReferendumBillConsultationPaper25Feb2010/> |
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The Scottish Independence Referendum (Franchise) Act 2013 was passed by the Scottish Parliament on 27 June 2013 and received Royal Assent on 7 August 2013.<ref>{{UK-LEG|title=Scottish Independence Referendum (Franchise) Act 2013}}</ref> On 26 November 2013, the Scottish government published ''[[Scotland's Future]]'', a 670-page white paper laying out the case for independence and the means by which Scotland might become an independent country.<ref name="SF Reaction">{{Cite web |date=26 November 2013 |title=Scottish independence: Referendum White Paper unveiled |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-25088251 |access-date=5 January 2014 |website=BBC News |publisher=BBC}}</ref> |
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According to the Scottish Government's consultation paper published on 25 February 2010, the cost of holding the referendum would "likely to be around £9.5 million", mostly spent on running the poll and the count.<ref name=ScottishGovernmentReferendumBillConsultationPaper25Feb2010/> Costs would also include the posting of one neutral information leaflet about the referendum to every Scottish household, and one free mailshot to every household or voter in the poll for the 'designated organisations' (See [[Scottish independence referendum bills#Campaign funding|Campaign funding]]).<ref name=ScottishGovernmentReferendumBillConsultationPaper25Feb2010/> There is to be no public funding for campaigns, which would also be subject to spending limits.<ref name=ScottishGovernmentReferendumBillConsultationPaper25Feb2010/> |
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== Administration == |
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==Question== |
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=== Date === |
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The question currently proposed by the SNP is 'Do you agree that Scotland should become an independent country?'.<ref>http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-17982560</ref> |
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The Scottish Government announced on 21 March 2013 that the referendum would be held on Thursday 18 September 2014.<ref name="BBC 2013-03-21" /> Some media reports mentioned that 2014 would be the 700th anniversary of the [[Battle of Bannockburn]]<ref name="guardian 10 jan 2012">{{Cite news |last1=Carrell |first1=Severin |last2=Watt |first2=Nicholas |date=10 January 2012 |title=Scottish independence: Alex Salmond sets poll date – and defies London |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2012/jan/10/scottish-independence-salmond-poll-date |access-date=11 October 2012}}</ref><ref name="heraldscotland1">{{Cite news |date=2 January 2012 |title=Bannockburn date mooted for referendum |work=The Herald |url=http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/home-news/bannockburn-date-mooted-for-referendum.16330813 |access-date=11 October 2012}}</ref> and that Scotland would also host the [[2014 Commonwealth Games]] and the [[2014 Ryder Cup]].<ref name="heraldscotland1" /> Salmond agreed that the presence of these events made 2014 a "good year to hold a referendum".<ref name="econ">{{Cite news |date=14 January 2012 |title=Scotland's referendum: If at first you don't succeed |newspaper=The Economist |url=http://www.economist.com/node/21542806 |access-date=11 October 2012}}</ref> |
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=== Eligibility to vote === |
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This question has been criticised by a number of leading election experts and by a Government inquiry as being leading and biased.<ref>http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-17982560</ref> Alex Salmond has stated however that the final decision on the question has not yet been taken and will be based on the responses to a public consultation.<ref>http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-19339477</ref> |
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Under the terms of the 2010 Draft Bill, the following people were [[suffrage|entitled to vote]] in the referendum:<ref name=ScottishGovernmentReferendumBillConsultationPaper25Feb2010 /> |
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* [[British citizen]]s who were resident in Scotland; |
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* [[Commonwealth citizen|Citizens]] of other [[Commonwealth of Nations|Commonwealth]] countries who were resident in Scotland; |
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* Citizens of other European Union countries who were resident in Scotland; |
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* Members of the [[House of Lords]] who were resident in Scotland; |
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* Service/Crown personnel serving in the UK or overseas in the [[British Armed Forces]] or with Her Majesty's Government who were registered to vote in Scotland. |
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Convicted prisoners were not able to vote in the referendum. The [[European Court of Human Rights]] (ECHR) had ruled that this restriction was unlawful, but Scottish judge Lord Glennie said that he believed the ECHR judgment would apply only to parliamentary elections.<ref>{{Cite web |date=19 December 2013 |title=Scottish independence: Killers lose referendum vote bid |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-25446924 |access-date=2 July 2014 |website=BBC News}}</ref> Appeals against his ruling were rejected by the Court of Session in Edinburgh<ref>{{Cite web |date=2 July 2014 |title=Scottish independence: Killers fail to win referendum vote |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-28128599 |access-date=2 July 2014 |website=BBC News |publisher=BBC}}</ref> and the [[UK Supreme Court]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Alderson |first=Reevel |date=24 July 2014 |title=Scottish independence: Killers fail to get referendum vote |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-28442439 |access-date=25 July 2014 |website=BBC News |publisher=BBC}}</ref> |
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A body of independent election experts was put together by the opposition political parties in the Scottish Parliament to do a detailed analysis of the question and recommend a neutral and fair question to ask. The panel has suggested the words "Scotland should become an independent state", with voters being asked to "agree" or "disagree". Of particular note was the suggestion that the word state should be used rather than country to avoid confusion, as Scotland is already referred to unofficially as a country. They also recommended that the question should not favour either side, avoiding the use of the word agree and the answers yes/no. <ref>http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-19339477</ref> The SNP dismissed the group but said that their submission would be considered alongside all of the others in the public consultation. <ref>http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-19339477</ref> |
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The normal voting age was reduced from 18 to 16 for the referendum, as it was a Scottish National Party policy to reduce the voting age for all elections in Scotland.<ref name=ScottishGovernmentReferendumBillConsultationPaper25Feb2010 /><ref name="viewpoint">{{Cite web |date=14 October 2012 |title=Viewpoints: Can 16- and-17-year olds be trusted with the vote? |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-19908031 |access-date=14 October 2012 |website=BBC News |publisher=BBC}}</ref><ref name="Macdonnell">{{Cite news |last=Macdonnell |first=Hamish |date=17 September 2011 |title=16-year-olds likely to get the vote on Union split |work=The Times |publisher=Times Newspapers Limited |location=London |url=http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/news/uk/scotland/article3167034.ece |access-date=18 September 2011}}</ref> The move was supported by Labour, the Liberal Democrats and the Scottish Greens.<ref>{{Cite web |date=12 March 2013 |title=Scottish independence: Bill to lower voting age lodged |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-21741448 |access-date=31 December 2013 |website=BBC News |publisher=BBC}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=27 June 2013 |title=Scottish independence: Referendum voting age bill approved by MSPs |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-23074572 |access-date=31 December 2013 |website=BBC News |publisher=BBC}}</ref> |
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In January 2012, Labour MSP [[Elaine Murray]] led a debate arguing that the franchise should be extended to Scots living outside Scotland, including the approximately 800,000 living in the other parts of the UK.<ref name="extended vote" /> This was opposed by the Scottish government, which argued that it would greatly increase the complexity of the referendum and stated that there was evidence from the [[United Nations Human Rights Committee]] that other nations "might question the legitimacy of a referendum if the franchise is not territorial".<ref name="extended vote">{{Cite web |date=18 January 2012 |title=Scottish independence: SNP dismisses ex-pat voting call |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-16607480 |access-date=19 January 2012 |website=BBC News |publisher=BBC}}</ref> |
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There has been speculation that a second question on reform of the Scotland Act may also be asked. |
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According to the British media, Salmond and the SNP added a second question in regards to [[devomax]] amid fears outright independence may not be achieved through the referendum.<Ref>http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/scotland/9369801/Alex-Salmond-Devo-max-instead-of-independence-is-very-attractive.html</ref> |
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In the House of Lords, [[Baroness Symons]] argued that the rest of the UK should be allowed to vote on Scottish independence because it would affect the whole country. This argument was rejected by the UK government, as the [[Advocate General for Scotland]] [[Jim Wallace, Baron Wallace of Tankerness|Lord Wallace]] said that "whether or not Scotland should leave the United Kingdom is a matter for Scotland".<ref name="extended vote" /> Wallace also pointed to the fact that only two of 11 referendums since 1973 had been across all of the United Kingdom.<ref name="extended vote" /> Professor John Curtice cited the precedent of the [[1973 Northern Ireland sovereignty referendum]] (the "border poll"), which allowed only those resident in a part of the UK to vote on its sovereignty.<ref>{{Cite web |date=16 October 2012 |title=Ulster Scots and Scottish independence |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-19962267 |access-date=31 December 2013 |website=BBC News |publisher=BBC}}</ref> |
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==Campaign organisations== |
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The campaign in favour of Scottish independence, [[Yes Scotland]], was launched on 25 May 2012.<ref name = "yes scotland">{{cite news|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-18162832|title=Scottish independence: One million Scots urged to sign 'yes' declaration|work=BBC News|publisher=BBC|date=25 May 2012|accessdate=18 July 2012}}</ref> Yes Scotland is being led by the Scottish National Party, with support from the Scottish Green Party.<ref name = "yes scotland"/> Its launch featured a number of celebrities and urged Scots to sign a declaration of support for independence.<ref name = "yes scotland"/> Alex Salmond stated that he hoped one million Scots would sign the declaration; the ''[[Sunday Mail (Scotland)|Sunday Mail]]'' newspaper reported that by 1 July approximately 22,000 Scots had done so, leaving them with 978,000 to go to reach their target. The SNP has removed the count from the campaign website.<ref> {{cite news | title = Embarrassment for SNP as only 22,000 Scots sign 'declaration of independence' | date = 1 July 2012 | url = http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/politics-news/2012/07/01/embarrassment-for-snp-as-only-22-000-scots-sign-declaration-of-independence-86908-23903028/ | work = [[Sunday Mail (Scotland)|Sunday Mail]]|publisher=Trinity Mirror|first=Mark |last=Aitken| accessdate = 20 July 2012}}</ref> During the launch Salmond said:<ref name="endorse">http://worldnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/05/25/11883076-with-support-from-sean-connery-scotland-launches-independence-campaign?lite</ref> |
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<blockquote>This is the beginning of something really special - the beginning of the campaign to restore nationhood to Scotland. We want a Scotland that is fairer and more prosperous. If the parliament can run education, why can't we run the economy? And if we can protect our old people why can't we protect ourselves without the obscenity of nuclear weapons.</blockquote> |
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=== Legality of a referendum === |
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The campaign against Scottish independence, [[Better Together (campaign)|Better Together]], was launched on 25 June 2012.<ref name = "better together">{{cite news|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-18572750|title=Scottish independence: Alistair Darling warns of 'no way back'|work=BBC News|publisher=BBC|date=25 June 2012|accessdate=18 July 2012}}</ref> Better Together is being led by [[Alastair Darling]], former [[Chancellor of the Exchequer]], and has support from the [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative Party]], [[Liberal Democrats]] and [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour Party]].<ref name = "better together"/> Its campaign is led by [[Blue State Digital]].<ref name="darling"/> At the event in Edinburgh, Mr Darling said: |
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[[File:Signing of the Edinburgh Agreement, 2012.jpg|thumb|right|First Minister of Scotland Alex Salmond and UK Prime Minister David Cameron sign the [[Edinburgh Agreement (2012)]]]] |
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There was debate as to whether the Scottish Parliament had the power to legislate for a referendum relating to the issue of Scottish independence, as the constitution is a matter reserved to the UK Parliament.<ref name=BBCQnA3Sep09 /> The Scottish government insisted in 2010 that they could legislate for a referendum, as it would be an "advisory referendum on extending the powers of the Scottish Parliament",<ref name=ScottishGovernmentReferendumBillConsultation25Feb2010 /> whose result would "have no legal effect on the Union".<ref name=ScottishGovernmentReferendumBillConsultationPaper25Feb2010 />{{Rp|17}} Lord Wallace, Advocate General for Scotland, said in January 2012 that holding a referendum concerning the constitution would be outside the legislative power of the Scottish Parliament<ref name="contrary">{{Cite news |last=Clegg |first=David |date=17 January 2012 |title=Advocate General says SNP's referendum plans would be 'contrary to the rule of law' |work=The Courier |publisher=DC Thomson |url=http://www.thecourier.co.uk/news/politics/advocate-general-says-snp-s-referendum-plans-would-be-contrary-to-the-rule-of-law-1.49938 |url-status=dead |access-date=9 January 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140109184938/http://www.thecourier.co.uk/news/politics/advocate-general-says-snp-s-referendum-plans-would-be-contrary-to-the-rule-of-law-1.49938 |archive-date=9 January 2014}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Whitaker |first=Andrew |date=18 January 2012 |title=Scottish independence referendum: Publish legal advice or be damned, SNP warned over referendum |work=[[The Scotsman]] |publisher=Johnston Press |url=http://www.scotsman.com/the-scotsman/politics/scottish_independence_referendum_publish_legal_advice_or_be_damned_snp_warned_over_referendum_1_2061982 |access-date=19 January 2012}}</ref> and that private individuals could challenge a Scottish Parliament referendum bill.<ref name="wallace">{{Cite web |date=20 January 2012 |title=Scottish independence: Referendum vote 'needs approval' |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-16638746 |access-date=21 January 2012 |website=BBC News |publisher=BBC}}</ref> |
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The two governments signed the [[Edinburgh Agreement (2012)|Edinburgh Agreement]], which allowed for the temporary transfer of legal authority. Per the Edinburgh Agreement, the UK government drafted an [[Order in Council]] granting the Scottish Parliament the necessary powers to hold, on or before 31 December 2014, an independence referendum. The draft Order was approved by resolutions of both Houses of Parliament, and the Order ("The Scotland Act 1998 (Modification of Schedule 5) Order 2013"), was approved by [[Queen Elizabeth II]] at a meeting of the [[Privy Council (United Kingdom)|Privy Council]] on 12 February 2013.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2013 No. 242 Constitutional Law :Devolution Scotland |url=http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2013/242/pdfs/uksi_20130242_en.pdf |access-date=18 June 2015 |publisher=Legislation.gov.uk}}</ref> Under the powers temporarily transferred from Westminster under the section 30 Order, the Scottish Parliament adopted the [[Scottish Independence Referendum Act 2013]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Scottish Independence Referendum Act 2013 |url=http://www.legislation.gov.uk/asp/2013/14/pdfs/asp_20130014_en.pdf |access-date=18 June 2015 |publisher=Legislation.gov.uk}}</ref> The Act was passed by the Scottish Parliament on 14 November 2013 and received [[Royal Assent]] on 17 December 2013. Under section 36 of the Act, it came into force the day after Royal Assent. |
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<blockquote>If we decide to leave the United Kingdom, there is no way back. We cannot give our children a one-way ticket to a deeply uncertain destination.<ref>http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-18581893</ref></blockquote> |
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=== Electoral supervision === |
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==Issues== |
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The [[Electoral Commission (United Kingdom)|Electoral Commission]] was responsible for overseeing the referendum, "with the exception of the conduct of the poll and announcement of the result, and the giving of grants. In its role of regulating the campaign and campaign spending, the Electoral Commission will report to the Scottish Parliament. (...) The poll and count will be managed in the same way as [local] elections, by local returning officers (...) and directed by a Chief Counting Officer".<ref name="number10.gov.uk">{{Cite web |date=15 October 2012 |title=Agreement between the United Kingdom Government and the Scottish Government on a referendum on independence for Scotland |url=http://www.number10.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/Agreement-final-for-signing.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20130109092234/http://www.number10.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/Agreement-final-for-signing.pdf |archive-date=9 January 2013 |access-date=19 August 2016}}</ref> |
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=== Referendum question wording === |
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===Devomax=== |
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The Edinburgh Agreement stated that the wording of the question would be decided by the Scottish Parliament and reviewed for intelligibility by the Electoral Commission.<ref name="number10.gov.uk" /> The Scottish government stated that its preferred question was "Do you agree that Scotland should be an independent country?" <ref name="new question" /> The Electoral Commission tested the proposed question along with three other possible versions.<ref name="tests" /> Their research found that the "Do you agree" preface made it a [[leading question]], which would be more likely to garner a positive response.<ref name="new question" /> The question was amended to "Should Scotland be an independent country?", which the Electoral Commission found was the most neutral and concise of the versions tested.<ref name="new question">{{Cite web |last=Black |first=Andrew |date=30 January 2013 |title=Scottish independence: SNP accepts call to change referendum question |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-21245701 |access-date=30 January 2013 |website=BBC News |publisher=BBC}}</ref><ref name="tests">{{Cite web |date=24 January 2013 |title=Referendum on Scottish Independence: Question Testing |url=http://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0005/153689/Ipsos-MORI-Scotland-question-testing-report-24-January-2013.pdf |access-date=18 June 2015 |website=www.electoralcommission.org.uk |publisher=Electoral Commission}}</ref> |
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The option of a [[devomax]] for a more empowered Holyrood, instead of outright independence, was an option that Alex Salmond has said could be attractive to Scots. Details of what that would entail are unclear. The BBC suggested it could mean not having military chiefs and embassies, which would cost the Scottish government more money. [[Liberal Democrats|Liberal Democrat]] [[Secretary of Scotland]] [[Michael Moore (UK politician)|Michael Moore]] said that "devomax is really a brand without a product, a concept of more powers for Scotland without any detail about what that entails."<Ref>http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-17094333</ref> Conservative Prime Minister [[David Cameron]] also added that should the vote go against independence additional discussions on empowering Holyrood would occur.<Ref>http://www.newstatesman.com/uk-politics/2012/02/united-kingdom-scotland-world</ref> Debated in ''The Guardian'' also suggested Scottish independence could benefit the UK as well,<ref>http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2012/jan/15/neal-ascherson-scottish-independence-salmond</ref> while also saying devomax should not be on the ballot as it could result in cross-voting for those who favour independence but look at this as a fallback option.<Ref>http://www.guardian.co.uk/theobserver/2012/jan/22/the-big-issue-scottish-devolution</ref> |
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=== Campaign structures === |
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==== Cost and funding ==== |
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The SNP is in favour of retaining cultural and other ties with the UK and would apply to join the [[Commonwealth of Nations]].<Ref name="issue">http://diplomatonline.com/mag/2012/04/the-case-for-scottish-independence/</ref> In regards to maintaining the [[British monarchy]] in Scotland, Salmond has said the monarchy would be retained, while his close relationship with [[Queen Elizabeth II]] was seen as favourable towards maintaining ties.<Ref>http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/theroyalfamily/8521736/How-the-Queen-will-help-see-off-Scottish-independence.html</ref> However, she was still said to "fear" for the future of the Great Britain, but will accept the result of the referendum.<Ref>http://www.metro.co.uk/news/864751-queen-fears-for-uk-over-scottish-independence</ref> [[Scottish Liberal Democrat]] [[Willie Rennie]] also asked for clarification on the issue,<ref>http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2012/02/12/scottish-independence-queen-role-alex-salmond-snp_n_1271238.html</ref> while Holyrood's justice committee convenor, [[Christine Grahame]], pledged to hold a referendum on maintaining a "full-blown monarchy, an edited version or go for a republic."<Ref>http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/9261092/Queen-may-not-remain-monarch-of-an-independent-Scotland.html</ref> |
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In the 2010 Draft Bill, the Scottish government proposed that there would be one designated campaign organisation for each outcome, both of which would be permitted to spend up to £750,000 on their campaign and to send one free [[mailshot]] to every household or voter in the referendum franchise. There was to be no public funding for campaigns. Registered political parties were each to be allowed to spend £100,000.<ref name=ScottishGovernmentReferendumBillConsultationPaper25Feb2010 /> This proposed limit on party spending was increased to £250,000 in 2012.<ref name="campaign cash battle">{{Cite news |last=Barnes |first=Eddie |date=14 October 2012 |title=Scottish independence: Salmond in campaign cash battle |work=Scotland on Sunday |publisher=Johnston Publishing |url=http://www.scotsman.com/news/scottish-independence-salmond-in-campaign-cash-battle-1-2573978 |access-date=14 October 2012}}</ref> |
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In 2013, new proposals by the Electoral Commission for the 16-week regulated period preceding the poll were accepted. They allowed the two designated campaign organisations to spend up to £1.5 million each and for the parties in Scotland to spend the following amounts: £1,344,000 (SNP); £834,000 (Labour); £396,000 (Conservatives); £201,000 (Liberal Democrats); £150,000 (Greens).<ref name="new question" /> An unlimited number of other organisations could register with the Electoral Commission, but their spending was limited to £150,000.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Adams |first=Lucy |date=1 May 2014 |title=Scottish independence: Questions raised over campaign spending rules |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-27228971 |access-date=1 May 2014 |website=BBC News |publisher=BBC}}</ref> Groups spending more than £250,000 were required to submit audited returns to the Commission by 18 March 2015.<ref>{{Cite web |date=14 May 2015 |title=Scottish independence referendum campaigners spent £6.7m |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-32735695 |access-date=14 May 2015 |website=BBC News |publisher=BBC}}</ref> |
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===Taxation revenue and currency=== |
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Another issue in the election is to maintain Scottish control of income earned within Scottish territory, particulary [[brent crude]] produces in the [[North Sea]] (90% of the UK's oil production comes from Scottish territorial waters).<Ref name="issue"/> The Scottish former Chancellor of the Exchequer Alistair Darling, who is heading the campaign against independence, challenged Salmond's plans to maintain a currency union with the UK and continue to use the [[British pound]]. He said that voters in the rest of the UK could choose not to be in a currency union with Scotland<ref>http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2012/jun/19/scottish-independence-alistair-darling-currency</ref> and added criticism of Salmond in sarcastically repeating the mantra "everything will change but nothing will change." He further noted:<Ref name="darling">http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2012/jun/25/scottish-independence-darling-ridicules-salmond</ref> |
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<blockquote> |
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He is saying we will keep the pound, be in a currency union with the rest of the United Kingdom, by the way not asking the rest of the UK whether they want that, and entering into the sort of currency union you have got in the eurozone right now. My argument is why on earth would you want to do that when everybody knows currency union inevitably takes you to closer economic and fiscal union? In other words you end up where you started. To argue in some way it is not going to change anything at all, well, what is the point of it?"</blockquote> |
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According to the Scottish government's consultation paper published on 25 February 2010, the cost of the referendum was "likely to be around £9.5 million", mostly spent on running the poll and the count. Costs would also include the posting of one neutral information leaflet about the referendum to every Scottish household, and one free mailshot to every household or voter in the poll for the designated campaign organisations.<ref name=ScottishGovernmentReferendumBillConsultationPaper25Feb2010 /> In April 2013, the projected cost of the referendum was £13.3 million;<ref>{{Cite web |date=3 April 2013 |title=Scottish independence: Referendum cost estimated at £13.3m |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-22014286 |access-date=14 May 2013 |website=BBC News |publisher=BBC}}</ref> the final administrative cost was £15.85 million.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Carrell |first=Severin |date=4 September 2015 |title=Scottish independence referendum cost £2m more than expected |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/sep/04/scottish-independence-referendum-cost-more-than-expected |access-date=24 January 2017}}</ref> |
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===Defence=== |
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In defence issues, Scotland would need its own army and officer corps, possibly in line with smaller countries like Denmark and Norway that are also a part of [[NATO]], whose membership it could inherit. The most controversial repercussion of an independent vote would be the SNP's objection to having nuclear weapons on its territory with Salmond telling Holyrood that "it is inconceivable that an independent nation of 5,250,000 people would tolerate the continued presence of weapons of mass destruction on its soil." The [[Trident nuclear missile system]] is based at [[Coulport]] weapons depot and naval base of [[Faslane]] in the [[Firth of Clyde]] area. These would have to be phased out, but British military leaders reported that there was no alternative site for the missiles.<ref>http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2012/jan/29/trident-nuclear-deterrent-scotland-independence</reF><Ref>http://www.newstatesman.com/blogs/the-staggers/2012/01/nuclear-scotland-submarines</ref> This also caused consternation in the United States. A seminar hosted by the [[Carnegie Endowment for International Peace]] asked: "In the absence of a suitable option for re-basing the submarines in England or Wales, the United Kingdom's Royal Navy must consider a range of alternatives -- including disarmament."<ref>http://www.nti.org/gsn/article/scottish-independence-may-have-serious-repercussions-us-trident-missile-program/</ref> Questions were also asked at a hearing in [[Westminster]] in regards to recruitment from Scotland for the [[British Armed Forces]] at a time of downsizing and speculation about the due separation of assets.<Ref>http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201213/cmselect/cmdfence/uc483-i/uc48301.htm</ref> |
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==== Campaigning organisations ==== |
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===European Union and United Nations=== |
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[[File:Yes Scotland 2014 - geograph.org.uk - 4135401.jpg|thumb|Yes campaign poster on a shop]] |
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The SNP also advocated entry into the European Union, but with reservations over keeping control of its own taxation and sovereign issues. Another issue was Scotland's membership of the [[United Nations]],<Ref name="issue"/> however British Prime Minister David Cameron suggested an independent Scotland would be "marginalised" at the UN and NATO. He also added that there was no question of the UK losing its permanent seat at the [[United Nations Security Council]].<Ref>http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2012/02/15/scottish-independence-cameron-un-security-council_n_1279408.html</ref> It was reported in ''The Spectator'' and ''[[The Independent]]'' that Spain may object to Scottish membership of the EU amid fears of repercussion within its own Catalonia and [[Basque country]],<Ref>http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/spain-could-wield-veto-over-scotlands-eu-membership-6292846.html</ref><ref>http://www.spectator.co.uk/coffeehouse/7571403/would-spain-stop-scotland-from-joining-the-eu.thtml</ref><ref>http://euobserver.com/843/114896</ref> but this was denied by the Spanish Government.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.heraldscotland.com/politics/political-news/scots-referendum-triggers-fears-of-spain-breakaway.1327460819?_=897af3b3a0bf7d1326ec4b728332311a88cec6fa|title=Scots referendum triggers fears of Spain breakaway|work=The Herald|publisher=Herald & Times Group|date=25 January 2012|accessdate=31 January 2012|first=Michael|last=Settle}}</ref> |
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[[File:Scottish IndyRef 2014 12.jpg|thumb|Tenement block in [[Leith]] with both Yes and No referendum posters and Union flag]] |
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[[File:Indyref aye painted police box at flodden wall.jpg|thumb|Indyref "aye" painted police box at Flodden Wall, Edinburgh]] |
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The campaign in favour of Scottish independence, [[Yes Scotland]], was launched on 25 May 2012.<ref name="yes scotland">{{Cite web |date=25 May 2012 |title=Scottish independence: One million Scots urged to sign 'yes' declaration |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-18162832 |access-date=18 July 2012 |website=BBC News |publisher=BBC}}</ref> |
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===Sport=== |
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Its chief executive was [[Blair Jenkins]],<ref name="yes scotland" /> formerly the Director of Broadcasting at [[Scottish Television|STV]] and Head of News and Current Affairs at both STV and [[BBC Scotland]]. The campaign was supported by the SNP,<ref name="yes scotland" /> the Scottish Green Party (which also created "its own pro-independence campaign to run alongside Yes Scotland")<ref>{{Cite web |date=6 October 2012 |title=Scottish independence: Greens join Yes Scotland campaign |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-19858857 |access-date=7 October 2012 |website=BBC News |publisher=BBC}}</ref> and the [[Scottish Socialist Party]]. |
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There have also been suggestion that the [[2014 Commonwealth Games]], taking place two months before the election, in Glasgow could be used to showcase Scotland. Though the SNP denied and criticised any links between the Games and the referendum, [[Scott Stevenson]], the director of sport at Commonwealth Games Canada, related the Canadian experience with [[Quebecois nationalism]] and said: |
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<blockquote>I'm pretty optimistic there'll be greater interest in Glasgow than some recent Games. I've asked in meetings how we can expect the political issues to play out and that politics won't be put into the Games. Athletes want to come in and compete, unencumbered by politics."</blockquote> |
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At its launch, Salmond stated that he hoped one million people in Scotland would sign a declaration of support for independence.<ref>{{Cite web |date=30 November 2012 |title=Scottish independence: Yes Scotland signs up 143,000 supporters |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-20539259 |access-date=31 July 2013 |website=BBC News |publisher=BBC}}</ref> On 22 August 2014, Yes Scotland announced that the one million target had been surpassed.<ref>{{Cite web |date=22 August 2014 |title=Scottish independence: Yes declaration hits million target |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-28894313 |access-date=22 August 2014 |website=BBC News |publisher=BBC}}</ref> |
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This also came in light of the [[1986 Commonwealth Games]] in [[Edinburgh]], the last time Scotland hosted the Games, which was boycotted by a majority of countries due to British support for South Africa amidst a backdrop of the [[sporting boycott of South Africa]].<ref>http://www.insidethegames.biz/commonwealth-games/2014/16048-scottish-independence-referendum-will-increase-interest-in-glasgow-2014-it-is-claimed</ref> The timing parallel with using the Games and the referendum was also made by ''[[The Guardian]]''.<ref>http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/scottish-independence-essential-guide</ref><ref>http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2012/jan/11/scottish-independence-referendum-autumn-2014</ref> |
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The campaign in favour of Scotland remaining in the UK, [[Better Together (campaign)|Better Together]], was launched on 25 June 2012.<ref name="better together">{{Cite web |date=25 June 2012 |title=Scottish independence: Alistair Darling warns of 'no way back' |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-18572750 |access-date=18 July 2012 |website=BBC News |publisher=BBC}}</ref> It was led by [[Alistair Darling]], former [[Chancellor of the Exchequer]], and had support from the Conservative Party, Labour Party and Liberal Democrats.<ref name="better together" /><ref>{{Cite web |date=17 October 2012 |title=Federalism: the best future for Scotland |url=http://icas.org.uk/WorkArea/DownloadAsset.aspx?id=12884904879 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140926094752/http://icas.org.uk/WorkArea/DownloadAsset.aspx?id=12884904879 |archive-date=26 September 2014 |access-date=19 September 2014 |publisher=Scottish Liberal Democrats}}</ref> |
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Similarly, during the [[2012 Summer Olympics]], Salmond said that this would be Scotland's last appearance as part of [[Great Britain at the Olympics]] before it competes as an independent Scotland in the [[2016 Summer Olympics]].<Ref>http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/scotland/9412592/Alex-Salmond-London-2012-will-be-final-lap-for-Team-GB.html</ref> [[International Olympic Committee]] representative [[Craig Reedie]] suggested that Scots would have to continue to represent Great Britain in 2016, as international recognition of an independent Scotland would not be immediately conferred after the referendum.<ref name = "reedie"/> He also questioned whether an independent Scotland could also support its athletes to the same extent as Great Britain.<ref name = "reedie">{{cite news|url=http://news.stv.tv/politics/140940-independent-scotland-would-have-to-compete-in-team-gb-at-2016-olympics/?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter|title=Independent Scotland ‘would have to compete in Team GB at 2016 Olympics’|work=STV|publisher=STV Group|date=12 August 2012|accessdate=12 August 2012}}</ref> Former prime minister [[Gordon Brown]] also pointed to the [[2012 Summer Olympics medal table|medal count for Great Britain]] in saying it showed the success of a union that included the two nations.<ReF>http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/opinion/2012/08/201281914931705215.html</ref> |
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=== |
==== Advertising ==== |
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Political advertising on television and radio in the UK was prohibited by the [[Communications Act 2003]], with the exception of permitted [[party political broadcast]]s.<ref>{{Cite web |date=22 April 2013 |title=European Court upholds UK political advert ban |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-22238582 |access-date=30 May 2014 |website=BBC News |publisher=BBC}}</ref> Three major cinema chains stopped showing adverts by referendum campaign groups after receiving negative feedback from their customers.<ref>{{Cite web |date=28 May 2014 |title=Scottish independence: Cinemas pull referendum adverts |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-27602601 |access-date=30 May 2014 |website=BBC News |publisher=BBC}}</ref> |
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As the majority of responses to the consultation were opposed to [[LGBT rights in Scotland|same-sex marriage]],<Ref>http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/scotlands-gay-marriage-law-to-progress-7976154.html</ref> the SNP's stance on legalising the institution by 2015 was controversial. During campaign tours Salmond and other SNP MSPs were asked questions about the issue along with independence.<ReF>http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/scotland/9427263/Alex-Salmond-turns-Scottish-Cabinet-tour-into-independence-drive.html</ref> Deputy First Minister [[Nicola Sturgeon]] still suggested that, despite polling to the contrary, a majority of people supported the move.<Ref>http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/scotland/scottish-politics/9426224/Gay-marriage-to-be-legalised-in-Scotland-despite-two-thirds-of-people-opposing-change.html</ref> The [[BBC]] suggested the bold tactic could be a risk as voters who opposed same-sex marriage could turn against supporting independence.<Ref>http://newsnetscotland.com/index.php/referendum/5457-bbc-scotland-reporter-claims-same-sex-marriage-could-force-scots-to-vote-against-independence</ref> |
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== |
==== Donations ==== |
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In December 2013, the Better Together campaign declared that it had received donations of £2,800,000.<ref name="money2">{{Cite news |date=11 June 2014 |title=JK Rowling Subjected to Cybnernat Abuse After £1m Pro-UK Donation |work=The Daily Telegraph |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/scottish-independence/10893567/JK-Rowling-subjected-to-Cybnernat-abuse-after-1m-pro-UK-donation.html |url-status=dead |access-date=11 June 2014 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20140611221424/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/scottish-independence/10893567/JK-Rowling-subjected-to-Cybnernat-abuse-after-1m-pro-UK-donation.html |archive-date=11 June 2014}}</ref> Six-figure contributions were made by businessmen [[Ian Taylor (British businessman)|Ian Taylor]] and Donald Houston, and by author [[C. J. Sansom]].<ref name="money1" /> Almost 27,000 donations of under £7,500 had been received by the same date.<ref name="money1" /> A later donation came from writer [[J. K. Rowling]], who announced in June 2014 that she had given £1,000,000 to the Better Together campaign.<ref name="money2" /><ref name="money1">{{Cite web |date=11 June 2014 |title=Scottish Independence: Who Are the Big and Small Money Referendum Donors? |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-27798020 |access-date=11 June 2014 |website=BBC News |publisher=BBC}}</ref> In the following month, whisky distiller [[William Grant & Sons]] announced a donation of approximately £100,000.<ref>{{Cite web |date=6 July 2014 |title=Scottish Independence: Distiller William Grant and Sons Donates to Better Together |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-28183123 |access-date=8 July 2014 |website=BBC News |publisher=BBC}}</ref> On 12 August 2014, Better Together announced that it had raised enough money to cover the maximum spending permitted and was no longer accepting donations.<ref name="enough">{{Cite news |date=13 August 2014 |title=Better Together calls for no more donations after post-TV debate flood of cash |work=The Daily Telegraph |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/scottish-independence/11029881/Better-Together-calls-for-no-more-donations-after-post-TV-debate-flood-of-cash.html |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |access-date=13 August 2014 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/scottish-independence/11029881/Better-Together-calls-for-no-more-donations-after-post-TV-debate-flood-of-cash.html |archive-date=12 January 2022}}{{Cbignore}}</ref> This was attributed in part to a large number of small donations being received after the first televised debate between First Minister [[Alex Salmond]] and Labour MP [[Alistair Darling]].<ref name="enough" /> |
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[[Canon Kenyon Wright]], who led the [[Scottish Constitutional Convention]] campaigning for a devolved parliament, said that the terms of the election should be governed by Holyrood and not dictated by Westminster.<Ref>http://www.google.com/hostednews/ukpress/article/ALeqM5iWWalbWkSO01BZUzLLodrL9JPAJQ?docId=N0335681344429992248A</ref> The Yes Scotland campaign was launches with endorsements from internationally renown Scottish personalities, including [[Sean Connery]]. [[Brian Cox (actor)|Brian Cox]] also said that Scotland was under "centralised servitude" and talked of his disenchantment with Labour governments in Westminster, including that led by the Scot Gordon Brown. "The parliament at Westminster can see no further than the end of its own bridge." National poet [[Liz Lochhead]] read a poem deals with the English-Scottish rivalry during the 16th century. Author [[Harry Reid (author)|Harry Reid]] suggested a rejection vote would depend on the ability of Labour to revive its traditional popularity in Scotland.<Ref name="endorse"/> |
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As of May 2014, the Yes Scotland campaign had declared £4,500,000 in cash donations.<ref name="money2" /><ref name="money1" /> [[EuroMillions]] lottery-winners Chris and Colin Weir gave £3,500,000.<ref name="money2" /> A six-figure donation was given by investment fund manager Angus Tulloch; approximately 18,000 donations of less than £7,500 had been made by the same date.<ref name="money1" /> |
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[[Plaid Cymru]]'s [[Leanne Wood]] expressed support for the Yes Scotland campaign.<reF>http://www.english.leannewood.plaidcymru.org/news/2012/05/25/plaid-leader-offers-yes-scotland-support-and-solidarity/</ref> She also added that [[British history]] was at "a hinge point" and that Wales would follow with independence within a generation but continue to be a part of a "neighbourhood of nations."<ref>http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-18642373</ref> She further said that England is a sister nation with which all three nations have a "common Britishness." {{sic}}<ref>http://www.itv.com/news/wales/2012-06-29/therell-still-be-a-britain-says-plaid-leader/</ref> |
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=== Voting process === |
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During the premier of the [[Pixar]] movie ''[[Brave (movie)|Brave]]'', which Salmond attended and pitches for independence, [[Emma Thompson]], who lives half the year in Scotland, warned against dividing Great Britain "in an ever-shrinking world," despite saying Great Britain "was so awful to Scotland."<Ref>http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/scotland/scottish-politics/9459517/Scottish-independence-Emma-Thompson-attacks-separation.html</ref> |
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Voting for the referendum commenced on 27 August 2014, with the receipt of ballots by postal voters. As of 15 August, 680,235 eligible voters had registered for postal voting, a 20% increase compared with March 2014.<ref name="postal">{{Cite web |date=26 August 2014 |title=Scottish Independence: The popular rise of postal voting |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-28741264 |access-date=29 August 2014 |website=BBC News |publisher=BBC}}</ref> During the postal vote phase, Police Scotland arrested a man from Glasgow on suspicion of selling his vote on [[eBay]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=30 August 2014 |title=Scottish independence: Man arrested after votes 'for sale' on eBay |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-28996416 |access-date=30 August 2014 |website=BBC News |publisher=BBC}}</ref> |
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The registration deadline for referendum voters was 2 September 2014.<ref name="postal" /> Several councils reported the processing of "unprecedented" numbers of new registrations, while others received "tens of thousands" of applications in the final week.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Adams |first=Lucy |date=2 September 2014 |title=Scottish independence: Thousands in late rush to register to vote |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-29024311 |access-date=2 September 2014 |website=BBC News |publisher=BBC}}</ref> |
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==Polling== |
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=== Outcome of the vote === |
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Polls have been conducted in two main formats, either asking a straight yes or no question on independence, or including some form of increased devolution as a third option. |
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The UK Government said that, if a simple majority of the vote was in favour of independence, then 'Scotland would become an independent country after a process of negotiations'.<ref name="outcome">{{Cite web |title=Scottish independence referendum |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/topical-events/scottish-independence-referendum/about |url-status=deviated |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140412021958/https://www.gov.uk/government/topical-events/scottish-independence-referendum/about |archive-date=April 12, 2014 |publisher=UK Government}}</ref><ref name="agreement">{{Cite web |date=18 June 2014 |title=Scottish independence: Post-referendum agreement reached |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-27906062 |access-date=18 June 2014 |website=BBC News |publisher=BBC}}</ref> If the majority opposed independence, Scotland would remain part of the United Kingdom.<ref name="outcome" /><ref name="agreement" /> Further powers would be devolved to the Scottish Parliament as a result of the Scotland Act 2012.<ref name="outcome" /><ref name="agreement" /> The Electoral Commission prepared an information leaflet which confirmed that the UK and Scottish governments had reached agreement on these points.<ref name="agreement" /> Cameron said in May 2014 that he believed that the referendum would be 'irreversible and binding'.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Swinford |first=Steven |date=20 May 2014 |title=David Cameron: Scotland referendum will be 'irreversible and binding' |work=Daily Telegraph |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/scottish-independence/10843707/David-Cameron-Scotland-referendum-will-be-irreversible-and-binding.html |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |access-date=3 November 2016 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/scottish-independence/10843707/David-Cameron-Scotland-referendum-will-be-irreversible-and-binding.html |archive-date=12 January 2022}}{{Cbignore}}</ref> In the week before the referendum, both sides said they would abide by the result.<ref>{{Cite news |last=McVeigh |first=Karen |date=17 September 2014 |title=Scottish referendum: yes and no agree it's a once-in-a-lifetime vote |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2014/sep/17/scottish-independence-referendum-yes-no-agree-once-in-lifetime-vote |access-date=1 January 2020}}</ref> Salmond said that it was a 'once in a generation' event, citing the precedent of the two devolution referendums in [[1979 Scottish devolution referendum|1979]] and [[1997 Scottish devolution referendum|1997]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=14 September 2014 |title=Salmond: 'Referendum is once in a generation opportunity' |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-scotland-29196661/salmond-referendum-is-once-in-a-generation-opportunity |access-date=1 January 2020 |website=BBC News |publisher=BBC}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Sim |first=Phillip |date=16 January 2020 |title='' Indyref2: What does 'once in a generation' mean?'' |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-51120175 |access-date=3 September 2020 |publisher=BBC}}</ref> |
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In the event of a majority for Yes, the Scottish Government had proposed an independence date of 24 March 2016.<ref>{{Cite news |last=McKenna |first=Kevin |date=24 November 2013 |title=SNP sets the day for Scottish independence: 24 March 2016 |work=The Observer |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2013/nov/24/scottish-independence-day-march |access-date=14 July 2016}}</ref> It was suggested that, after negotiations concluded, the UK Parliament would legislate for Scottish independence to take place on the date that had been negotiated.<ref>{{Cite web |date=14 May 2014 |title=Constitution Committee – Eighth Report: Scottish independence: constitutional implications of the referendum |url=https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld201314/ldselect/ldconst/188/18802.htm |access-date=13 July 2016 |publisher=UK Parliament, House of Lords}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=July 2014 |title=Government Response to the House of Lords Select Committee on the Constitution Report of Session 2013–14, Scottish independence: constitutional implications of the referendum |url=http://www.parliament.uk/documents/lords-committees/constitution/AnnualOralEvidence2014-15/scottish-independence-govt-response-July14.pdf |access-date=13 July 2016}}</ref> A report by a UK House of Lords committee published in May 2014 said that the UK could opt to delay the independence date.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Cramb |first=Auslan |date=16 May 2014 |title=Peers suggest UK could delay proposed date of Scottish independence |work=Daily Telegraph |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/scotland/scottish-politics/10835796/Peers-suggest-UK-could-delay-proposed-date-of-Scottish-independence.html |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |access-date=3 November 2016 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/scotland/scottish-politics/10835796/Peers-suggest-UK-could-delay-proposed-date-of-Scottish-independence.html |archive-date=12 January 2022}}{{Cbignore}}</ref> |
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{| class="sortable" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="1" style="margin:auto;border:solid 1px gray;" |
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== Issues == |
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=== Agriculture === |
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In 2013, as part of a European Union (EU) member state, Scottish farmers received £583 million in subsidy payments from the EU under the [[Common Agricultural Policy]] (CAP).<ref name="farmers views">{{Cite web |last=Bicker |first=Laura |date=29 April 2014 |title=Scottish independence: Farmers give their views on referendum debate |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-27201675 |access-date=30 April 2014 |website=BBC News |publisher=BBC}}</ref> Annual CAP payments are made to the UK, which then determines how much to allocate to each of the devolved administrations, including Scotland.<ref name="farmers impact">{{Cite web |last=Smith |first=Colletta |date=29 April 2014 |title=Scottish independence:How might a 'Yes' vote impact on farmers? |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-27195830 |access-date=30 April 2014 |website=BBC News |publisher=BBC}}</ref> In the last CAP agreement, farmers in the UK qualified for additional convergence payments because Scottish farmers received a lower average single farm payment per hectare, mainly due to the mountainous terrain in Scotland.<ref name="farmers impact" /><ref>{{Cite web |date=8 November 2013 |title=Scotland's CAP budget cut |url=http://news.scotland.gov.uk/News/Scotland-s-CAP-budget-cut-5f7.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140618184626/http://news.scotland.gov.uk/News/Scotland-s-CAP-budget-cut-5f7.aspx |archive-date=18 June 2014 |access-date=4 June 2014 |publisher=Scottish Government}}</ref> Supporters of independence therefore believed that an independent Scotland would receive greater [[agricultural subsidy|agricultural subsidies]] as an independent state.<ref name="farmers impact" /> Opponents of independence believed that Scottish farmers benefited from the Union because the UK was one of the larger EU member states, and therefore had a greater say in CAP negotiations.<ref name="farmers impact" /> They also questioned whether an independent Scotland would immediately receive full subsidy payments from the EU, as recent new member states had their subsidies phased in.<ref name="farmers impact" /> |
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=== Border controls and immigration === |
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[[File:England - Scotland border - geograph.org.uk - 477405.jpg|thumb|The Scottish government proposed that there would be no border controls on the [[Anglo-Scottish border]].]] |
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At the time of the independence referendum, the UK had some [[Opt-outs in the European Union|opt-outs from EU policies]]. One was the opt-out from the [[Schengen Area]], meaning there were full passport checks for travellers from other EU countries except the [[Republic of Ireland]], which was part of a [[Common Travel Area]] (CTA) with the UK. The Scottish government proposed that an independent Scotland would remain outside the Schengen Area and remain inside the CTA,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Annex 7: Schengen and the Common Travel Area |url=http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2013/11/5894/16 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140606221650/http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2013/11/5894/16 |archive-date=6 June 2014 |access-date=4 June 2014}}</ref><ref name="guardian border" /> ensuring that no passport controls would be needed at the [[Anglo-Scottish border]]. Nicola Sturgeon commented that an independent Scotland would negotiate with the EU to have the same visa arrangements as the UK has.<ref>{{Cite web |date=28 January 2013 |title=The Foreign Policy Implications of and for an Independent Scotland |url=https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201213/cmselect/cmfaff/uc643-iv/uc643.pdf |access-date=4 June 2014}}</ref> |
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[[Alistair Carmichael]], the Secretary of State for Scotland, said in January 2014 that it would make sense for Scotland to be in the CTA, but it would have to operate similar immigration policies to the rest of the UK.<ref name="guardian border" /> This position was supported by Home Secretary [[Theresa May]], who said in March 2014 that passport checks should be introduced if Scotland adopted a looser immigration policy.<ref name="guardian border">{{Cite news |last=Carrell |first=Severin |date=14 March 2014 |title=Theresa May would seek passport checks between Scotland and England |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2014/mar/14/passport-checks-needed-between-independent-scotland-and-england |access-date=1 May 2014}}</ref> The Conservative MP [[Richard Bacon (politician)|Richard Bacon]] said there would be "no reason" for border controls to be implemented.<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=etwumT54Vik |title=Tory MP rubbishes border claims |date=4 November 2013 |access-date=21 August 2014 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211107/etwumT54Vik |archive-date=2021-11-07 |url-status=live}}{{Cbignore}}</ref> |
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=== Childcare === |
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In the white paper ''Scotland's Future'', the Scottish government pledged to expand childcare provision in an independent Scotland.<ref name="childcare">{{Cite web |date=27 November 2013 |title=Scottish independence: Alex Salmond outlines childcare 'savings' |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-25114249 |access-date=3 May 2014 |website=BBC News |publisher=BBC}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=25 March 2014 |title=Scottish independence: Could Scotland afford better childcare? |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-26587040 |access-date=3 May 2014 |website=BBC News |publisher=BBC}}</ref> The paper stated that this policy would cost £700 million, but that this would be financed by increased tax revenue from an additional 100,000 women returning to work.<ref name="childcare" /> |
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Scottish Labour leader [[Johann Lamont]] said that the policy should be implemented immediately if the Scottish government believed it would have a beneficial effect,<ref name="childcare" /> but Alex Salmond responded that under devolution the costs of the policy would have to be financed by cuts elsewhere in public expenditure.<ref name="childcare" /> In March 2014, the National Day Nurseries Association said that the plan could not be implemented unless greater funding was provided by local authorities to private nurseries.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Taylor |first=Marianne |date=25 March 2014 |title=Scottish independence: childcare plan 'unworkable' without more funds |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-26033775 |access-date=3 May 2014 |website=BBC News |publisher=BBC}}</ref> A report by the Scottish Parliament Information Centre questioned the economic benefit of the policy, pointing out that there were only 64,000 mothers of children aged between 1 and 5 who were economically inactive.<ref name="inactive">{{Cite web |date=3 April 2014 |title=Scottish independence: Scottish government childcare plan questioned |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-26877767 |access-date=3 May 2014 |website=BBC News |publisher=BBC}}</ref> A spokesman for Salmond said that the estimated total 104,000 women would enter the workforce over a longer period, as future generations of mothers would also be able to work, stating: "The key point about the policy is that it doesn't happen on one day or one year and then cease."<ref name="inactive" /> |
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=== Citizenship === |
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The Scottish government proposed that all British citizens who had been born in Scotland would automatically become Scottish citizens on the date of independence, regardless of whether or not they were then living in Scotland. British citizens "habitually resident" in Scotland would also be considered Scottish citizens, even if they already held the citizenship of another country. Every person who would automatically be considered a Scottish citizen would be able to opt-out of Scottish citizenship provided they already held the citizenship of another country.<ref name="citizens">{{Cite news |date=26 November 2013 |title=Scotland citizenship, passport plans outlined |work=The Scotsman |publisher=Johnston Publishing |url=https://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/scotland-citizenship-passport-plans-outlined-1552080?amp |access-date=27 November 2013}}</ref> The Scottish government also proposed that anyone with a Scottish parent or grandparent would be able to apply for registration as a Scottish citizen, and any foreign national living in Scotland legally, or who had lived in Scotland for at least 10 years at any time and had an ongoing connection to Scotland, should be able to apply for naturalisation as a Scottish citizen.<ref name="citizens" /> UK Home Secretary [[Theresa May]] said the future policies of an independent Scottish government would affect whether Scottish citizens would be allowed to retain British citizenship.<ref>{{Cite news |date=27 November 2013 |title=Key questions on independence white paper answered |work=The Scotsman |url=http://www.scotsman.com/news/key-questions-on-independence-white-paper-answered-1-3209904 |access-date=27 November 2013}}</ref> An analysis paper published by the UK government in January 2014 stated that it was likely that Scots would be able to hold dual citizenship;<ref>{{Cite news |last=Gardham |first=Magnus |date=24 January 2014 |title=Scots to stay British despite vote |work=The Herald |url=http://www.heraldscotland.com/politics/referendum-news/scots-to-stay-british-despite-vote.23257477 |access-date=22 May 2014}}</ref> however, the duality was considered for all other countries, not specifically to the rest of the UK. The possibility of holding dual UK–Scotland citizenships could be subject to the "proof of affinity".<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/274477/scotland_analysis_borders_citizenship.pdf |title=Scotland analysis: Borders and citizenship |date=January 2014 |work=assets.publishing.service.gov.uk |publisher=The Stationery Office Limited |isbn=978-0-10-187262-1}}</ref> |
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=== Conspiracy theories === |
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Supporters of Scottish independence promulgated conspiracy theories, including that [[MI5]], the British government, and other intelligence agencies were pretending to be Scottish nationalists online, pretending to be "[[cybernats]]" (a derogatory term for supporters of Scottish nationalism online, especially [[Troll (slang)|trolls]]),<ref>{{Cite news |last=Wheatly |first=Bethany |date=18 September 2014 |title=Cybernats and conspiracy theories |work=Fondapol |url=https://www.fondapol.org/decryptage/cybernats-and-conspiracy-theories/}}</ref> or engaging in [[ballot tampering]] or other forms of [[vote fraud]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Hirst |first=Tomas |date=24 September 2014 |title=An Independence Vote-Rigging Conspiracy Theory Is Sweeping Scotland |work=Business Insider |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/independence-vote-rigging-conspiracy-theory-sweeping-scotland-2014-9}}</ref> A [[YouGov]] poll in early September showed 25 per cent of the electorate believed MI5 was working with the British government to block independence, with many voters so fearful that the marks made by the pencils provided in polling stations would be tampered with that they brought their own pens.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Garavelli |first=Dani |date=28 September 2014 |title=Insight: Indyref truthers and the great conspiracy |work=The Scotsman |url=https://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/insight-indyref-truthers-and-great-conspiracy-1525078}}</ref> |
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=== Defence === |
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==== Budget ==== |
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The SNP said that there was a defence underspend of 'at least £7.4 billion' between 2002 and 2012 in Scotland and that independence would allow the Scottish government to correct this imbalance.<ref>{{Cite web |date=21 January 2013 |title=UK caught "red-handed" on Scotland's underspend |url=http://www.snp.org/media-centre/news/2013/jan/uk-caught-red-handed-scotlands-underspend |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131103011556/http://www.snp.org/media-centre/news/2013/jan/uk-caught-red-handed-scotlands-underspend |archive-date=3 November 2013 |access-date=22 January 2014 |website=www.snp.org |publisher=Scottish National Party}}</ref> In its white paper, the Scottish government planned that an independent Scotland would have a total of 15,000 regular and 5,000 reserve personnel across land, air and maritime forces by 2026.<ref name="white paper">{{Cite web |date=November 2013 |title=Scotland's Future |url=http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2013/11/9348/7 |access-date=31 March 2014 |publisher=Scottish Government}}</ref> In July 2013, the SNP proposed that there would be a £2.5 billion annual military budget in an independent Scotland.<ref>{{Cite news |date=3 July 2013 |title=SNP's Clyde warships plan |work=The Scotsman |publisher=Johnston Publishing |url=http://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/top-stories/scottish-independence-snp-s-clyde-warships-plan-1-2985124 |access-date=3 July 2013}}</ref> The House of Commons Defence Select Committee said that the £2.5bn budget was too low.<ref name="Defence">{{Cite news |last=Morris |first=Nigel |date=27 September 2013 |title=Alex Salmond's SNP plans for Scottish independence criticised for lacking crucial detail over defence plans |work=The Independent |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/alex-salmonds-snp-plans-for-scottish-independence-criticised-for-lacking-crucial-detail-over-defence-plans-8842555.html |url-access=subscription |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220501/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/alex-salmonds-snp-plans-for-scottish-independence-criticised-for-lacking-crucial-detail-over-defence-plans-8842555.html |archive-date=1 May 2022}}{{Cbignore}}</ref> [[Andrew Murrison]], UK [[Minister for International Security Strategy]] agreed and said it was 'risible' for the SNP to suggest it could create an independent force by 'salami-slicing' from current British armed forces units.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Cramb |first=Auslan |date=13 November 2013 |title=A budget of £2.5 billion will not buy Scottish Defence Force wishlist, warns defence minister |work=Daily Telegraph |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/scotland/10445747/A-budget-of-2.5-billion-will-not-buy-Scottish-Defence-Force-wishlist-warns-defence-minister.html |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |access-date=15 April 2014 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/scotland/10445747/A-budget-of-2.5-billion-will-not-buy-Scottish-Defence-Force-wishlist-warns-defence-minister.html |archive-date=12 January 2022}}{{Cbignore}}</ref> |
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The House of Commons defence committee also stated that Scottish independence would have a negative effect on its industry,<ref>{{Cite web |date=27 September 2013 |title=SNP defence plans slammed |url=http://www.leftfootforward.org/2013/09/snp-defence-plans-slammed |access-date=31 January 2014 |publisher=Left Foot Forward}}</ref> while the UK government said it would not be willing to build warships in a foreign country.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Morris |first=Nigel |date=6 November 2013 |title=Shipyards jobs axe: an Independent Scotland 'could lose key Royal Navy contracts' |work=The Independent |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/shipyards-jobs-axe-an-independent-scotland-could-lose-key-royal-navy-contracts-8925338.html |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |access-date=26 August 2014 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220501/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/shipyards-jobs-axe-an-independent-scotland-could-lose-key-royal-navy-contracts-8925338.html |archive-date=1 May 2022}}{{Cbignore}}</ref> Geoff Searle, the director of BAE Systems' Type 26 Global Combat Ship programme, said in June 2014 that the company had no alternative plan for shipbuilding,<ref>{{Cite web |date=3 June 2014 |title=BAE Systems continues Type 26 key equipment selections, recommends single-site build plan |url=http://www.janes.com/article/38732/bae-systems-continues-type-26-key-equipment-selections-recommends-single-site-build-plan |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140608011923/http://www.janes.com/article/38732/bae-systems-continues-type-26-key-equipment-selections-recommends-single-site-build-plan |archive-date=8 June 2014 |access-date=5 September 2014 |website=www.janes.com}}</ref> but this position was later revised by the Chairman of BAE, who stated that they could resume shipbuilding in the English city of [[Portsmouth]] if an independent Scotland was established.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bannister |first=Sam |date=8 July 2014 |title=Shipbuilding could return to Portsmouth, says BAE Systems chairman |url=http://www.portsmouth.co.uk/news/defence/shipbuilding-could-return-to-portsmouth-says-bae-systems-chairman-1-6166551 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006091549/http://www.portsmouth.co.uk/news/defence/shipbuilding-could-return-to-portsmouth-says-bae-systems-chairman-1-6166551 |archive-date=6 October 2014 |access-date=26 August 2014 |website=www.portsmouth.co.uk}}</ref> The chief executive of [[Thales Group|Thales]], one of Britain's largest defence suppliers, said that if Scotland became independent that this might raise questions about continued investment from his firm.<ref>{{Cite web |date=9 September 2014 |title=Scottish Independence: Thales Warns of Job and Investment Cuts on Union Break |url=http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/scottish-independence-thales-warns-job-investment-cuts-union-break-1464654 |access-date=17 September 2014 |website=www.ibtimes.co.uk}}</ref> |
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The [[Royal United Services Institute]] said in 2012 that an independent Scotland could set up a Scottish Defence Force, comparable in size and strength to those of other small European states like Denmark, Norway, and Ireland, at an annual cost of £1.8 billion.<ref name="rusi" /> The authors acknowledged that an independent Scotland would 'need to come to some arrangement with the rest of the UK' on intelligence-gathering, cyber-warfare and cyber-defence, that the future cost of purchasing and maintaining equipment of its forces might be higher due to smaller orders, and that recruitment and training might 'prove problematic' in the early years.<ref name="rusi">{{Cite web |date=15 October 2012 |title=A' the Blue Bonnets: Defending an Independent Scotland |url=http://www.rusi.org/news/ref:N507BDE949F81D/#.UHv7bb9y9E4 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121025183924/http://www.rusi.org/news/ref%3AN507BDE949F81D#.UHv7bb9y9E4 |archive-date=25 October 2012 |access-date=15 October 2012 |publisher=[[Royal United Services Institute]]}}</ref> |
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Dorcha Lee, a former colonel in the Irish Army, said that Scotland could eschew forming an army based on inherited resources from the British Army and instead follow an Irish model of a limited self-defence force.<ref>{{Cite news |date=14 April 2013 |title=Irish lesson for independent Scottish forces |work=The Herald |url=http://www.heraldscotland.com/comment/columnists/irish-lesson-for-independent-scottish-forces.20785666 |access-date=22 January 2014}}</ref> |
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==== Nuclear weapons ==== |
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[[File:Trident boat.jpg|thumb|right|A [[Trident (missile)|Trident missile]]-armed {{Sclass|Vanguard|submarine|0}} [[ballistic missile submarine]] leaving its base in the [[Firth of Clyde]]]] |
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At the time of the referendum, the [[Trident nuclear missile system]] was based at [[Coulport]] weapons depot and naval base of [[Faslane]] in the [[Firth of Clyde]] area. The SNP objected to having nuclear weapons on Scottish territory, but British military leaders said that there was no alternative site for the missiles.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Norton-Taylor |first=Richard |date=29 January 2012 |title=Trident nuclear deterrent 'at risk' if Scotland votes for independence |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2012/jan/29/trident-nuclear-deterrent-scotland-independence |access-date=11 October 2012}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=13 January 2012 |title=What would Scottish independence mean for Trident? |work=New Statesman |url=http://www.newstatesman.com/blogs/the-staggers/2012/01/nuclear-scotland-submarines |access-date=11 October 2012}}</ref> In April 2014, several British military leaders co-signed a letter stating that forcing Trident to leave Scottish waters would place the [[Nuclear weapons of the United Kingdom|UK nuclear deterrent]] in jeopardy.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Riley-Smith |first=Ben |date=14 April 2014 |title=Alex Salmond's Trident plan 'would put UK nuclear deterrent in jeopardy' |work=The Daily Telegraph |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/scotland/scottish-politics/10765229/Alex-Salmonds-Trident-plan-would-put-UK-nuclear-deterrent-in-jeopardy.html |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/scotland/scottish-politics/10765229/Alex-Salmonds-Trident-plan-would-put-UK-nuclear-deterrent-in-jeopardy.html |archive-date=12 January 2022}}{{Cbignore}}</ref> ''Nowhere to Go'', a report by [[Scottish CND]], concluded that the removal of Trident from Scotland would force unilateral nuclear disarmament by the United Kingdom, as the weapons would have no viable alternative base.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Trident: Nowhere to Go |url=http://www.cnduk.org/information/briefings/trident-briefings/item/1324-trident-nowhere-to-go |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120204112502/http://www.cnduk.org/information/briefings/trident-briefings/item/1324-trident-nowhere-to-go |archive-date=4 February 2012 |access-date=4 June 2014}}</ref> A report by the Royal United Services Institute said that relocating Trident would be 'very difficult, but not impossible' and estimated it would take about 10 years and create an additional cost of around £3 billion.<ref>{{Cite web |date=14 August 2014 |title=Scottish independence: Trident relocation 'very difficult but not impossible' |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-28775848 |access-date=14 August 2014 |website=BBC News |publisher=BBC}}</ref> |
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According to a seminar hosted by the [[Carnegie Endowment for International Peace]], that the [[Royal Navy]] would have to consider a range of alternatives, including disarmament.<ref>{{Cite web |date=3 April 2012 |title=Scottish Independence May Impact U.S. Trident Missile Program {{pipe}} Global Security Newswire |url=http://www.nti.org/gsn/article/scottish-independence-may-have-serious-repercussions-us-trident-missile-program |access-date=11 October 2012 |publisher=NTI}}</ref> A 2013 [[Scotland Institute]] report suggested a future Scottish government could be convinced to lease the Faslane nuclear base to the rest of the UK, in order to maintain good diplomatic relations and expedite [[NATO]] entry negotiations.<ref name="military">{{Cite news |last=Johnson |first=Simon |date=24 June 2013 |title=Independent Scotland 'faces dilemma between Trident and Nato' |work=The Daily Telegraph |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/scotland/10139820/Independent-Scotland-faces-dilemma-between-Trident-and-Nato.html |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |access-date=29 June 2013 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/scotland/10139820/Independent-Scotland-faces-dilemma-between-Trident-and-Nato.html |archive-date=12 January 2022}}{{Cbignore}}</ref> |
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==== NATO membership ==== |
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[[File:Location NATO 2009 blue.svg|thumb|Map of [[NATO]] at the time of the referendum, member states shown in dark blue]] |
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SNP policy had historically been that an independent Scotland should not seek to obtain membership in NATO, but this was dropped after a vote by party members in 2012.<ref>{{Cite web |date=19 October 2012 |title=SNP members vote to ditch the party's anti-Nato policy |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-19993694 |access-date=19 October 2012 |website=BBC News |publisher=BBC}}</ref> MSPs [[John Finnie]] and [[Jean Urquhart]] resigned from the SNP over this policy change.<ref>{{Cite news |date=23 October 2012 |title=Two MSPs resign from SNP over party's Nato stance |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2012/oct/23/msps-resign-snp-nato-stance |access-date=17 December 2013}}</ref> The Scottish Green Party and Scottish Socialist Party continued their opposition to NATO membership.<ref>{{Cite news |date=25 May 2013 |title=One Year on: How Was it for Them? |work=The Herald |url=http://www.heraldscotland.com/politics/referendum-news/one-year-on-how-was-it-for-them.21173387 |access-date=17 December 2013}}</ref> |
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The SNP position that Trident nuclear weapons should be removed from Scotland but that it should hold NATO membership was criticised by [[Willie Rennie]], leader of the [[Scottish Liberal Democrats]],<ref>{{Cite news |date=15 August 2013 |title=Alex Salmond told nuclear ban out of line with being in Nato |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2013/aug/15/alex-salmond-nuclear-nato-ban |access-date=17 December 2013}}</ref> and [[Patrick Harvie]], co-convenor of the Scottish Green Party.<ref name="theguardian.com">{{Cite news |date=15 August 2013 |title=Alex Salmond accused of misleading voters over Trident base promises |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2013/aug/15/alex-salmond-trident-nuclear-base |access-date=17 December 2013}}</ref> [[Alex Salmond]] said it would be 'perfectly feasible' to join NATO while maintaining an anti-nuclear stance and that Scotland would pursue NATO membership only 'subject to an agreement that Scotland will not host nuclear weapons and NATO continues to respect the right of members to only take part in UN sanctioned operations'.<ref>{{Cite web |date=19 October 2012 |title=SNP members vote to ditch the party's anti-Nato policy |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-19993694 |access-date=17 December 2013 |website=BBC News |publisher=BBC}}</ref> In 2013, Malcolm Chalmers of the Royal United Services Institute said that 'pragmatists' in the SNP accepted that NATO membership would likely involve a long-term basing deal, enabling the UK to keep Trident on the Clyde.<ref>{{Cite news |date=14 August 2013 |title=Nato chiefs deal blow to SNP's anti-nuclear strategy |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2013/aug/14/nato-blow-snp-nuclear-strategy |access-date=17 December 2013}}</ref> |
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The former [[Secretary General of NATO]] and Scottish Labour peer [[George Robertson, Baron Robertson of Port Ellen|Lord Robertson]] said in 2013 that 'either the SNP accept the central nuclear role of NATO ... or they reject the nuclear role of NATO and ensure that a separate Scottish state stays out of the world's most successful defence alliance.'<ref>{{Cite news |last=Cramb |first=Auslan |date=10 April 2013 |title=An independent Scotland would have to 'support nuclear weapons' to gain access to Nato |work=Daily Telegraph |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/scotland/scottish-politics/9985086/An-independent-Scotland-would-have-to-support-nuclear-weapons-to-gain-access-to-Nato.html |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/scotland/scottish-politics/9985086/An-independent-Scotland-would-have-to-support-nuclear-weapons-to-gain-access-to-Nato.html |archive-date=12 January 2022}}{{Cbignore}}</ref> General [[Richard Shirreff]] criticised SNP defence proposals and questioned whether other NATO members would accept an independent Scotland that rejected the principle of nuclear deterrence.<ref>{{Cite web |date=31 August 2014 |title=Scottish independence: Former Nato commander attacks SNP defence policy |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-29005808 |access-date=3 September 2014 |website=BBC News |publisher=BBC}}</ref> This was disputed by [[Mariot Leslie]], a former UK permanent representative to NATO, who said that NATO would not want to disrupt its arrangements by excluding Scotland.<ref>{{Cite web |date=3 September 2014 |title=Scottish independence: Nato members 'would welcome' Scotland |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-29045528 |access-date=3 September 2014 |website=BBC News |publisher=BBC}}</ref> |
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==== Intelligence ==== |
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A UK government paper on security said that [[Police Scotland]] would lose access to the UK intelligence apparatus, including [[MI5]], [[MI6|SIS]], and [[GCHQ]],<ref name="experts" /> and that an independent Scottish state would need to build security infrastructure.<ref name="experts" /> Theresa May commented that an independent Scotland would have access to less security capability, but would not necessarily face a reduced threat.<ref name="experts" /> In 2013, Allan Burnett, former head of intelligence with [[Strathclyde Police]] and Scotland's counter-terrorism coordinator until 2010, said that 'an independent Scotland would face less of a threat, intelligence institutions will be readily created, and allies will remain allies'. Peter Jackson, professor of security at the [[University of Glasgow]], agreed that Police Scotland's [[Special Branch]] could form a 'suitable nucleus' of a Scottish equivalent of MI5 and that Scotland could forego creating an equivalent of [[MI6]], instead 'relying on pooled intelligence or diplomatic open sources' like Canada or the [[Nordic countries]].<ref name="spy">{{Cite news |last=Leask |first=David |date=30 June 2013 |title=Spy wars |work=The Herald |url=http://www.heraldscotland.com/politics/referendum-news/spy-wars.21480718 |access-date=30 June 2013}}</ref> [[Meta Ramsay, Baroness Ramsay of Cartvale|Baroness Ramsay]], a Labour peer and former case officer with MI6, said that the Scottish government's stance on intelligence was 'extremely naïve' and that it was "not going to be as simple as they think".<ref name="spy" /> [[Nicola Sturgeon]] said that Scotland would create a security service like MI5 to work alongside police and tackle terrorism, cyber-attacks and serious organised crime,<ref name="sturgeon embassies">{{Cite news |last=MacNab |first=Scott |date=30 January 2013 |title=Sturgeon: '100 embassies' for independent Scotland |work=The Scotsman |url=http://www.scotsman.com/news/uk/sturgeon-100-embassies-for-independent-scotland-1-2763247 |access-date=26 August 2014}}</ref> and that creating an external intelligence agency would remain an option.<ref name="sturgeon embassies" /> |
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=== Democracy === |
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The Scottish government and pro-independence campaigners said there was a [[democratic deficit]] in Scotland<ref>{{Cite news |date=10 February 2014 |title=Billy Bragg backs Scottish independence |work=The Scotsman |url=http://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/top-stories/billy-bragg-backs-scottish-independence-1-3300355 |access-date=18 February 2014}}</ref> because the UK was a [[unitary state]] without a codified constitution.<ref>{{Cite web |date=27 November 2013 |title=Salmond: Independence to tackle 'democratic deficit' |url=http://www.itv.com/news/update/2013-11-26/salmond-independence-would-tackle-democratic-deficit |access-date=18 February 2014 |website=www.itv.com |publisher=ITV}}</ref> The SNP also called the unelected [[House of Lords]] an 'affront to democracy'.<ref>{{Cite news |date=4 August 2013 |title=House of Lords an 'affront to democracy' says SNP |work=The Scotsman |url=http://www.scotsman.com/news/uk/house-of-lords-an-affront-to-democracy-says-snp-1-3029597 |access-date=18 February 2014}}</ref> The 'democratic deficit' label has sometimes been used to refer to the period between the 1979 and 1997 UK general elections, during which the Labour Party held a majority of Scottish seats but the Conservative Party governed the whole of the UK.<ref>{{Cite web |date=13 February 2013 |title=The Democratic Deficit |url=http://bellacaledonia.org.uk/2013/02/13/the-democratic-deficit |access-date=18 February 2014 |website=Bella Caledonia}}</ref> Salmond said in September 2013 that instances such as this amounted to a lack of democracy, and that 'people who live and work in Scotland are the people most likely to make the right choices for Scotland'.<ref>{{Cite web |date=18 September 2013 |title=Scottish independence: Holyrood debate marks one year to referendum |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-24127510 |access-date=18 February 2014 |website=BBC News |publisher=BBC}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=26 February 2014 |title=Alex Salmond: Why should Scotland let itself be ruled by the Tories? |work=New Statesman |url=http://www.newstatesman.com/2014/02/alex-salmond-why-should-scotland-let-itself-be-ruled-tories |access-date=27 February 2014}}</ref> In January 2012, Patrick Harvie said: 'Greens have a vision of a more radical democracy in Scotland, with far greater levels of discussion and decision making at community level.'<ref>{{Cite web |date=25 January 2012 |title=Referendum should spark an era of radical Scottish democracy |url=http://www.scottishgreens.org.uk/uncategorized/sgp-news-referendum-should-spark-an-era-of-radical-scottish-democracy |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140223085417/http://www.scottishgreens.org.uk/uncategorized/sgp-news-referendum-should-spark-an-era-of-radical-scottish-democracy |archive-date=23 February 2014 |access-date=18 February 2014}}</ref> The Scottish Government intended that an independent Scotland should have a written constitution that 'expresses our values, embeds the rights of our citizens and sets out clearly how our institutions of state interact with each other and serve the people'.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Scotland's Future: from the Referendum to Independence and a Written Constitution |url=https://www.scotreferendum.com/reports/scotlands-future-from-the-referendum-to-independence-and-a-written-constitution |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141204163759/https://www.scotreferendum.com/reports/scotlands-future-from-the-referendum-to-independence-and-a-written-constitution |archive-date=2014-12-04 |website=scotreferendum.com}}</ref> |
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[[Menzies Campbell]] wrote in April 2014 that any democratic deficit had been addressed by creating the devolved Scottish Parliament, and that 'Scotland and the Scottish have enjoyed influence beyond our size or reasonable expectation' within the British government and the wider political system.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Campbell |first=Menzies |date=7 April 2014 |title=I will vote no to independence because I love Scotland |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/apr/07/independence-scotland-scots-powers-parliament-menzies-campbell |access-date=15 April 2014}}</ref> Conservative MP [[Daniel Kawczynski]] said in 2009 that the UK's [[asymmetric devolution]] had created a democratic deficit for England.<ref name="Kawczynski">{{Cite web |date=4 March 2009 |title=It is time to address the democratic deficit in England |url=http://www.conservativehome.com/platform/2009/03/it-is-time-to-a.html |access-date=15 April 2014 |publisher=www.conservativehome.com}}</ref> This was commonly known as the [[West Lothian question]], which cited the anomaly whereby English MPs could not vote on affairs devolved to Scotland but Scottish MPs could vote on the equivalent subjects in England. Kawczynski also pointed out that the average number of voters in a parliamentary constituency was larger in England than in Scotland.<ref name="Kawczynski" /> |
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During the campaign, each of the three main UK parties conducted reviews of the UK constitution, with each recommending that more powers should devolve to the Scottish Parliament.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2 June 2014 |title=Scottish independence: Tories back Scots income tax power |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-27656628 |access-date=11 August 2014 |website=BBC News |publisher=BBC}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2 June 2014 |title=Scottish independence: What are the 'No' parties offering instead of independence? |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-25626977 |access-date=11 August 2014 |website=BBC News |publisher=BBC}}</ref> On the morning before a televised debate between [[Alex Salmond]] and [[Alistair Darling]],<ref name="autogenerated2">{{Cite web |date=9 July 2014 |title=Scottish independence: STV confirm Darling and Salmond TV debate date |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-28238151 |access-date=9 July 2014 |website=BBC News |publisher=BBC}}</ref> [[Better Together (campaign)|Better Together]] published a joint statement. Co-signed by the three main UK party leaders ([[David Cameron]], [[Ed Miliband]] and [[Nick Clegg]]), it committed to granting Scotland increased power over domestic taxes and parts of the social security system.<ref name="Sev">{{Cite news |last=Carrell |first=Severin |date=5 August 2014 |title=Scotland promised extra tax and legal powers for referendum no vote |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2014/aug/05/scotland-promised-new-powers-no-vote-referendum?CMP=EMCNEWEML6619I2 |access-date=5 August 2014}}</ref> [[Boris Johnson]], the Conservative [[mayor of London]], said he opposed giving the Scottish Parliament greater fiscal powers.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Whitaker |first=Andrew |date=11 August 2014 |title=Boris Johnson vows to resist Scots tax devolution |work=The Scotsman |url=http://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/top-stories/boris-johnson-vows-to-resist-scots-tax-devolution-1-3505113 |access-date=11 August 2014}}</ref> During the second televised debate, Salmond challenged Darling to specify which additional powers that could help create greater employment in Scotland would be granted if there was a 'no' vote.<ref name="soon">{{Cite web |date=28 August 2014 |title=Scottish independence: Cameron promises more powers for Scotland 'soon' |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-28952197 |access-date=28 August 2014 |website=BBC News |publisher=BBC}}</ref> During a visit to Scotland later that week, [[David Cameron]] promised more powers 'soon'.<ref name="soon" /> |
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On 8 September, former Prime Minister [[Gordon Brown]] suggested a timetable for the additional powers to be implemented in the event of a 'no' vote.<ref name="brown">{{Cite web |date=8 September 2014 |title=Scottish independence: Brown sets out more powers timetable |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-29115556 |access-date=23 September 2014 |website=BBC News |publisher=BBC}}</ref> He proposed that work on a new Scotland Act would begin immediately after the referendum, resulting in the publication of a white paper by the end of November 2014.<ref name="brown" /> Two days before the referendum, the three main UK party leaders publicly pledged to introduce 'extensive new powers' by the timetable suggested and that the [[Barnett formula]] of public funding would continue.<ref>{{Cite web |date=16 September 2014 |title=Scottish independence: Cameron, Miliband and Clegg sign 'No' vote pledge |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-29213418 |access-date=23 September 2014 |website=BBC News |publisher=BBC}}</ref> |
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=== Economy === |
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[[File:Evening view across Carlton Hill towards the Castle (13164472813).jpg|thumb|right|[[Edinburgh]], Scotland's capital city and [[financial centre]], the fourth largest financial hub in Europe<ref>{{cite web |title=Edinburgh 4th in Europe in new Financial Centres index – Scottish Financial Review |url=https://scottishfinancialreview.com/2020/09/25/edinburgh-4th-in-europe-in-new-financial-centres-index/ |website=scottishfinancialreview.com |access-date=3 April 2024}}</ref>]] |
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A principal issue in the referendum was the economy.<ref name="ipad">{{Cite web |last=Fraser |first=Douglas |date=15 October 2012 |title=Scottish independence: Braveheart or iPad? |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-19955302 |access-date=19 October 2012 |website=BBC News |publisher=BBC}}</ref> [[Weir Group]], one of the largest private companies based in Scotland, commissioned a study by Oxford Economics into the potential economic effects of Scottish independence.<ref name="weir">{{Cite web |last1=Cook |first1=James |last2=Black |first2=Andrew |date=3 April 2014 |title=Scottish independence: 'Yes' vote carries substantial risk, says Weir Group |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-26864329 |access-date=15 April 2014 |website=BBC News |publisher=BBC}}</ref> It found that Weir would pay more corporation tax, despite the Scottish government's proposal to cut the rate of corporation tax, due to it no longer being able to offset losses in Scotland against profits in the rest of the UK.<ref name="weir" /> It also stated that independence would result in additional costs and complexity in the operation of business pension schemes.<ref name="weir" /> The report found that 70% of all Scottish exports are sold to the rest of the UK, which it said would particularly affect the financial services sector.<ref name="weir" /> [[Standard Life]], one of the Scottish financial sector's largest businesses, said in February 2014 that it had started registering companies in England in case it had to relocate some of its operations there.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Peston |first=Robert |date=27 February 2014 |title=Standard Life could quit Scotland |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-26362321 |access-date=15 April 2014 |website=BBC News |publisher=BBC}}</ref> |
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In February 2014, the ''[[Financial Times]]'' noted that Scotland's per capita GDP was bigger than that of France when a geographic share of oil and gas was taken into account, and still bigger than that of Italy when it was not.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2 February 2014 |title=Independence debate: Yes, Scotland? |url=http://www.ft.com/cms/s/2/5b5ec2ca-8a67-11e3-ba54-00144feab7de.html |access-date=18 February 2014 |newspaper=Financial Times}}</ref> As of April 2014, Scotland had a similar rate of unemployment to the UK average (6.6%)<ref>{{Cite web |date=11 June 2014 |title=Scottish unemployment total falls by 7,000 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-business-27793254 |access-date=11 June 2014 |website=BBC News |publisher=BBC}}</ref> and a lower fiscal deficit (including as a percentage of GDP).<ref>{{Cite web |date=May 2013 |title=Scotland's Economy: the case for independence |url=http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2013/05/4084/14 |access-date=2 September 2013 |publisher=Scottish Government}}</ref> Scotland performed better than the UK average in securing new Foreign Direct Investment in 2012–13 (measured by the number of projects), although not as well as [[Wales]] or [[Northern Ireland]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=24 July 2013 |title=Rise of 16% in Scottish inward investment projects |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-business-23431486 |access-date=2 September 2013 |website=BBC News |publisher=BBC}}</ref> GDP growth during 2013 was lower in Scotland than in the rest of the UK, although this was partly due to an industrial dispute at the [[Grangemouth Refinery]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=16 April 2014 |title=Growth in Scottish economy slows |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-business-27048036 |access-date=17 April 2014 |website=BBC News |publisher=BBC}}</ref> |
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[[Deutsche Bank]] issued a report in the week before the referendum in which David Folkerts-Landau, the bank's chief economist, concluded: 'While it may sound simple and costless for a nation to exit a 300-year-old union, nothing could be further from the truth'. Folkerts-Landau said the economic prospects after a 'yes' vote were 'incomprehensible', and cited [[Winston Churchill]]'s 1925 [[Monetary reform#Return to the gold standard|Gold Standard]] decision and the actions of America's [[Federal Reserve]] that triggered the [[Great Depression]] of the 1930s as mistakes of a similar magnitude. The Swiss financial services company [[UBS]] supported Deutsche Bank's position.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Johnson |first=Simon |date=13 September 2014 |title=Scotland heading for a 'Great Depression' after a Yes vote |work=The Telegraph |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/scottish-independence/11093574/Scotland-heading-for-a-Great-Depression-after-a-Yes-vote.html |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |access-date=13 September 2014 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/scottish-independence/11093574/Scotland-heading-for-a-Great-Depression-after-a-Yes-vote.html |archive-date=12 January 2022}}{{Cbignore}}</ref> |
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Supporters of independence said that Scotland had not realised its full economic potential because it was subject to the same economic policy as the rest of the UK.<ref name="prosperity">{{Cite news |date=3 January 2014 |title=Scottish independence 'will improve prosperity' |work=The Scotsman |url=http://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/top-stories/scottish-independence-will-improve-prosperity-1-3253393 |access-date=22 January 2014}}</ref><ref name="devolutionists">{{Cite web |date=8 January 2014 |title=Independence 'boost' for English devolutionists |url=http://thetarge.co.uk/article/current-affairs/0192/independence-boost-for-english-devolutionists |access-date=22 January 2014 |website=thetarge.co.uk}}</ref> In 2013, the Jimmy Reid Foundation published a report stating that UK economic policy had become 'overwhelmingly geared to helping London, meaning Scotland and other UK regions suffer from being denied the specific, local policies they need'.<ref>{{Cite news |date=1 June 2013 |title=London calling (the shots) |work=The Herald |url=http://www.heraldscotland.com/politics/referendum-news/london-calling-the-shots.21228380 |access-date=22 January 2014}}</ref> Later in January 2014, Colin Fox said that Scotland is 'penalised by an economic model biased towards the South East of England'.<ref name="prosperity" /> In November 2013, [[Chic Brodie (politician)|Chic Brodie]] said that Scotland was deprived of economic benefit in the 1980s after the Ministry of Defence blocked oil exploration off the West of Scotland, ostensibly to avoid interference with the UK's nuclear weapons arsenal.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Picken |first=Andrew |date=9 November 2013 |title=West coast oil boom was blocked by MoD |work=Sunday Post |publisher=DC Thomson |url=http://www.sundaypost.com/news-views/scotland/west-coast-oil-boom-was-blocked-by-mod-1.151449 |url-status=dead |access-date=15 April 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140125015823/http://www.sundaypost.com/news-views/scotland/west-coast-oil-boom-was-blocked-by-mod-1.151449 |archive-date=25 January 2014}}</ref> |
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==== Banking system ==== |
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The UK Treasury issued a report on 20 May 2013 which said that Scotland's banking systems would be too big to ensure depositor compensation in the event of a bank failure.<ref name="treasury" /> The report indicated that Scottish banks would have assets worth 1,254% of GDP, which was more than Cyprus and Iceland before the global financial crisis of the late 2000s.<ref name="treasury" /> It suggested Scottish taxpayers would each have £65,000 of potential liabilities during a hypothetical bailout in Scotland, versus £30,000 as part of the UK.<ref name="treasury">{{Cite news |date=20 May 2013 |title=U.K. Treasury Says Independent Scotland Couldn't Aid Banks |publisher=Bloomberg |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-05-18/u-k-treasury-says-banks-too-big-to-save-in-independent-scotland.html |access-date=23 May 2013}}</ref> Economists including Andrew Hughes Hallett, Professor of Economics at [[St Andrews University]], rejected the idea that Scotland would have to underwrite these liabilities alone. He observed that banks operating in more than one country can be given a joint bailout by multiple governments.<ref name="banks">{{Cite news |last1=Hughes Hallett |first1=Andrew |last2=Scott |first2=Drew |date=24 January 2012 |title=Scotland has thought the options through and counted the cost |work=Financial Times |url=http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/83024e5e-42d0-11e1-b756-00144feab49a.html |access-date=15 April 2014}}</ref> In this way, France, Belgium, and the Netherlands collectively bailed out Fortis Bank and the Dexia Bank.<ref name="banks" /> The American [[Federal Reserve System]] lent more than $1 trillion to British banks, including $446 billion to the [[Royal Bank of Scotland]] (RBS), because they had operations in the United States.<ref name="banks" /><ref>{{Cite news |date=2 December 2010 |title=RBS no longer in debt to US Federal Reserve |work=CFO World |publisher=IDG Inc |url=http://www.cfoworld.co.uk/news/change-management/3251623/rbs-no-longer-in-debt-to-us-federal-reserve |access-date=15 April 2014 |archive-date=4 November 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131104214551/http://www.cfoworld.co.uk/news/change-management/3251623/rbs-no-longer-in-debt-to-us-federal-reserve/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> |
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[[Robert Peston]] reported in March 2014 that RBS and [[Lloyds Banking Group]] might be forced to relocate their head offices from Edinburgh to London in case of Scottish independence, due to a European law brought in after the 1991 collapse of the [[Bank of Credit and Commerce International]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Peston |first=Robert |date=5 March 2014 |title=EU law may force RBS and Lloyds to become English |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-26455655 |access-date=15 April 2014 |website=BBC News |publisher=BBC}}</ref> Financial groups including RBS, [[Lloyds Banking Group|Lloyds]], [[Clydesdale Bank]], [[TSB Bank (United Kingdom)|TSB]], and [[Tesco Bank]] later announced that they planned to move their registered headquarters from Scotland to England if Scotland voted for independence, although most indicated that they had no immediate intention to transfer any jobs.<ref>{{Cite web |date=11 September 2014 |title=Scottish independence: RBS confirms London HQ move if Scotland votes Yes |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-29151798 |access-date=11 September 2014 |website=BBC News |publisher=BBC}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Titcomb |first=James |date=11 September 2014 |title=What banks are heading for the exit door if Scotland votes for independence? |work=The Daily Telegraph |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/banksandfinance/11089465/What-banks-are-heading-for-the-exit-door-if-Scotland-votes-for-independence.html |url-status=dead |access-date=11 September 2014 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20140911121949/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/banksandfinance/11089465/What-banks-are-heading-for-the-exit-door-if-Scotland-votes-for-independence.html |archive-date=11 September 2014}}</ref> |
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==== Currency ==== |
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Another major economic issue was the currency that an independent Scotland would use.<ref name="issue">{{Cite web |date=12 April 2012 |title=The case for Scottish independence |url=http://diplomatonline.com/mag/2012/04/the-case-for-scottish-independence |access-date=11 October 2012 |website=diplomatonline.com}}</ref> The principal options were to establish an independent Scottish currency, join the [[euro]], or retain the [[pound sterling]]<ref name="issue" /> (a form of [[currency substitution]]).<ref name="adamsm">{{Cite web |date=21 August 2014 |title=Scottish independence: Scotland should use pound, says Adam Smith Institute |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-28869991 |access-date=20 August 2014 |website=BBC News |publisher=BBC |quote=[A] new report, written by the research director of the Adam Smith Institute, Sam Bowman, argued that sterlingization – using the pound without the use of a central bank – would be 'a significant improvement on Scotland's current arrangements'.}}</ref> |
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Throughout the 1990s and early 2000s, the SNP's policy was that an independent Scotland should adopt the euro,<ref>{{Cite web |date=3 January 2002 |title=SNP Accuse Labour Over Euro |url=http://www.snp.org/media-centre/news/2002/jan/snp-accuse-labour-over-euro |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222033541/http://www.snp.org/media-centre/news/2002/jan/snp-accuse-labour-over-euro |archive-date=22 February 2014 |access-date=18 February 2014 |website=www.snp.org |publisher=Scottish National Party}}</ref> though this was relegated to a long-term rather than short-term goal by the party's 2009 conference.<ref>{{Cite web |date=16 October 2009 |title=SNP European divisions laid bare |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/8311435.stm |access-date=15 April 2014 |website=BBC News |publisher=BBC}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Johnson |first=Simon |date=19 October 2009 |title=SNP split over euro membership |work=The Daily Telegraph |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/scotland/6376900/SNP-split-over-euro-membership.html |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |access-date=22 January 2014 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/scotland/6376900/SNP-split-over-euro-membership.html |archive-date=12 January 2022}}{{Cbignore}}</ref> There was disagreement over whether Scotland would be required to join the euro if it became an EU member state in its own right. All new members are required to commit to joining the single currency, but they must first be party to [[ERM II]] for two years. The Scottish government argued that this was a ''de facto'' opt-out from the euro, because EU member states are not obliged to join ERM II.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Scotland in the European Union |url=http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2013/11/5894/15 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140101093733/http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2013/11/5894/15 |archive-date=1 January 2014 |access-date=31 December 2013 |publisher=Scottish Government}}</ref> For example, the people of [[Sweden and the euro|Sweden rejected adopting the euro]] in a [[2003 Swedish euro referendum|2003 referendum]]<ref>{{Cite web |date=15 September 2003 |title=Sweden says No to euro |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/3108292.stm |access-date=24 March 2014 |website=BBC News |publisher=BBC}}</ref> and its government subsequently refused to enter ERM II.<ref>{{Cite web |title=EU central bank agreement on ERM II operating procedures |url=http://www.riksbank.se/en/Press-and-published/Press-Releases/1998/EU-central-bank-agreement-on-ERM-II-operating-procedures |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140416183849/http://www.riksbank.se/en/Press-and-published/Press-Releases/1998/EU-central-bank-agreement-on-ERM-II-operating-procedures |archive-date=16 April 2014 |access-date=24 March 2014 |publisher=Sveriges Riksbank}}</ref> |
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The SNP favoured continued use of sterling in an independent Scotland through a formal currency union with the UK, with the [[Bank of England]] setting its interest rates and monetary policy and acting as its central bank.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Watt |first1=Nicholas |last2=Carrell |first2=Severin |date=26 November 2013 |title=Scotland could refuse to accept UK liabilities if currency union is blocked |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2013/nov/26/scotland-share-uk-liabilities-currency-union-independence |access-date=22 January 2014 |website=theguardian.com}}</ref> The white paper ''Scotland's Future'' identified five key reasons that a currency union 'would be in both Scotland and the UK's interests immediately post-independence': Scotland's main trading partner is the UK (two-thirds of exports in 2011); 'companies operating in Scotland and the UK [...have] complex cross-border supply chains'; there is high labour mobility; 'on key measurements of an optimal currency area, the Scottish and UK economies score well'; and short-term economic trends in the UK and Scotland have 'a relatively high degree of synchronicity'.<ref name="white paper" /> |
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In June 2012, [[Alistair Darling]] said voters in the rest of the UK could choose not to be in a currency union with Scotland.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Carrell |first=Severin |date=19 June 2012 |title=Scottish independence: Alistair Darling challenges plans for currency union |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2012/jun/19/scottish-independence-alistair-darling-currency |access-date=11 October 2012}}</ref><ref name="darling">{{Cite news |last=Meikle |first=James |date=25 June 2012 |title=Scottish independence: Darling ridicules Salmond's claims |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2012/jun/25/scottish-independence-darling-ridicules-salmond |access-date=11 October 2012}}</ref> Former Prime Minister Sir [[John Major]] rejected the idea of a currency union, saying it would require the UK to underwrite Scottish debt.<ref>{{Cite web |date=28 November 2013 |title=Scottish independence: Former prime minister John Major gives warning |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-25145961 |access-date=31 January 2014 |website=BBC News |publisher=BBC}}</ref> Former Prime Minister [[Gordon Brown]] said the SNP proposal would create a 'colonial relationship' between Scotland and Westminster.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Brown |first=Gordon |date=23 November 2013 |title=Gordon Brown writes exclusively for the Daily Record on why Salmond's economic plans are destined to make Scotland less independent |work=Daily Record |url=http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/politics/gordon-brown-writes-exclusively-daily-2841667 |access-date=12 June 2014}}</ref> Welsh First Minister [[Carwyn Jones]] said in November 2013 that he would seek a veto on a currency union between Scotland and the rest of the UK.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Carrell |first=Severin |date=21 November 2013 |title=Welsh first minister sets out case against Scottish independence |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2013/nov/21/welsh-first-minister-scottish-independence}}</ref> |
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Yes Scotland said that a currency union would benefit both Scotland and the rest of the UK, as Scotland's exports would boost the [[balance of payments]], and consequently strengthen the exchange rate of sterling.<ref>{{Cite web |date=23 April 2013 |title=Question on Currency |url=http://www.yesscotland.net/questions_on_currency |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130427001109/http://www.yesscotland.net/questions_on_currency |archive-date=27 April 2013 |access-date=25 April 2013 |publisher=Yes Scotland}}</ref> Meanwhile, UK economists and financial experts said the effect on the balance of payments and the exchange rate would be 'largely neutral'.<ref>{{Cite web |date=3 September 2013 |title=Could an Independent Scotland keep Sterling? What experts say |url=http://scotspolitics.com/independence/could-an-independent-scotland-keep-sterling-what-the-experts-say |access-date=31 January 2014 |website=scotspolitics.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Ashcroft |first=Brian |date=26 April 2013 |title=Sterling and Scottish Independence |url=http://www.scottisheconomywatch.com/brian-ashcrofts-scottish/2013/04/sterling-and-scottish-independence.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140703052127/http://www.scottisheconomywatch.com/brian-ashcrofts-scottish/2013/04/sterling-and-scottish-independence.html |archive-date=3 July 2014 |access-date=12 June 2014 |publisher=Scottish Economy Watch}}</ref> Sterling fell by almost one cent against the US dollar in a day early in September 2014, due to an opinion poll showing a swing towards the Yes campaign.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Scottish independence uncertainty drags sterling to five-month lows |work=Reuters |url=http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-markets-uk-scotland-idUKKBN0GX1SU20140902?type=GCA-ForeignExchange |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160307095842/http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-markets-uk-scotland-idUKKBN0GX1SU20140902?type=GCA-ForeignExchange |url-status=dead |archive-date=7 March 2016 |access-date=9 September 2014}}</ref> The ''Financial Times'' reported a few days later that 'Asset managers, investors and pension savers are moving billions of pounds out of Scotland' because of fears that Scotland would leave the UK.<ref name="money">{{Cite news |last1=Gray |first1=Alistair |last2=Cumbo |first2=Josephine |last3=Arnold |first3=Martin |date=9 September 2014 |title=Investors pull cash ahead of Scots vote |work=Financial Times |url=http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/c43c9a14-3846-11e4-9fc2-00144feabdc0.html#axzz3CoIKQD2C |access-date=10 September 2014}}</ref> The newspaper also reported that '"exit clauses" are being inserted into commercial property contracts in Scotland to allow buyers to scrap deals or renegotiate prices if voters opt for independence'.<ref name="money" /> |
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The Scottish government said that having no currency union could cost businesses in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland £500 million in transaction charges when trading with an independent Scotland;<ref>{{Cite web |date=17 February 2014 |title=Salmond warns: the 'George Tax' would cost English business hundreds of millions |url=http://www.heraldscotland.com/politics/referendum-news/salmond-sticks-to-plan-a-the-pound-is-scotlands-too.1392620409 |access-date=18 February 2014 |newspaper=The Herald}}</ref><ref name="Wales" /> Plaid Cymru treasury spokesperson Jonathan Edwards said that such costs were a 'threat to Welsh business'.<ref name="Wales">{{Cite web |date=18 February 2014 |title=SNP warns UK businesses could face £500m in transaction costs unless an independent Scotland keeps pound |url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/snp-warns-uk-businesses-could-6719298 |access-date=18 February 2014 |website=Wales Online}}</ref> [[Scottish Labour]] leader [[Johann Lamont]] said that any additional transaction costs would fall largely on Scottish companies, costing businesses in Scotland 11 times more than those in England.<ref name="transaction cost">{{Cite news |title=Independence 'would cost Scottish businesses more than their English competitors' |work=Telegraph |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/10240776/Independence-would-cost-Scottish-businesses-more-than-their-English-competitors.html |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |access-date=12 June 2014 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/10240776/Independence-would-cost-Scottish-businesses-more-than-their-English-competitors.html |archive-date=12 January 2022}}{{Cbignore}}</ref> The [[Institute of Directors]] said that any new transaction costs would 'pale in comparison to the financial danger of entering an unstable currency union'.<ref name="transaction cost" /> |
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Banking experts said that being the 'junior partner' in a currency arrangement could amount to 'a loss of fiscal autonomy for Scotland' if policy constraints were imposed on the Scottish state.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2 April 2013 |title=Scottish independence: Banking experts say 'go for Scottish pound' |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-22006400 |access-date=20 July 2013 |website=BBC News |publisher=BBC}}</ref> Angus Armstrong of the [[National Institute of Economic and Social Research]] wrote that the implicit constraints on its economic policy would be more restrictive than the explicit ones it faced as part of the UK.<ref>{{Cite web |date=3 February 2012 |title=Independent money matters |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-16865110 |access-date=31 January 2014 |website=BBC News |publisher=BBC}}</ref> Salmond said in February 2014 that an independent Scotland in a currency union would retain tax and spending powers.<ref>{{Cite web |date=1 February 2014 |title=Salmond stands firm on tax and spending powers |url=http://www.heraldscotland.com/politics/referendum-news/salmond-stands-firm-on-tax-and-spending-powers.23326332 |access-date=18 February 2014 |newspaper=The Herald}}</ref> Gavin McCrone, former chief economic adviser to the Scottish Office, said that Scotland's retention of the pound would be pragmatic initially, but problematic thereafter if a Scottish government wished to implement independent policies, and warned that keeping the pound could lead to the relocation of Scottish banks to London.<ref name="McCrone">{{Cite web |date=20 July 2013 |title=Gavin McCrone: indy would be costly...but No vote will mean no more devo |url=http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/home-news/gavin-mccrone-indy-would-be-costlybut-no-vote-will-mean-no-more-devo.1374326058 |access-date=20 July 2013 |newspaper=The Herald}}</ref> |
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The UK [[Chancellor of the Exchequer|Chancellor]] [[George Osborne]], as well as equivalent post-holders in the two other main UK political parties, rejected the idea of a formal currency union with an independent Scotland in February 2014.<ref>{{Cite web |date=13 February 2014 |title=Scottish Independence: 'Yes' Vote Means Leaving Pound, Says Osborne |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-26166794 |access-date=30 May 2014 |website=BBC News |publisher=BBC}}</ref> Shadow Chancellor [[Ed Balls]] said the SNP's proposals for a currency union were 'economically incoherent'<ref>{{Cite news |date=4 October 2013 |title=Scottish independence: Balls 'not bluffing' on currency |work=The Scotsman |publisher=Johnston Press |url=http://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/top-stories/scottish-independence-balls-not-bluffing-on-currency-1-3127292 |access-date=31 January 2014}}</ref> and that any currency option for an independent Scotland would be 'less advantageous than what we have across the UK today'.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Carrell |first=Severin |date=3 October 2013 |title=Ed Balls: Alex Salmond's sterling currency union plans flawed |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2013/oct/03/ed-balls-alex-salmond-sterling-union}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=20 January 2014 |title=Balls to Salmond: let's discuss indyref finance issues |work=The Herald |url=http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/home-news/ed-balls-calls-for-meeting-with-alex-salmond-to-discuss-indyref.1390231407 |access-date=22 January 2014}}</ref> After the three main UK political parties ruled out a formal currency union, the [[Adam Smith Institute]] said that the economies of Panama, Ecuador, and El Salvador 'demonstrate that the informal use of another country's currency can foster a healthy financial system and economy'.<ref name="adamsm" /> In September 2014, former European Commissioner [[Olli Rehn]] said that an independent Scotland would be unable to meet EU membership requirements if it shared sterling informally, as it would not have an independent central bank.<ref name="rehn">{{Cite web |date=3 September 2014 |title=Scottish independence: Sterlingisation 'would threaten EU membership' |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-29043878 |access-date=3 September 2014 |website=BBC News |publisher=BBC}}</ref> Salmond disputed this, restating his belief that a sterling currency union would be formed and pledging to create the necessary financial institutions.<ref name="rehn" /> |
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The Scottish Socialist Party favoured an independent Scottish currency, pegged to sterling in the short term.<ref>{{Cite web |title=What currency? |url=http://www.scottishsocialistparty.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/A5-Scottish-Currency.pdf |access-date=18 February 2014 |publisher=Scottish Socialist Party}}</ref> The Scottish Green Party said that keeping sterling as 'a short term transitional arrangement' should not be ruled out, but also that the Scottish Government should 'keep an open mind about moving towards an independent currency'.<ref>{{Cite web |date=23 April 2013 |title=Greens attack phoney war on currency |url=http://www.patrickharviemsp.com/2013/04/phoneywar |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130526070126/http://www.patrickharviemsp.com/2013/04/phoneywar |archive-date=26 May 2013 |access-date=22 January 2014 |publisher=Patrick Harvie}}</ref> In early 2013, the [[Jimmy Reid Foundation]] described retention of the pound as a good transitional arrangement, but recommended the eventual establishment of an independent Scottish currency to 'insulate' Scotland from the UK's 'economic instability'.<ref>{{Cite news |date=16 April 2013 |title=Scotland 'must have own currency after Yes vote |work=The Herald |url=http://www.heraldscotland.com/politics/referendum-news/scotland-must-have-own-currency-after-yes-vote.20811822 |access-date=23 April 2013}}</ref> Other proponents of an independent Scottish currency included Yes Scotland chairman [[Dennis Canavan]] and former SNP deputy leader [[Jim Sillars]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=30 January 2014 |title=Governor's notes on currency union |work=The Herald |url=http://www.heraldscotland.com/comment/herald-view/governors-notes-on-currency-union.23293602 |access-date=18 February 2014}}</ref> |
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On 9 September 2014, [[Mark Carney]], governor of the Bank of England, said that a currency union between an independent Scotland and the remainder of the UK would be 'incompatible with sovereignty'. He added that cross-border ties on tax, spending and banking rules are a prerequisite: 'You only have to look across the continent to look at what happens if you don't have those components in place ... You need tax, revenues and spending flowing across those borders to help equalise, to an extent, some of the inevitable differences [across the union].'<ref name="Car">{{Cite news |last1=Inman |first1=Phillip |last2=Wintour |first2=Patrick |date=9 September 2014 |title=Scottish independence: currency union 'incompatible with sovereignty' |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2014/sep/09/currency-union-independent-scotland-unworkable-bank-governor |access-date=11 September 2014}}</ref> A spokesperson for the SNP's finance minister said: 'successful independent countries such as France, Germany, Finland and Austria all share a currency – and they are in charge of 100% of their tax revenues, as an independent Scotland would be. At present under devolution, Scotland controls only 7% of our revenues.'<ref name="Car" /> Carney's comments received vocal support from Darling and the [[GMB (trade union)|GMB]] trade union.<ref name="Car" /> |
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==== Government revenues and expenditure ==== |
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[[File:John Swinney Budget Statement.png|thumb|right|[[Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government|Cabinet Secretary for Finance]], Employment and Sustainable Growth [[John Swinney]] delivering the draft [[Scottish budget]], September 2012]] |
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The [[Barnett formula]], introduced in the late 1970s, had resulted in higher per-capita public spending in Scotland than England.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Maddox |first=David |date=18 December 2013 |title=Barnett Formula 'would remain' after No vote |work=The Scotsman |url=http://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/top-stories/barnett-formula-would-remain-after-no-vote-1-3238320 |access-date=10 January 2014}}</ref> If an allocation of [[North Sea oil]] revenue based on geography was included, Scotland also produced more per capita tax revenue than the UK average in the years immediately preceding the referendum.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Flanders |first=Stephanie |date=9 January 2012 |title=Scotland: A case of give and take |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-16477990 |access-date=6 May 2013 |website=BBC News |publisher=BBC}}</ref><ref name="oil revenue" /> The [[Institute for Fiscal Studies]] reported in November 2012 that a geographic share of North Sea oil would more than cover the higher public spending, but warned that oil prices are volatile and that they are drawn from a finite resource.<ref name="oil revenue">{{Cite news |last=Sparrow |first=Andrew |date=19 November 2012 |title=Scotland's post-independence prosperity linked to oil |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2012/nov/19/scotland-independence-oil |access-date=6 May 2013}}</ref> The [[Government Expenditure and Revenue Scotland]] report for 2012/13 found that North Sea oil revenue had fallen by 41.5% and that Scotland's public spending deficit had increased from £4.6 billion to £8.6 billion.<ref>{{Cite web |date=12 March 2014 |title=Scottish public spending deficit rises, say latest Gers figures |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-26541575 |access-date=12 March 2014 |website=BBC News |publisher=BBC}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=12 March 2014 |title=Tax and spend: What are experts saying about Scottish figures? |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-26550389 |access-date=12 March 2014 |website=BBC News |publisher=BBC}}</ref> |
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In May 2014, the UK government published an analysis identifying a '[[Union dividend]]' of £1,400 per year for each person in Scotland, mainly due to the higher level of public spending.<ref name="dividend">{{Cite web |date=28 May 2014 |title=Scottish independence: Rivals both say Scots 'better off with us' |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-27595415 |access-date=29 May 2014 |website=BBC News |publisher=BBC}}</ref> The Scottish government disputed this analysis, saying that each Scot would be £1,000 better off per year under independence by 2030.<ref name="dividend" /> Three economic experts said that both estimates were possible, but they depended on unknown variables such as the division of UK government debt, future North Sea oil revenues, possible spending commitments of an independent Scotland and future productivity gains.<ref>{{Cite web |date=28 May 2014 |title=Asking the experts: What are economists saying about indyref figures? |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-27608272 |access-date=29 May 2014 |website=BBC News |publisher=BBC}}</ref> |
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In its analysis, the UK government also estimated setup costs of £1.5 billion (1% of GDP) for establishing an independent state, or possibly £2.7 billion (180 public bodies costing £15 million each).<ref>{{Cite web |date=26 May 2014 |title=Scottish independence: Row over start-up costs |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-27557547 |access-date=29 May 2014 |website=BBC News |publisher=BBC}}</ref><ref name="call to release" /> Patrick Dunleavy of the [[London School of Economics]] criticised the UK government's 'ludicrous' use of his research in arriving at the latter figure.<ref name="call to release">{{Cite web |date=29 May 2014 |title=Scottish independence: Call to release post-'Yes' costs |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-27623105 |access-date=29 May 2014 |website=BBC News |publisher=BBC}}</ref> The Treasury said that their main figure (£1.5 billion) was based on estimates by Robert Young of [[University of Western Ontario|Western University]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=28 May 2014 |title=Scottish independence: Prof Patrick Dunleavy says Treasury claims 'ludicrous' |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-27611563 |access-date=12 June 2014 |website=BBC News |publisher=BBC}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Scottish independence: Treasury figure for cost of Yes vote 'badly misrepresents' key research – says academic whose own work it was based on |work=The Independent |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/scottish-independence-treasury-figure-for-cost-of-yes-vote-badly-misrepresents-key-research--says-academic-whose-own-work-it-was-based-on-9443603.html |url-status=dead |access-date=9 September 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140529054103/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/scottish-independence-treasury-figure-for-cost-of-yes-vote-badly-misrepresents-key-research--says-academic-whose-own-work-it-was-based-on-9443603.html |archive-date=29 May 2014}}</ref> Two of the main unionist parties in Scotland called on the SNP to publish their own estimate of the setup costs of an independent state,<ref name="call to release" /> but the Scottish government said that an estimate was not possible as the final bill would depend on negotiations with the rest of the UK.<ref>{{Cite news |date=30 May 2014 |title=Voters will not be told cost of Yes vote before referendum |work=The Herald |url=http://www.heraldscotland.com/politics/referendum-news/voters-will-not-be-told-cost-of-yes-vote-before-referendum.24361774 |access-date=4 June 2014}}</ref> Dunleavy estimated immediate setup costs of £200 million in a report commissioned by ''[[The Sunday Post]]'',<ref>{{Cite web |date=22 June 2014 |title=Scottish independence: Prof Patrick Dunleavy makes £200m start-up claim |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-27962983 |access-date=22 June 2014 |website=BBC News |publisher=BBC}}</ref> with 'total transition costs' of between £600 million and £1,500 million in the first 10 years of independence.<ref>{{Cite web |date=27 June 2014 |title=Scottish independence: Start-up cost 'up to £1.5bn' |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-28053028 |access-date=27 June 2014 |website=BBC News |publisher=BBC}}</ref> |
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The [[credit rating]] that an independent Scotland would merit also became a subject of debate.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Barnes |first=Eddie |date=22 April 2013 |title=Scottish independence: SNP pound freedom warning |work=The Scotsman |url=http://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/top-stories/scottish-independence-snp-pound-freedom-warning-1-2904279 |url-status=live |access-date=30 September 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170930104922/http://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/scottish-independence-snp-pound-freedom-warning-1-2904279 |archive-date=30 September 2017}}</ref><ref name="credit">{{Cite web |last=Fraser |first=Douglas |date=19 October 2012 |title=Scottish independence: credit where it's due |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-20009301 |access-date=19 October 2012 |website=BBC News |publisher=BBC}}</ref> The credit-rating agency [[Fitch Ratings|Fitch]] said in 2012 that it could not give an opinion on what rating Scotland would have, because Scottish finances would largely depend on the result of negotiations between the UK and Scotland and specifically the division of UK assets and liabilities.<ref name="credit" /> [[Standard & Poor's]], another credit-rating agency, asserted in February 2014 that Scotland would face 'significant, but not unsurpassable' challenges, and that 'even excluding North Sea output and calculating per capita GDP only by looking at onshore income, Scotland would qualify for our highest economic assessment'.<ref>{{Cite web |date=27 February 2014 |title=Credit ratings agency outlines 'significant' challenges for independence |url=http://news.stv.tv/politics/265694-standard-poors-independence-means-significant-challenges-for-scotland |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140316135501/http://news.stv.tv/politics/265694-standard-poors-independence-means-significant-challenges-for-scotland |archive-date=16 March 2014 |access-date=13 March 2014 |publisher=STV}}</ref> Research published by [[Moody's]] in May 2014 said that an independent Scotland would be given an A rating, comparable with Poland, the Czech Republic and Mexico.<ref name="Moody's" /> An A rating would have been two grades below its then rating for the UK, which Moody's said would be unaffected by Scottish independence.<ref name="Moody's">{{Cite web |date=1 May 2014 |title=Scottish independence: Moody's predicts Scotland would get an 'A' credit rating |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-27247870 |access-date=1 May 2014 |website=BBC News |publisher=BBC}}</ref> |
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=== Energy === |
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==== Energy market ==== |
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[[File:North Sea oil rig.jpg|thumb|right|An [[Oil platform|oil rig]] in the [[North Sea]], oil production is centred in the waters off the Scottish northeast coast]] |
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The UK government controlled most energy issues,<ref name="energy">{{Cite web |date=30 April 2014 |title=Scotland's referendum: What are the issues around energy? |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-27118399 |access-date=11 May 2014 |website=BBC News |publisher=BBC}}</ref> although control over planning laws had allowed the Scottish government to prevent the construction of new nuclear power stations in Scotland.<ref name="energy" /> Supporters of independence wanted to retain a single energy market for the whole of Great Britain after independence, to maintain price stability and support for suppliers.<ref name="energy" /> Opponents said that independence would threaten that single energy market.<ref name="energy" /> Euan Phimister, professor of economics at Aberdeen University, said that although independence would affect the relationship, it was likely that there would be continued English demand for electricity generated in Scotland due to the lack of spare capacity elsewhere.<ref name="energy claims" /><ref>{{Cite web |date=7 April 2014 |title=Scottish independence: UK 'faces energy blackout risk' |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-26924027 |access-date=11 May 2014 |website=BBC News |publisher=BBC}}</ref> The second largest supplier of energy in the UK, [[SSE plc]], believed that a single market would be the most likely outcome under independence, although it would require negotiations that may have led to changes to the existing system.<ref>{{Cite web |date=26 March 2014 |title=Scottish independence: SSE says single energy market 'likely' post Yes |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-26750110 |access-date=11 May 2014 |website=BBC News |publisher=BBC}}</ref> |
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Labour MP [[Caroline Flint]] said that independence would mean higher energy bills in Scotland, as its customers would have to pay more to support [[renewable energy in Scotland]], which represented one-third of the UK total.<ref name="energy claims">{{Cite web |last=Taylor |first=Marianne |date=5 February 2014 |title=Scottish independence: Energy market claims analysed |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-26054455 |access-date=11 May 2014 |website=BBC News |publisher=BBC}}</ref> Euan Phimister said that bills were likely to increase across the whole of Great Britain because renewable schemes and new nuclear power stations in England were receiving higher subsidies than the power plants which were due for closure due to environmental regulations.<ref name="energy claims" /> He also said that there was a distinction between existing and proposed renewable schemes in that the existing schemes had already been paid for, whereas any new construction required the promise of subsidy from the consumer.<ref name="energy claims" /> Energy and Climate Change Secretary [[Ed Davey]] said Scottish generators would no longer be eligible for UK subsidies, which would increase energy bills for consumers.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Carrell |first=Severin |date=9 April 2014 |title=Ed Davey says an independent Scotland must fund its own energy projects |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2014/apr/09/ed-davey-independent-scotland-fund-energy-alex-salmond |access-date=26 August 2014}}</ref> |
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==== North Sea oil ==== |
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Approximately 90% of the United Kingdom's [[North Sea oil]] fields were located in [[Scottish territorial waters]]. The tax revenue generated from an offshore site was not counted within the nation or region nearest to it, but was instead allocated to the [[UK Continental Shelf]]. The revenue from North Sea oil was used to support current expenditure, and the UK did not create a [[sovereign oil fund]] (as in Norway).<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mitchell |first=Adam |date=17 April 2013 |title=Oil wealth key to Thatcher's legacy, analysts say |url=http://www.france24.com/en/20130417-north-sea-oil-tax-boon-for-margaret-thatcher |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161128091241/http://www.france24.com/en/20130417-north-sea-oil-tax-boon-for-margaret-thatcher |archive-date=28 November 2016 |access-date=11 May 2014 |website=www.france24.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Jack |first=Ian |date=19 April 2013 |title=North Sea oil fuelled the 80s boom, but it was, and remains, strangely invisible |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/apr/19/north-sea-oil-80s-boom |access-date=11 May 2014}}</ref> The SNP believed that a portion of the revenues should have been invested in a sovereign oil fund. The Scottish government, citing industry body Oil and Gas UK, estimated in ''Scotland's Future'' that there were 24 billion [[barrels of oil equivalent]] still to be extracted.<ref name="wood">{{Cite web |date=20 August 2014 |title=Scottish independence: Sir Ian Wood issues warning over oil predictions |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-28867487 |access-date=20 August 2014 |website=BBC News |publisher=BBC}}</ref> [[Sir Ian Wood]], founder of oil services company [[Wood Group]], said in August 2014 that he believed there were between 15 and 16.5 billion boe and that the impact from declining production would be felt by 2030.<ref name="wood" /> In September 2014, an investigation by industry recruitment website ''Oil and Gas People'' found that there were extensive oil reserves to the west of the [[Western Isles]] and [[Shetland]].<ref name="oil and gas" /> The report anticipated that the region would be developed within the next 10 years because of improvements in drilling technology, rig design and surveying.<ref name="oil and gas">{{Cite web |date=3 September 2014 |title=Scottish West Coast untapped oil and gas reserves worth trillions |url=http://www.oilandgaspeople.com/news/1039/scottish-west-coast-untapped-oil-and-gas-reserves-worth-trillions |access-date=3 September 2014 |publisher=www.oilandgaspeople.com}}</ref> |
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=== European Union === |
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[[File:EU28-2013 European Union map.svg|thumb|Map of the European Union at the time of the referendum, member states are shown in dark blue]] |
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{{See also|Future enlargement of the European Union#Possible future scenarios}} |
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The SNP advocated that an independent Scotland should become a full member state of the European Union (EU) with some exemptions, such as not having to adopt the euro. There was debate over whether Scotland would be required to reapply for membership and whether it could retain the UK's opt-outs.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Carrell |first=Severin |date=23 October 2012 |title=Alex Salmond accused of misleading Scottish voters about EU legal advice |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2012/oct/23/alex-salmond-eu-legal-advice-scotland}}</ref><ref name="autogenerated1">Edward, David, "Scotland's Position in the European Union", ''Scottish Parliamentary Review'', Vol. I, No. 2 (Jan 2014) [Edinburgh: Blacket Avenue Press]</ref> The European Commission (EC) offered to provide an opinion to an existing member state on the matter, but the UK government confirmed it would not seek this advice, as it did not want to negotiate the terms of independence in advance of the referendum.<ref>{{Cite web |date=1 November 2012 |title=Scottish independence: UK ministers not seeking advice on Scotland in EU |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-20164826 |access-date=1 November 2012 |website=BBC News |publisher=BBC}}</ref> |
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There was no precedent for an EU member state dividing into two sovereign countries after joining the EU.<ref name="precedent">{{Cite web |date=24 September 2012 |title=HC 643 The foreign policy implications of and for a separate Scotland |url=https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201213/cmselect/cmfaff/writev/643/m05.htm |access-date=24 April 2014 |website=publications.parliament.uk}}</ref> Supporters of independence stated that an independent Scotland would become an EU member by treaty amendment under Article 48 of the EU treaties. Opponents said that this would not be possible and that an independent Scotland would need to apply for EU membership under Article 49, which would require ratification by each member state.<ref name="bbc">{{Cite web |last=Currie |first=Martin |date=29 April 2014 |title=Scottish independence: Would Scotland be in the EU after a Yes vote? |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-26173004 |access-date=29 April 2014 |website=BBC News |publisher=BBC}}</ref> |
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In March 2014, [[Christina McKelvie]], Convener of the European and External Relations [[Committee of the Scottish Parliament]], asked [[Viviane Reding]], Vice-President of the European Commission, whether Article 48 would apply.<ref>{{Cite web |date=10 March 2014 |title=European and External Relations Committee |url=http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/S4_EuropeanandExternalRelationsCommittee/Inquiries/20140310_Convener_to_Vivianne_Reding_European_Commission.pdf |access-date=1 May 2014 |publisher=Scottish Parliament}}</ref> Reding replied that EU treaties would no longer apply to a territory that secedes from a member state.<ref name="reding" /> She also said that Article 49 would be the route to apply to become a member of the EU.<ref name="reding">{{Cite web |date=20 March 2014 |title=Letter from Viviane Reding |url=http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/S4_EuropeanandExternalRelationsCommittee/Inquiries/Letter_from_Viviane_Reding_Vice_President_of_the_European_Commission_dated_20_March_2014__pdf.pdf |access-date=30 April 2014 |publisher=Scottish Parliament}}</ref> [[José Manuel Barroso]], [[president of the European Commission]], said earlier that an independent Scotland would have to apply for EU membership, while the rest of the UK would continue to be a member.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Carrell |first=Severin |date=12 September 2012 |title=Barroso casts doubt on independent Scotland's EU membership rights |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2012/sep/12/barroso-doubt-scotland-eu-membership}}</ref> In 2014, he reiterated that for Scotland to join the EU would be 'extremely difficult, if not impossible'.<ref>{{Cite web |date=16 February 2014 |title=Scottish independence: Barroso says joining EU would be 'difficult' |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-26215963 |access-date=29 May 2014 |website=BBC News |publisher=BBC}}</ref> |
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Former prime minister Sir [[John Major]] suggested in November 2013 that Scotland would need to reapply for EU membership, but that this would mean overcoming opposition to separatism among other member states.<ref name="major">{{Cite news |last=Johnson |first=Simon |date=28 November 2013 |title=Sir John Major: Scottish independence means 'walking away' from the pound |work=Daily Telegraph |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/10482145/Sir-John-Major-Scottish-independence-means-walking-away-from-the-pound.html |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/10482145/Sir-John-Major-Scottish-independence-means-walking-away-from-the-pound.html |archive-date=12 January 2022}}{{Cbignore}}</ref> The ''Independent'' reported that Spain could block Scottish membership of the EU, amid fears of repercussions with separatist movements in [[Catalonia]] and the [[Basque Country (autonomous community)|Basque Country]]:<ref>{{Cite news |last=Brady |first=Brian |date=22 January 2012 |title=Spain could wield veto over Scotland's EU membership |work=The Independent |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/spain-could-wield-veto-over-scotlands-eu-membership-6292846.html |url-access=subscription |access-date=11 October 2012 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220501/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/spain-could-wield-veto-over-scotlands-eu-membership-6292846.html |archive-date=1 May 2022}}{{Cbignore}}</ref> in November 2013 Spanish Prime Minister [[Mariano Rajoy]] said: 'I know for sure that a region that would separate from a member state of the European Union would remain outside the European Union and that should be known by the Scots and the rest of the European citizens.'<ref name="Rajoy EU">{{Cite web |date=28 November 2013 |title=Scottish independence: Mariano Rajoy says Scotland would be 'outside EU' |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-25132026 |access-date=28 November 2013 |website=BBC News |publisher=BBC}}</ref> He also said that an independent Scotland would become a 'third country' outside the EU and would require the consent of all 28 EU states to rejoin the EU, but that he would not seek to block its entry.<ref name="Rajoy EU" /> Salmond cited a letter from Mario Tenreiro of the EC's secretariat general that said it would be legally possible to renegotiate the situation of the UK and Scotland within the EU by unanimous agreement of all member states.<ref name="guardianeurajoy">{{Cite news |date=28 November 2013 |title=Independent Scotland should stay in EU, says judicial expert |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2013/nov/28/independent-scotland-eu-judicial-expert-alex-salmond |access-date=28 November 2013}}</ref> Spain's European Affairs minister reiterated their position two days before the referendum.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Johnson |first=Simon |date=16 September 2014 |title=Spanish warn independent Scotland would get euro not pound |work=Daily Telegraph |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/scottish-independence/11099167/Spanish-warn-independent-Scotland-would-get-euro-not-pound.html |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/scottish-independence/11099167/Spanish-warn-independent-Scotland-would-get-euro-not-pound.html |archive-date=12 January 2022}}{{Cbignore}}</ref> |
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Sir David Edward, a former European Court judge, said that the EU institutions and member states would be 'obliged' to start negotiations before independence took effect to decide the future relationship.<ref name="edward" /> He said this would be achieved by agreed amendment of the existing Treaties (Article 48), rather than a new Accession Treaty (Article 49).<ref name="autogenerated1" /><ref name="edward">{{Cite web |date=17 December 2012 |title=Scottish independence: Sir David Edward says Jose Manuel Barroso 'wrong' on EU |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-20757450 |access-date=20 July 2013 |website=BBC News |publisher=BBC}}</ref> Graham Avery, the EC's honorary director-general, agreed with Edward.<ref>{{Cite web |date=30 January 2014 |title=Scottish independence: Scotland could join EU in 18 months, says expert |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-25965703 |access-date=29 May 2014 |website=BBC News |publisher=BBC}}</ref> Avery wrote a report, published by the European Policy Centre, which said that EU leaders would probably allow Scotland to be part of the EU because of the legal and practical difficulties that would arise from excluding it.<ref>{{Cite web |date=29 May 2014 |title=Scottish independence: Think tank report backs EU membership |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-27623271 |access-date=29 May 2014 |website=BBC News |publisher=BBC}}</ref> In a research paper, Professor Sionaidh Douglas-Scott of Oxford University wrote that the EU law normally takes a 'pragmatic and purposive approach' to issues not already provided for by existing treaties.<ref>{{Cite web |date=7 July 2014 |title=Scottish independence: Academic says EU entry 'would be smooth' |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-28197298 |access-date=7 July 2014 |website=BBC News |publisher=BBC}}</ref> Research published by the Economic and Social Research Council in August 2014 concluded that it was unlikely that an independent Scotland would be cut off from the rights and obligations of EU membership for any period of time, even if Scotland was not formally a member state of the EU from its date of independence.<ref>{{Cite news |date=20 August 2014 |title=Scotland's European Union membership 'not in doubt' claims study |work=STV News |publisher=STV |url=http://news.stv.tv/scotland-decides/news/289096-scotlands-european-union-membership-not-in-doubt-claims-esrc |url-status=dead |access-date=21 August 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140821103958/http://news.stv.tv/scotland-decides/news/289096-scotlands-european-union-membership-not-in-doubt-claims-esrc |archive-date=21 August 2014}}</ref> |
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In January 2013, the Republic of Ireland's [[Minister of State for European Affairs|Minister of European Affairs]], [[Lucinda Creighton]], said that if Scotland were to become independent, it 'would have to apply for membership and that can be a lengthy process'.<ref>{{Cite web |date=25 January 2013 |title=Scottish independence: Irish minister says EU application 'would take time' |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-21195630 |website=BBC News |publisher=BBC}}</ref> She later clarified those remarks, writing that she 'certainly did not at any stage suggest that Scotland could, should or would be thrown out of the EU'.<ref>{{Cite web |date=26 January 2013 |title=Ireland's Minister for European Affairs |url=http://www.scotreferendum.com/2013/01/26/irelands-minister-for-european-affairs |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130414122321/http://www.scotreferendum.com/2013/01/26/irelands-minister-for-european-affairs |archive-date=14 April 2013 |access-date=3 February 2013 |website=www.scotreferendum.com |publisher=Scottish Government}}</ref> In May 2013, Roland Vaubel, an [[Alternative for Germany]] adviser,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Advisory Board |url=https://www.alternativefuer.de/partei/wissenschaftlicher-beirat |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921054110/https://www.alternativefuer.de/partei/wissenschaftlicher-beirat |archive-date=21 September 2013 |access-date=17 October 2013 |publisher=Alternative for Germany |language=de}}</ref> published a paper stating that Scotland would remain a member of the EU upon independence, and suggested there would need to be negotiations between the British and Scottish governments on sharing 'the rights and obligations of the predecessor state'. He also said that Barroso's comments on the legal position had 'no basis in the European treaties'.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Hutcheon |first=Paul |date=12 May 2013 |title=Adviser to German Government: 'Indy Scotland Would Still Be in Europe' |work=Sunday Herald |url=http://www.heraldscotland.com/politics/referendum-news/adviser-to-german-government-indy-scotland-would-still-be-in-europe.20948699 |access-date=14 May 2013}}</ref> |
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==== Future status of the United Kingdom in the European Union ==== |
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In January 2013, [[David Cameron]] committed the [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative Party]] to a referendum before the end of 2017 on UK membership of the EU if they won the [[2015 United Kingdom general election|2015 general election]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=23 January 2013 |title=David Cameron promises in/out referendum on EU |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-21148282 |access-date=23 January 2013 |website=BBC News |publisher=BBC}}</ref> Legislation for an in/out EU referendum was approved by the House of Commons in November 2013.<ref>{{Cite web |date=29 November 2013 |title=EU referendum bill gets Commons approval |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-25152028 |access-date=2 December 2013 |website=BBC News |publisher=BBC}}</ref> Studies showed some divergence in attitudes to the EU in Scotland and the rest of the UK. Although a Scottish government review based on survey data between 1999 and 2005 found that people in Scotland reported "broadly similar Eurosceptic views as people in Britain as a whole",<ref>{{Cite web |title=Attitudes Towards the European Union and the Challenges in Communicating 'Europe': Building a Bridge Between Europe and its Citizens |url=http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2007/01/23145439/5 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203001013/http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2007/01/23145439/5 |archive-date=3 December 2013 |access-date=2 December 2013 |publisher=Scottish Government}}</ref> Ipsos MORI noted in February 2013 that while 58% of voters in Scotland supported holding a referendum on EU membership, a majority also said they would vote to remain in the bloc. In contrast, there was a majority for withdrawal in England.<ref>{{Cite web |date=14 February 2013 |title=Scots want EU referendum but would vote to stay in |url=http://www.ipsos-mori.com/researchpublications/researcharchive/3131/Scots-want-EU-referendum-but-would-vote-to-stay-in.aspx |access-date=2 December 2013 |publisher=Ipsos MORI}}</ref> |
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Yes Scotland said that the UK government plans for an EU referendum had caused "economic uncertainty" for Scotland.<ref>{{Cite web |date=23 January 2013 |title=What do No campaign say now EU membership under threat from Westminster? |url=http://www.yesscotland.net/what_do_no_campaign_say_now_eu_membership_under_threat_from_westminster |access-date=23 January 2013 |publisher=Yes Scotland}}</ref> During a CBI Scotland event attended by Cameron, businessman [[Michael Rake]] criticised him for creating uncertainty about EU membership.<ref name="salmond eu" /> In response to such criticism, Cameron pointed to examples of inward investment in the UK that he said was not happening in the rest of Europe.<ref name="salmond eu">{{Cite web |date=29 August 2014 |title=Scottish independence: Alex Salmond says Eurosceptics 'damaging Scotland' |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-28980041 |access-date=29 August 2014 |website=BBC News |publisher=BBC}}</ref> Some commentators suggested that the [[Brexit|UK leaving the EU]] could undermine the case for Scottish independence, since free trade, freedom of movement and the absence of border controls between Scotland and England could no longer be assumed.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ashcroft |first=Brian |date=28 January 2013 |title=Should Scotland be in EU if rUK out? |url=http://www.scottisheconomywatch.com/brian-ashcrofts-scottish/2013/01/should-scotland-be-in-eu-if-ruk-out.html |access-date=31 January 2014 |publisher=Scottish Economy Watch}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=3 May 2013 |title=What future for the Scottish-EU relationship? {{pipe}} Future of the UK and Scotland: The Referendum Debate |url=http://www.futureukandscotland.ac.uk/blog/what-future-scottish-eu-relationship |access-date=31 January 2014 |publisher=Futureukandscotland.ac.uk}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Roxburgh |first=Angus |date=19 May 2013 |title=Scotland's tough call: stay in the UK, or stay in the EU? |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/may/19/scotland-tough-call-uk-eu-referendums}}</ref> |
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=== Health care === |
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Responsibility for most aspects of [[health care]] was devolved to the Scottish Parliament when it was established in 1999.<ref name="health devo" /> The Scottish government enacted health policies which were different from those in England, such as abolishing charges for prescriptions and elderly personal care.<ref name="health devo">{{Cite web |date=25 June 2012 |title=Q&A: Your Scottish independence questions |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-18364699 |access-date=29 May 2014 |website=BBC News |publisher=BBC}}</ref> [[NHS Scotland]] was operationally independent of the NHS in the rest of the United Kingdom since the formation of the NHS in 1948.<ref name="reciprocal" /><ref name="nhs">{{Cite news |last=Peterkin |first=Tom |date=17 June 2013 |title=Scottish independence: What would happen to the NHS? |work=The Scotsman |url=http://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/top-stories/scottish-independence-what-would-happen-to-the-nhs-1-2969345 |access-date=29 May 2014}}</ref> Supporters of independence argued that independence was needed because possible reductions in the NHS budget in England would result in reduced funding for Scotland, which would make it difficult to maintain the existing service.<ref name="nhs" /> [[Harry Burns (doctor)|Harry Burns]], a former chief medical officer for Scotland, said in July 2014 that he thought independence could be beneficial for public health because it may give people greater control of their lives.<ref>{{Cite web |date=20 July 2014 |title=Scottish independence: Sir Harry Burns says Yes vote could be 'positive' for health |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-28390734 |access-date=20 July 2014 |website=BBC News |publisher=BBC}}</ref> |
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In May 2014, about 100 medical workers, including surgeons, consultant doctors, GPs, pharmacists, dentists, hospital porters and janitors joined a pro-independence campaign group called "NHS for Yes". Its co-founder described health care in Scotland as "a shining example of self-government for Scotland demonstrably being far better than Westminster government" and said independence would "protect [NHS Scotland] from future Westminster funding cuts, and the damaging impact of privatisation south of the border".<ref>{{Cite news |date=24 May 2014 |title=Medics launch NHS for Yes campaign to 'protect health service' |work=STV News |publisher=STV |url=http://news.stv.tv/politics/276475-medics-launch-nhs-for-yes-campaign-to-protect-health-service |url-status=dead |access-date=4 June 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140606205556/http://news.stv.tv/politics/276475-medics-launch-nhs-for-yes-campaign-to-protect-health-service |archive-date=6 June 2014}}</ref> In contrast, opponents argued that a subsequent drop in funding to an independent Scottish Government would have a significantly larger effect upon the budget. Concerns were also raised about the impact on the medical research sector in Scotland from the loss of UK wide research funding.<ref name="nhsn1tg">{{Cite news |title=Scottish independence: Six in ten Doctors do not want independence |work=The Daily Telegraph |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/scottish-independence/11028904/Six-in-10-doctors-in-Scotland-do-not-want-independence.html |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/scottish-independence/11028904/Six-in-10-doctors-in-Scotland-do-not-want-independence.html |archive-date=12 January 2022}}{{Cbignore}}</ref> |
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Two days before the referendum, papers indicating "a funding gap of £400–£450m in the next two financial years, 2015–17", for Scotland's NHS, resulting from Scottish government policies, were leaked to the media.<ref name="NHS16">{{Cite web |date=16 September 2014 |title=Scottish independence: NHS in Scotland 'faces £400m funding gap' |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-29213416 |access-date=16 September 2014 |website=BBC News |publisher=BBC}}</ref> A Scottish government spokesperson commented that the papers were from "part of the regular discussions among NHS leaders to plan for NHS Scotland's future".<ref name="NHS16" /> |
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==== Specialist treatment ==== |
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Opponents of independence said that being part of the UK was crucial in allowing Scots to obtain specialist treatment elsewhere in the UK.<ref name="nhs" /> Although operationally independent, NHS Scotland had reciprocal arrangements in place with the NHS services in the rest of the UK and specialist services were shared.<ref name="reciprocal">{{Cite web |date=25 November 2013 |title=Scottish independence: What would it mean for the rest of the UK? |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-25035427 |access-date=29 May 2014 |website=BBC News |publisher=BBC}}</ref> Vote No Borders, a unionist campaign group, ran a cinema advert which claimed that Scots would find it more difficult to obtain treatment at the [[Great Ormond Street Hospital]] (GOSH), a London facility which provided specialist care for children.<ref name="gosh" /><ref name="gosh bbc" /> Vote No Borders withdrew the advert after GOSH complained that it had not been consulted about the advert and stated that they had reciprocal health care agreements with numerous countries.<ref name="gosh">{{Cite news |last=Peterkin |first=Tom |date=29 May 2014 |title=Great Ormond Street Hospital hits out at No advert |work=The Scotsman |url=http://www.scotsman.com/news/health/great-ormond-street-hospital-hits-out-at-no-advert-1-3427182 |access-date=29 May 2014}}</ref><ref name="gosh bbc">{{Cite web |date=30 May 2014 |title=Scottish independence: Vote No Borders advert pulled over child hospital claim |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-27632803 |access-date=30 May 2014 |website=BBC News |publisher=BBC}}</ref> |
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=== International relations === |
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The white paper on independence proposed that an independent Scotland would open around 100 embassies around the world.<ref name="sturgeon embassies" /> [[Prime Minister of the United Kingdom|Prime Minister]] [[David Cameron]] suggested that an independent Scotland would be "marginalised" at the United Nations, where the UK is a permanent member of the [[Security Council]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=15 February 2012 |title=Scottish Independence: Cameron Warns On UN Security Council Place |url=http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2012/02/15/scottish-independence-cameron-un-security-council_n_1279408.html |access-date=11 October 2012 |website=www.huffingtonpost.co.uk}}</ref> Former Prime Minister [[John Major]] suggested that the UK could lose its permanent seat at the Security Council if Scotland became independent.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Stacey |first=Kiran |date=16 December 2013 |title=Scots independence threat to UK influence, says Sir John Major |work=Financial Times |url=http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/4aceef46-6679-11e3-aa10-00144feabdc0.html#axzz2pCHUUmAP |access-date=31 January 2014}}</ref> |
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=== Monarchy === |
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{{See also|Union of the Crowns}} |
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[[File:Elizabeth II greets NASA GSFC employees, May 8, 2007 edit.jpg|thumb|upright|right|Queen Elizabeth II]] |
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Forming a republic was favoured by some pro-independence political parties and organisations, including the [[Scottish Green Party]]<ref>{{Cite news |last=MacDonell |first=Hamish |date=24 November 2012 |title=Radicals threaten Salmond and Scottish independence campaign |work=The Independent |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/radicals-threaten-salmond-and-scottish-independence-campaign-8347545.html |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |access-date=13 February 2013 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220501/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/radicals-threaten-salmond-and-scottish-independence-campaign-8347545.html |archive-date=1 May 2022}}{{Cbignore}}</ref> and the [[Scottish Socialist Party]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=11 August 2013 |title=SNP minister: I think indy Scotland should vote on the Queen |work=The Herald |url=http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/home-news/snp-minister-i-think-indy-scotland-should-vote-on-the-queen.1376255659 |access-date=28 August 2013}}</ref> The SNP favoured an independent Scotland continuing to recognise [[Elizabeth II]] as Queen of Scotland. [[Christine Grahame]] MSP said she believed that party policy was to hold a referendum on the matter,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Johnson |first=Simon |date=12 May 2012 |title=Queen 'may not remain monarch of an independent Scotland' |work=The Daily Telegraph |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/9261092/Queen-may-not-remain-monarch-of-an-independent-Scotland.html |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |access-date=11 October 2012 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/9261092/Queen-may-not-remain-monarch-of-an-independent-Scotland.html |archive-date=12 January 2022}}{{Cbignore}}</ref> due to a 1997 SNP conference resolution.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Torrance |first=David |title=The Battle for Britain |publisher=Biteback Publishing |page=67}}</ref> |
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Some media reports suggested that the announcement on 8 September of the pregnancy of the [[Catherine, Princess of Wales|Duchess of Cambridge]] with [[Princess Charlotte of Wales (born 2015)|her second child]] would help [[Unionism in Scotland|pro-union sentiment]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Moore |first=Suzanne |title=England's love-bombing of Scotland is a pathetic afterthought |work=[[The Guardian]] |url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/sep/08/england-love-bombing-scotland-no-vote-westminster |access-date=8 September 2014}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Goldhill |first=Olivia |date=8 September 2014 |title=Kate Middleton pregnant: Could Scottish royal baby fever keep the union together? |work=[[The Daily Telegraph]] |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/kate-middleton/11081715/Kate-Middleton-pregnant-Could-Scottish-royal-baby-fever-keep-the-union-together.html |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |access-date=10 September 2014 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/kate-middleton/11081715/Kate-Middleton-pregnant-Could-Scottish-royal-baby-fever-keep-the-union-together.html |archive-date=12 January 2022}}{{Cbignore}}</ref> The Queen's official position on Scottish independence was neutral.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Wearden |first1=Graeme |last2=Wintour |first2=Patrick |last3=Mason |first3=Rowena |date=8 September 2014 |title=Pound slumps to 10-month low after Scottish yes campaign takes poll lead |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2014/sep/08/pound-slumps-scottish-yes-campaign-poll-lead |access-date=8 September 2014}}</ref> Just prior to the referendum, Elizabeth II said in a private conversation that she hoped people would "think very carefully about the future".<ref>{{Cite news |date=15 September 2014 |title=Queen hopes Scots voters 'think carefully' |work=The Scotsman |url=http://www.scotsman.com/news/uk/queen-hopes-scots-voters-think-carefully-1-3541591 |access-date=15 September 2014}}</ref> |
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=== Pensions === |
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[[UK State Pension]]s were managed by the UK government, paying £113.10 per week to a single person who is of [[state pension]] age in the 2013/14 tax year.<ref name="pensions">{{Cite web |date=30 April 2014 |title=Scotland's referendum: What are the issues around pensions? |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-26918766 |access-date=7 May 2014 |website=BBC News |publisher=BBC}}</ref> The state pension age for men was 65, but this was due to rise to 66 in 2020 and 67 by 2028.<ref name="pensions" /> Research by the [[National Institute of Economic and Social Research]] found that an independent Scotland could delay these increases, due to a lower life expectancy.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Fraser |first=Douglas |date=7 February 2014 |title=Scottish independence: Pension age rise 'could be delayed' |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-26082480 |access-date=7 May 2014 |website=BBC News |publisher=BBC}}</ref> The ''Scotland's Future'' white paper pledged to maintain a state pension at a similar rate to the UK.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Taylor |first=Marianne |date=27 February 2014 |title=Scottish independence: Pensions and the referendum debate |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-26354467 |access-date=7 May 2014 |website=BBC News |publisher=BBC}}</ref> |
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Former UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown said in April 2014 that Scotland had an above-average share of the public-sector pension bill and concluded that pensions would be protected by sharing risks and resources within the UK.<ref>{{Cite web |date=22 April 2014 |title=Scottish independence: Brown says Scotland's pensions protected by UK |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-27106954 |access-date=7 May 2014 |website=BBC News |publisher=BBC}}</ref> UK government pensions minister [[Steve Webb]] said in May 2014 that Scots would be entitled to the current levels of state pension after independence because they had accumulated rights within the existing system.<ref name="webb">{{Cite web |date=7 May 2014 |title=Scottish independence: Pensions 'secure' post-Yes, says UK minister |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-27309215 |access-date=7 May 2014 |website=BBC News |publisher=BBC}}</ref> Webb went on to say that there would need to be negotiations between the UK and Scotland as to how these pensions would be paid.<ref name="webb" /> |
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In relation to private pension schemes, a report by the [[Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland]] expressed concern that there were no plans to deal with EU regulations that may affect the funding of cross-border defined benefit schemes.<ref>{{Cite web |date=3 February 2014 |title=Scottish independence:Accountancy body claims there is no clear plan for pensions |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-26015455 |access-date=7 May 2014 |website=BBC News |publisher=BBC}}</ref> The EC decided in March 2014 not to relax these regulations, which require cross-border schemes to be fully funded.<ref>{{Cite web |date=27 March 2014 |title=Scottish independence: European Commission reverses pensions decision |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-26771173 |access-date=7 May 2014 |website=BBC News |publisher=BBC}}</ref> |
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=== Sport === |
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[[File:Commonwealth Games, 2014, 10,000 metres - geograph.org.uk - 4103098.jpg|thumb|right|Scotland was the host nation of the [[2014 Commonwealth Games]], held less than two months prior to the referendum. Scotland previously hosted the Games in 1970 and 1986]] |
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Scotland hosted the [[2014 Commonwealth Games]] in Glasgow, less than two months before the referendum.<ref name="2014cg" /><ref>{{Cite news |date=27 February 2012 |title=Independence poll good for Games |work=The Herald |url=http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/home-news/independence-poll-good-for-games.16854597 |access-date=10 March 2014}}</ref> The Scottish team won a record number of gold medals, which the writer Alan Bisset said would help give voters more belief and confidence.<ref name="2014cg" /> ''[[Sunday Herald]]'' columnist Ian Bell took an opposing view, saying that sporting success would be unlikely to aid support for independence, due to the lengthy and passionate debate on the subject.<ref name="2014cg">{{Cite news |last=Dickie |first=Mure |date=27 July 2014 |title=Golden games performance boosts Scotland before referendum |work=Financial Times |url=http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/b4d0f642-1596-11e4-ae2e-00144feabdc0.html#axzz38rJqXdp9 |access-date=29 July 2014}}</ref> |
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Former Labour first minister [[Henry McLeish]] published a report in May 2014 that found no obvious barriers to an independent Scotland competing in the [[2016 Summer Olympics]].<ref name="mcleish">{{Cite web |date=8 May 2014 |title=Scottish independence: Athletes 'could choose Team Scotland' for Rio Olympics |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-27329425 |access-date=9 May 2014 |website=BBC News |publisher=BBC}}</ref> McLeish said that some athletes, particularly those in team sports, may choose to compete for the existing Great Britain team rather than Scotland, as they would be nationals of both states.<ref name="mcleish" /> [[International Olympic Committee]] representative [[Craig Reedie]] pointed out that Scotland would need to obtain United Nations membership and may want to set its own Olympic qualifying standards, which would need to be done in the period between independence (March 2016) and the closing date for entries (July 2016).<ref name="mcleish" /><ref>{{Cite web |date=12 August 2012 |title=Independent Scotland 'would have to compete in Team GB at 2016 Olympics' |url=http://news.stv.tv/politics/140940-independent-scotland-would-have-to-compete-in-team-gb-at-2016-olympics |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131105000401/http://news.stv.tv/politics/140940-independent-scotland-would-have-to-compete-in-team-gb-at-2016-olympics |archive-date=5 November 2013 |access-date=12 August 2012 |website=STV News |publisher=STV}}</ref> |
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[[Gordon Brown]] pointed to the [[2012 Summer Olympics medal table|2012 medal count]] for Great Britain, saying that it showed the success of the union.<ref>{{Cite web |date=20 August 2012 |title=Who will claim the Olympics? |url=http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/opinion/2012/08/201281914931705215.html |access-date=11 October 2012 |publisher=Al Jazeera}}</ref> Scottish athletes were involved in 13 of the 65 medals won by Great Britain in 2012, but only three of those were won without assistance by athletes from other parts of the UK.<ref>{{Cite web |date=18 September 2013 |title=Scottish independence: 'Scotland Olympic team could be in Rio' |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/olympics/24081596 |access-date=9 May 2014 |website=BBC News |publisher=BBC}}</ref> Sir [[Chris Hoy]] said in May 2013 that it would "take time" for Scottish athletes to "establish themselves in a new training environment", and indicated that the good performance of Scottish athletes in the Great Britain team would not automatically translate into that of an independent Scotland team.<ref name="hoy" /> Hoy also said that he believed the lack of facilities and coaching infrastructure in Scotland would have to be addressed by an independent state.<ref name="hoy">{{Cite news |date=28 May 2013 |title=Sir Chris Hoy: independence will make it harder for Scots athletes to reach their potential |work=The Herald |url=http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/home-news/sir-chris-hoy-independence-will-make-it-harder-for-scots-athletes-to-reach-their-potential.1369743799 |access-date=28 May 2013}}</ref> |
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=== Status of Northern and Western Isles === |
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{{Main|Constitutional status of Orkney, Shetland and the Western Isles}} |
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The prospect of an independent Scotland raised questions about the future of the [[Northern Isles]] ([[Orkney]] and [[Shetland]]) and the [[Western Isles]], island groups off the Scottish mainland. Some islanders called for separate referendums to be held in the islands on 25 September 2014, one week after the Scottish referendum.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Riley-Smith |first=Ben |date=18 March 2014 |title=Shetland and Orkney should get vote on whether to leave Scotland |work=Daily Telegraph |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/scottish-independence/10705477/Shetland-and-Orkney-should-get-vote-on-whether-to-leave-Scotland.html |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |access-date=26 March 2014 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/scottish-independence/10705477/Shetland-and-Orkney-should-get-vote-on-whether-to-leave-Scotland.html |archive-date=12 January 2022}}{{Cbignore}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Lawless |first=Jill |date=23 March 2014 |title=Scotland's Vikings go own way in independence vote |work=Associated Press News |url=https://apnews.com/df9487dfda21429c8fe71bdbf5cdcf87 |access-date=9 May 2014}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=24 March 2014 |title=Scottish islanders seek votes for own independence |work=Reuters |url=http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-scotland-independence-islands-idUKBREA2N1FV20140324 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305143906/http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-scotland-independence-islands-idUKBREA2N1FV20140324 |url-status=dead |archive-date=5 March 2016 |access-date=26 March 2014}}</ref> In March 2014, the Scottish Parliament published an [[online petition]] it had received calling for such referendums, which was supported by Shetland MSP [[Tavish Scott]].<ref name="petition">{{Cite news |date=18 March 2014 |title=Island referendum petition launched |work=[[Shetland Times]] |url=http://www.shetnews.co.uk/features/scottish-independence-debate/8175-island-referendum-petition-launched |url-status=dead |access-date=26 March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140326181036/http://www.shetnews.co.uk/features/scottish-independence-debate/8175-island-referendum-petition-launched |archive-date=26 March 2014}}</ref> The proposed referendums would have asked islanders to choose from three options: that the island group should become an independent country; that it should remain in Scotland; or that (in the event of Scottish independence) it should remain in the UK.<ref>{{Cite news |date=19 March 2014 |title=Petition for independence in the Western Isles, Shetland and Orkney |work=The Herald |url=http://www.heraldscotland.com/politics/referendum-news/petition-for-independence-in-the-western-isles-shetland-and-orkney.23732164 |access-date=26 March 2014}}</ref> The third option would have implemented a conditional promise made in 2012 by an SNP spokesperson, who said that Orkney and Shetland could remain in the United Kingdom if their "drive for self-determination" was strong enough.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Johnson |first=Simon |date=20 March 2012 |title=SNP admits Shetland and Orkney could opt out of independent Scotland |work=Daily Telegraph |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/9156220/SNP-admits-Shetland-and-Orkney-could-opt-out-of-independent-Scotland.html |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |access-date=2 September 2013 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/9156220/SNP-admits-Shetland-and-Orkney-could-opt-out-of-independent-Scotland.html |archive-date=12 January 2022}}{{Cbignore}}</ref> |
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Politicians in the three island groups referred to the Scottish referendum as the most important event in their political history "since the inception of the island councils in 1975".<ref name="Inception1975" /> Angus Campbell, leader of the Western Isles, said that the ongoing constitutional debate offered the "opportunity for the three island councils to secure increased powers for our communities to take decisions which will benefit the economies and the lives of those who live in the islands".<ref name="Inception1975">{{Cite web |date=17 June 2013 |title=Orkney, Shetland and Western Isles councils lobby for more powers |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-22934024 |access-date=2 September 2013 |website=BBC News |publisher=BBC}}</ref> In a meeting of the island councils in March 2013, leaders of the three territories discussed their future in the event of Scottish independence.<ref name="guardianisles" /> This included whether the islands could demand and achieve autonomous status within either Scotland or the rest of the UK. Among the scenarios proposed were achieving either [[Crown Dependency]] status or self-government modelled after the [[Faroe Islands]], in association with either Scotland or the UK.<ref name="guardianisles">{{Cite news |date=17 March 2013 |title=Scottish independence: islands consider their own 'home rule' |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2013/mar/17/scottish-independence-islands-home-rule |access-date=2 September 2013}}</ref> Steven Heddle, Orkney's council leader, described pursuing Crown Dependency status as the least likely option, as it would threaten funding from the EU, which was essential for local farmers.<ref name="guardianisles" /> Alasdair Allan, MSP for the Western Isles, said independence could have a positive impact on the isles, as "crofters and farmers could expect a substantial uplift in agricultural and rural development funding via the Common Agricultural Policy if Scotland were an independent member state of the EU".<ref>{{Cite news |date=27 November 2013 |title=What independence White Paper could mean for the Isles |work=Stornoway Gazette |url=http://www.stornowaygazette.co.uk/news/local-headlines/what-independence-white-paper-could-mean-for-the-isles-1-3210531 |url-status=dead |access-date=27 November 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131202234152/http://www.stornowaygazette.co.uk/news/local-headlines/what-independence-white-paper-could-mean-for-the-isles-1-3210531 |archive-date=2 December 2013}}</ref> |
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In July 2013, the Scottish government made the [[Lerwick Declaration]], indicating an interest in devolving power to Scotland's islands. By November, it had committed to devolving further powers to Orkney, Shetland and the Western Isles in the event of independence.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Ross |first=David |date=23 November 2013 |title=Islands set to win key decision-making powers with unprecedented legislation |work=The Herald |url=http://www.heraldscotland.com/politics/referendum-news/islands-set-to-win-key-decision-making-powers-with-unprecedented-legislatio.22769214 |access-date=27 November 2013}}</ref> Steven Heddle called for legislation to that effect to be introduced regardless of the referendum result.<ref>{{Cite news |date=21 November 2013 |title=Islands Act should not depend on independence |work=Shetland News |url=http://www.shetnews.co.uk/news/7640-islands-act-should-not-depend-on-independence |access-date=27 November 2013}}</ref> |
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A day before the referendum [[Alistair Carmichael]], the MP for Orkney and Shetland, and then-[[Secretary of State for Scotland]], suggested that if Shetland were to vote strongly against independence but the Scottish national vote was narrowly in favour, a discussion should be had about Shetland becoming a self-governing crown dependency outside of independent Scotland, similar to the [[Isle of Man]]. He stated that he did not want such circumstances to arise, "and the best way to avoid this was to vote no in the referendum".<ref>{{Cite news |date=17 September 2014 |title=Shetland may reconsider its place in Scotland after yes vote, says Carmichael |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2014/sep/17/shetland-may-reconsider-place-scotland-yes-vote-alistair-carmichael}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=17 September 2014 |title=Carmichael sets record straight on independence comments |work=Shetland News |url=http://www.shetlandtimes.co.uk/2014/09/17/carmichael-sets-record-straight-on-independence-comments}}</ref> |
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=== Universities === |
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==== Scientific research ==== |
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In 2012–13, Scottish universities received 13.1% of [[Research Councils UK]] funding.<ref>{{Cite web |date=November 2013 |title=Scotland analysis: Science and research |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/255788/bis-13-1115-scotland-analysis-science-and-research.pdf |access-date=30 April 2014 |publisher=UK Government}}</ref> Alan Trench of [[University College London]] said that Scottish universities had received a "hugely disproportionate" level of funding and would no longer be able to access it following independence. Willie Rennie, leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats, suggested that independence would mean Scottish universities losing £210m in research funding.<ref>{{Cite web |date=27 November 2011 |title=UK link funds R&D funding in Scotland |url=http://www.scotlibdems.org.uk/news/2011/11/uk-link-funds-rd-funding-scotland |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111225092338/http://www.scotlibdems.org.uk/news/2011/11/uk-link-funds-rd-funding-scotland |archive-date=25 December 2011 |access-date=20 July 2013 |website=www.scotlibdems.org.uk |publisher=Scottish Liberal Democrats}}</ref> The Institute of Physics in Scotland warned that access to international facilities such as the [[CERN]] [[Large Hadron Collider]], the [[European Space Agency]], and [[European Southern Observatory]] could require renegotiation by the Scottish government.<ref name="scientists" /> It also expressed concerns about research funding from UK charities and the reaction of international companies with Scottish facilities.<ref name="scientists">{{Cite news |date=21 July 2013 |title=Scottish independence: Scientists setback fears |work=The Scotsman |url=http://www.scotsman.com/news/uk/scottish-independence-scientists-setback-fears-1-3008634 |access-date=27 November 2013}}</ref> |
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The Scottish government's education secretary, [[Michael Russell (Scottish politician)|Michael Russell]], said that Scotland's universities had a "global reputation" that would continue to attract investment after independence.<ref>{{Cite web |date=27 November 2011 |title=Scottish university research at risk from independence, claim LibDems |url=http://news.stv.tv/politics/282953-scottish-university-research-at-risk-from-independence-claim-libdems |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131105003426/http://news.stv.tv/politics/282953-scottish-university-research-at-risk-from-independence-claim-libdems |archive-date=5 November 2013 |access-date=21 May 2013 |website=STV News |publisher=STV}}</ref> In September 2013, the principal of the [[University of Aberdeen]] said that Scottish universities could continue to access UK research funding through a "single research area" that crossed both nations' boundaries.<ref>{{Cite news |date=1 September 2013 |title=Scottish independence: Unis 'could get UK funds' |work=The Scotsman |publisher=Johnston Publishing |url=http://www.scotsman.com/news/education/scottish-independence-unis-could-get-uk-funds-1-3070092 |access-date=2 September 2013}}</ref> David Bell, professor of economics at the [[University of Stirling]], said that cross-border collaboration might continue, but Scottish universities could still lose their financial advantage.<ref>{{Cite news |date=23 May 2013 |title=State of independence could prove costly, Scots warned |work=Times Higher Education |url=http://www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/news/state-of-independence-could-prove-costly-scots-warned/2004011.article |access-date=27 November 2013}}</ref> Roger Cook of the Scotland Institute pointed out that although Scottish universities had received a higher share of Research Councils funding, they were much less dependent on this as a source of funding than their counterparts in England.<ref name="experts">{{Cite web |last1=Currie |first1=Martin |last2=Black |first2=Andrew |date=12 February 2014 |title=Scottish independence referendum: Experts examine the claims |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-25847084 |access-date=30 April 2014 |website=BBC News |publisher=BBC}}</ref> Professors from Scotland's five medical schools wrote an open letter warning that independence would mean Scotland's researcher base being "denied its present ability to win proportionately more grant funding".<ref>{{Cite web |date=23 May 2014 |title=Scottish independence: What is dividing academics? |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-27294970 |access-date=9 September 2014 |website=BBC News |publisher=BBC}}</ref> |
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Questions were asked whether Scotland, as an economy of a smaller size than the UK, would still support the same level of research activity, and what additional efforts might be required to establish a system of research councils "north of the border".<ref>{{Cite news |date=18 August 2014 |title=Scottish independence: how would it affect university research funding? |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/higher-education-network/blog/2014/aug/18/scottish-independence-impact-university-research |access-date=9 September 2014}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=17 July 2014 |title=To be or not to be Independent, that is the Question! |url=http://www.labtimes.org/editorial/e_523.lasso |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140910195454/http://www.labtimes.org/editorial/e_523.lasso |archive-date=10 September 2014 |access-date=9 September 2014 |website=www.labtimes.org}}</ref> Jo Shaw, Salvesen chair of European institutions at the [[University of Edinburgh]], noted that in smaller states, relationships between universities and research funders became "cosy", and led to a "corporatist" approach.<ref name="timeshighereducation">{{Cite news |date=12 June 2014 |title=Scottish independence: how would it affect university research funding? |work=Times Higher Education |url=http://www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/features/what-might-independence-mean-for-scotlands-universities/2013795.article |access-date=9 September 2014}}</ref> |
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==== Student funding ==== |
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{{See also|Tuition fees in the United Kingdom}} |
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At the time of the referendum, Students domiciled in Scotland did not pay tuition fees.<ref name="endowment">{{Cite web |date=13 June 2007 |title=Q&A : Graduate endowments |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/6747811.stm |access-date=30 April 2014 |website=BBC News |publisher=BBC}}</ref> Students domiciled in the rest of the UK were charged fees of up to £9,000 per annum by Scottish universities,<ref name="squeezed">{{Cite web |date=22 May 2013 |title=Scottish independence: Students could be 'squeezed out' of home universities |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-22621470 |access-date=30 April 2014 |website=BBC News |publisher=BBC}}</ref> but those from other EU member states were not charged fees due to EU law.<ref>{{Cite web |date=25 January 2000 |title=Full text of tuition fees agreement |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/618698.stm |access-date=30 April 2014 |website=BBC News |publisher=BBC}}</ref> |
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If Scotland had become an independent state, students from the rest of the UK would have been in the same position as students from the rest of the EU.<ref name="squeezed" /> A University of Edinburgh study found that this would cause a loss in funding, which could have squeezed out Scottish students.<ref name="squeezed" /> The study suggested three courses of action for an independent Scotland: introducing tuition fees for all students; negotiating an agreement with the EU where a quota of student places would be reserved for Scots; or introducing a separate admissions service for students from other EU member states, with an admission fee attached.<ref name="squeezed" /> It concluded that the EU may allow a quota system for some specialist subjects, such as medicine, where there was a clear need for local students to be trained for particular careers, but that other subjects would not be eligible.<ref name="squeezed" /> The study also found that their third suggestion would run against the spirit of the [[Bologna agreement]], which aimed to encourage EU student mobility.<ref name="squeezed" /> |
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The Scottish government stated in its white paper, ''[[Scotland's Future]]'', that the present tuition fees arrangement would remain in place in an independent Scotland, as the EU allowed for different fee arrangements in "exceptional circumstances".<ref name="MPs claim" /> [[Ján Figeľ]], a former EU commissioner for education, said in January 2014 that it would be illegal for an independent Scotland to apply a different treatment to students from the rest of the UK.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Whitaker |first=Andrew |date=17 January 2014 |title=Scottish independence: rUK tuition fees 'illegal' |work=The Scotsman |publisher=Johnston Publishing |url=http://www.scotsman.com/news/education/scottish-independence-ruk-tuition-fees-illegal-1-3271703 |access-date=30 April 2014}}</ref> The Law Society of Scotland concurred.<ref>{{Cite news |date=14 July 2014 |title=Scottish tuition fees for English students could be illegal under independence, lawyers warn |work=The Daily Telegraph |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/scottish-independence/10964744/Scottish-tuition-fees-for-English-students-could-be-illegal-under-independence-lawyers-warn.html |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |access-date=26 August 2014 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/scottish-independence/10964744/Scottish-tuition-fees-for-English-students-could-be-illegal-under-independence-lawyers-warn.html |archive-date=12 January 2022}}{{Cbignore}}</ref> A report by a House of Commons select committee stated that it would cost an independent Scottish government £150 million to provide free tuition to students from the rest of the UK.<ref name="MPs claim">{{Cite web |date=16 March 2014 |title=Scottish independence: MPs claim Yes vote would damage education |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-26596530 |access-date=30 April 2014 |website=BBC News |publisher=BBC}}</ref> A group of academics campaigning for independence expressed concern that the present arrangements would not continue if Scotland stayed within the UK, due to public spending cuts in England and the consequential effects of the [[Barnett formula]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=17 February 2014 |title=Scottish independence: Higher education only safe with 'Yes' vote, say academics |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-26233150 |access-date=30 April 2014 |website=BBC News |publisher=BBC}}</ref> |
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=== Welfare === |
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The Yes campaign argued that control of [[Welfare state|welfare policy]] would be a major benefit of independence.<ref>{{Cite web |date=31 July 2013 |title=Scotland can do better on Welfare and Pensions |url=http://www.yesscotland.net/news/scotland-can-do-better-welfare-and-pensions |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140221151044/http://www.yesscotland.net/news/scotland-can-do-better-welfare-and-pensions |archive-date=21 February 2014 |access-date=4 February 2014 |publisher=Yes Scotland}}</ref> According to the [[Institute for Fiscal Studies]], independence would "give the opportunity for more radical reform, so that the [welfare] system better reflects the views of the Scottish people".<ref>{{Cite web |date=July 2013 |title=Government spending on benefits and state pensions in Scotland: current patterns and future issues |url=http://www.ifs.org.uk/bns/bn139.pdf |access-date=4 February 2014 |website=www.ifs.org.uk |archive-date=25 March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140325141125/http://www.ifs.org.uk/bns/bn139.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref> Yes Scotland and deputy first minister Nicola Sturgeon said the existing welfare system could only be guaranteed by voting for independence.<ref>{{Cite news |date=10 June 2013 |title=Benefits could switch easily after a Yes vote, say SNP expert group |work=The Herald |url=http://www.heraldscotland.com/politics/referendum-news/benefits-could-switch-easily-after-yes-vote.21293018 |access-date=4 February 2014}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=6 January 2014 |title=Only a Yes vote will meet demands for more powers |url=http://www.yesscotland.net/news/only-yes-vote-will-meet-demands-more-powers |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140221161919/http://www.yesscotland.net/news/only-yes-vote-will-meet-demands-more-powers |archive-date=21 February 2014 |access-date=4 February 2014 |publisher=Yes Scotland}}</ref> In September 2013, the [[Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations]] (SCVO), which represents charities, called for a separate welfare system to be established in Scotland.<ref>{{Cite news |date=29 September 2013 |title=Scotland needs a separate welfare system, say charities |work=The Herald |url=http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/home-news/scotland-needs-a-separate-welfare-system-say-charities.22295346 |access-date=4 February 2014}}</ref> |
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In November 2013, the Scottish government pledged to use the powers of independence to reverse key aspects of the [[Welfare Reform Act 2012]], which was implemented across the UK despite opposition from a majority of Scotland's MPs. It said it would abolish [[Universal Credit]]<ref>{{Cite news |date=24 November 2013 |title=White Paper preview: SNP key pledge: we'll scrap UK welfare reforms in a fairer Scotland |work=The Herald |url=http://www.heraldscotland.com/politics/referendum-news/white-paper-preview-snp-key-pledge-well-scrap-uk-welfare-reforms-in-a-faire.22776588 |access-date=4 February 2014}}</ref> and the [[bedroom tax]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=24 March 2013 |title=Sturgeon: we'll kick out the bedroom tax in an independent Scotland |work=The Herald |url=http://www.heraldscotland.com/politics/referendum-news/sturgeon-well-kick-out-the-bedroom-tax-in-an-independent-scotland.20600901 |access-date=4 February 2014}}</ref> The SNP also criticised [[Rachel Reeves]], Labour's shadow secretary of state for work and pensions, for saying<ref>{{Cite news |date=12 October 2013 |title=Labour will be tougher than Tories on benefits, promises new welfare chief |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2013/oct/12/labour-benefits-tories-labour-rachel-reeves-welfare |access-date=4 February 2014}}</ref> that a future UK Labour government would be even tougher on benefits than the [[Cameron–Clegg coalition]] government.<ref>{{Cite web |date=24 January 2014 |title=SNP comment on Joseph Rowntree Foundation's report |url=http://www.snp.org/media-centre/news/2014/jan/snp-comment-joseph-rowntree-foundation%E2%80%99s-report |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140127022756/http://www.snp.org/media-centre/news/2014/jan/snp-comment-joseph-rowntree-foundation%E2%80%99s-report |archive-date=27 January 2014 |access-date=4 February 2014 |publisher=Scottish National Party}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=13 October 2013 |title=Report reveals dismal future no campaign offers |url=http://www.snp.org/media-centre/news/2013/oct/report-reveals-dismal-future-no-campaign-offers |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131015214146/http://www.snp.org/media-centre/news/2013/oct/report-reveals-dismal-future-no-campaign-offers |archive-date=15 October 2013 |access-date=4 February 2014 |publisher=Scottish National Party}}</ref> |
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In January 2012, sources close to the prime minister told ''[[The Scotsman]]'' that "a unified tax and benefit system is at the heart of a united country" and that these powers could not be devolved to Scotland after the referendum,<ref>{{Cite news |date=29 January 2012 |title=No further tax powers for Scotland, says David Cameron |work=The Scotsman |url=http://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/top-stories/no-further-tax-powers-for-scotland-says-david-cameron-1-2084365 |access-date=4 February 2014}}</ref> though Liberal Democrat [[Michael Moore (Scottish politician)|Michael Moore]] said in August 2013 that devolution of parts of the welfare budget should be "up for debate".<ref>{{Cite news |date=11 August 2013 |title=Moore: welfare budget could be devolved |work=The Herald |url=http://www.heraldscotland.com/politics/referendum-news/moore-welfare-budget-could-be-devolved.21835798 |access-date=4 February 2014}}</ref> Labour politician [[Jim Murphy]], a former [[Secretary of State for Scotland]], said that he was "fiercely committed" to devolving welfare powers to the Scottish Parliament, but also warned that independence would be disruptive and would not be beneficial.<ref>{{Cite web |date=17 March 2014 |title=Scottish independence: Labour's Jim Murphy warns of 'disruptive change' |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-26612190 |access-date=15 April 2014 |website=BBC News |publisher=BBC}}</ref> Scottish Labour's Devolution Commission recommended in March 2014 that some aspects of the welfare state, including housing benefit and attendance allowance, should be devolved.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Whitaker |first=Andrew |date=19 March 2014 |title=Labour reveal plans following No vote |work=The Scotsman |url=http://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/top-stories/labour-reveal-plans-following-no-vote-1-3344020 |url-status=dead |access-date=15 April 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140322011428/http://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/top-stories/labour-reveal-plans-following-no-vote-1-3344020 |archive-date=22 March 2014}}</ref> |
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Feminist economist [[Ailsa McKay]], a supporter of the Radical Independence movement, argued that an independent Scotland should change its welfare system dramatically by offering all its people a [[basic income]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=20 February 2013 |title=Ailsa McKay: Citizens' financial rights |work=[[The Scotsman]] |url=http://www.scotsman.com/news/ailsa-mckay-citizens-financial-rights-1-2799922}}</ref> |
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== Responses == |
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{{See also|List of endorsements in the 2014 Scottish independence referendum}} |
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=== Public events === |
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[[File:Referendum campaigning, Peebles High Street - geograph.org.uk - 4167289.jpg|thumb|Pro-independence campaigners in [[Peebles]].]] |
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[[File:Anti-Scottish independence campaigner - geograph.org.uk - 4159537.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Jim Murphy]] speaking against Scottish independence in Glasgow.]] |
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A number of [[Political demonstration|demonstrations]] in support of independence were co-ordinated following the announcement of the referendum. The [[March and Rally for Scottish Independence]] in September 2012 drew a crowd of between 5,000 and 10,000 people to [[Princes Street Gardens]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=22 September 2012 |title=Thousands at Scottish independence rally in Edinburgh |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-19685144 |access-date=22 September 2013 |website=BBC News |publisher=BBC}}</ref> The event was repeated in September 2013; police estimated that over 8,000 people took part in the march, while organisers and the [[Scottish Police Federation]]<ref>{{Cite tweet |number=382171770595205120 |user=Scotspolfed |title=Twitter / Scotspolfed |date=23 September 2013 |access-date=1 October 2013}}</ref> claimed between 20,000 and 30,000 people took part in the combined march and rally.<ref>{{Cite news |date=21 September 2013 |title=Yes Scotland: thousands show up for independence march |work=The Herald |url=http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/home-news/yes-scotland-the-march-for-independence-is-under-way.1379759038 |access-date=22 September 2013}}</ref> The March and Rally was criticised in both 2012 and 2013 for the involvement of groups like the [[Scottish Republican Socialist Movement]]<ref>{{Cite news |date=16 September 2012 |title=Union flag burning group expelled from Salmond rally |work=The Herald |url=http://www.heraldscotland.com/politics/referendum-news/union-flag-burning-group-expelled-from-salmond-rally.18893616 |access-date=9 August 2013}}</ref> and [[Vlaamse Volksbeweging]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Gilligan |first=Andrew |date=22 September 2013 |title=Far-Right group allied to Scottish separatists |work=The Daily Telegraph |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/scotland/10325655/Far-Right-group-allied-to-Scottish-separatists.html |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |access-date=22 September 2013 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/scotland/10325655/Far-Right-group-allied-to-Scottish-separatists.html |archive-date=12 January 2022}}{{Cbignore}}</ref> |
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Five days before the referendum vote, the [[Orange Order]] – a Protestant brotherhood – held a major anti-independence march and rally in Edinburgh. It involved at least 15,000 Orangemen, [[Ulster loyalism|loyalist]] bands and supporters [[Grand Orange Lodge of Scotland|from Scotland]] and across the UK,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Brooks |first=Libby |title=Orange Order anti-independence march a 'show of pro-union strength' |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2014/sep/13/orange-order-march-edinburgh-scottish-independence-vote |access-date=18 September 2014}}</ref> and was described as the biggest pro-Union demonstration of the campaign up to that date.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Orange Order march through Edinburgh to show loyalty to UK |work=Financial Times |url=http://www.ft.com/cms/s/2/cb47511e-3b70-11e4-885d-00144feabdc0.html |access-date=18 September 2014}}</ref> A rally for UK unity, organised by the Let's Stay Together campaign, was attended by 5,000 people in London's [[Trafalgar Square]] on the Monday preceding the referendum.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Ellis-Petersen |first=Hannah |title=Bob Geldof implores Scottish voters not to break up 'family' |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2014/sep/15/bob-geldof-scottish-voters-not-break-up-family |access-date=22 September 2014}}</ref> Similar events were held in London, Bristol, Leeds, Cardiff, Manchester and Belfast on the day before the referendum.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Spiro |first=Zachary |title='Day of Unity' grassroots rallies across the UK |work=The Daily Telegraph |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/scottish-independence/11103293/Day-of-Unity-grassroots-rallies-across-the-UK.html |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |access-date=22 September 2014 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/scottish-independence/11103293/Day-of-Unity-grassroots-rallies-across-the-UK.html |archive-date=12 January 2022}}{{Cbignore}}</ref> |
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Labour MP [[Jim Murphy]] conducted a Scotland-wide tour to campaign for the No side, intending to visit 100 towns and cities in 100 days before the referendum.<ref name="murphy" /> On 28 August he suspended his tour, after being hit by an egg in [[Kirkcaldy]], and it was resumed on 3 September.<ref name="murphy">{{Cite web |date=29 August 2014 |title=Scottish independence: Jim Murphy suspends campaign tour |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-28986714 |access-date=19 August 2015 |website=BBC News |publisher=BBC}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=4 September 2014 |title=Man hurled eggs at MP Jim Murphy because he 'wouldn't answer question' |url=http://stv.tv/news/east-central/290908-stuart-mackenzie-threw-eggs-at-labour-mp-jim-murphy-in-kirkcaldy |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160911053941/http://stv.tv/news/east-central/290908-stuart-mackenzie-threw-eggs-at-labour-mp-jim-murphy-in-kirkcaldy |archive-date=11 September 2016 |access-date=30 August 2016 |website=STV News |publisher=STV}}</ref> Murphy said that he had been subjected to "co-ordinated abuse" from Yes supporters and pointed to evidence of this on social media.<ref name="murphy" /> Better Together released footage of events in the tour where he was heckled by members of the public, some of whom called him a "traitor", "parasite", "terrorist" and "quisling".<ref name="murphy" /> [[David Cameron]] said that "there's nothing wrong with a bit of heckling, but throwing things isn't necessarily part of the democratic process".<ref name="murphy" /> [[Alex Salmond]] pointed out that people had "every entitlement to peaceful protest", but also said that "people shouldn't throw eggs at somebody full stop".<ref name="murphy" /> |
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==== Hands Across the Border ==== |
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'''Hands Across the Border''' was a campaign founded in support of Scotland remaining in the United Kingdom. The campaign was the idea of Conservative politician [[Rory Stewart]], MP for [[Penrith and The Border]]. In July 2014, the campaign initiated the construction of a large [[cairn]] on the [[Anglo-Scottish border]] at [[Gretna, Scotland|Gretna]]. The cairn was named 'The Auld Acquaintance', and was constructed by stones brought from across the UK and placed on the cairn by members of the public who wished to show their support for Scotland staying in the United Kingdom.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Brooks |first=Libby |date=21 July 2014 |title=Scottish independence: MP's cairn aims to pile up the no vote |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2014/jul/21/scottish-independence-rory-stewart-cairn-campaign |access-date=26 July 2014}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=9 July 2014 |title=Scottish Independence: Cairn to celebrate 'union love' |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cumbria-28216218 |access-date=26 July 2014}}</ref> The cairn was completed in September 2014, days before the referendum was held.<ref>{{Cite news |date=18 September 2014 |title=The Auld Acquaintance Cairn: The places in between |newspaper=The Economist |url=https://www.economist.com/blogs/blighty/2014/09/auld-acquaintance-cairn |access-date=1 December 2014}}</ref> The campaign received support from several public figures.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Griffiths |first=Nick |date=23 July 2014 |title=Sir Ranulph Fiennes to visit cairn celebrating union ahead of independence vote |work=The Cumberland News |url=http://www.newsandstar.co.uk/news/sir-ranulph-fiennes-to-visit-cairn-celebrating-union-ahead-of-independence-vote-1.1150300 |url-status=dead |access-date=26 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140826170803/http://www.newsandstar.co.uk/news/sir-ranulph-fiennes-to-visit-cairn-celebrating-union-ahead-of-independence-vote-1.1150300 |archive-date=26 August 2014}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Griffiths |first=Nick |date=26 July 2014 |title=Joanna Lumley backs campaign against Scottish Independence |work=The Cumberland News |url=http://www.newsandstar.co.uk/news/joanna-lumley-backs-campaign-against-scottish-independence-1.1151043 |url-status=dead |access-date=26 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140730081046/http://www.newsandstar.co.uk/news/joanna-lumley-backs-campaign-against-scottish-independence-1.1151043 |archive-date=30 July 2014}}</ref> |
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=== Online campaigns === |
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At the launch of the [[Yes Scotland]] campaign in May 2012, [[Alex Salmond]] said that the case for independence would be driven by community activism and "online wizardry".<ref>{{Cite web |date=25 May 2012 |title=Scottish independence: One million Scots urged to sign 'yes' declaration |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-18162832 |access-date=24 August 2014 |website=BBC News |publisher=BBC}}</ref> |
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The not-for-profit and non-partisan ''What Scotland Thinks'' project tracked poll and survey data, including online activity, during the referendum campaign. Using data from the Applied Quantitative Methods Network (AQMeN) research centre, the project compiled the social media activity of the two main campaigns, Yes Scotland and [[Better Together (campaign)|Better Together]], by monitoring their respective [[Facebook]] and [[Twitter]] accounts since August 2013.<ref name="Feb">{{Cite web |last1=Quinlan |first1=Stephen |last2=Shephard |first2=Mark |date=21 February 2014 |title=Racing Ahead Online: Catching Up Offline? |url=http://blog.whatscotlandthinks.org/2014/02/racing-ahead-online-catching-up-offline |access-date=24 August 2014 |website=What Scotland Thinks |publisher=NatCen}}</ref> ''What Scotland Thinks'' published a report in February 2014 stating that the Yes Scotland campaign was gaining more Facebook likes. Following the launch of the White Paper on 26 November, the average gap between the two Facebook pages grew from about 8,000 to about 23,000 by February 2014. Analysis of the campaigns' Twitter accounts showed the gap between the campaigns increased from approximately 8,000 followers in August 2013 to 13,804 followers in February 2014, in favour of Yes Scotland.<ref name="Feb" /> The project published a further report in June 2014 saying that greater online activity for Yes Scotland had continued.<ref name="June">{{Cite web |last1=Quinlan |first1=Stephen |last2=Shephard |first2=Mark |date=19 June 2014 |title=Yes Side Maintains Advantage in The Online Campaign Battle |url=http://blog.whatscotlandthinks.org/2014/06/yes-side-maintains-advantage-in-the-online-campaign-battl/?fid=13910&isc=1&did=74be12f3b0fb24f57380980e2ca92f19ecc648da&ctp=article |access-date=24 August 2014 |website=What Scotland Thinks |publisher=NatCen}}</ref> |
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Professor Michael Keating said in April 2014 that the pro-independence movement was visibly stronger and fighting a "ground war", while unionist supporters were fighting an {{"'}}air war' of facts and figures".<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Keating |first=Michael |date=April 2014 |title=Foresight: Scotland Decides |url=http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/store/10.1111/2041-9066.12043/asset/pins12043.pdf;jsessionid=0CA031109889179C8EA04FFAE6F8FD7A.f04t04?v=1&t=hz8i2pma&s=a0220dbc36cf4d6caf744bf1568efe27974d87e5 |journal=Political Insight |volume=5 |issue=1 |pages=18–19 |doi=10.1111/2041-9066.12043 |access-date=24 August 2014 |s2cid=157471691}}{{dead link|date=September 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> |
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The launch of online celebrity videos from both viewpoints was reported by the media in mid-July 2014. The "Let's Stay Together" campaign group produced a [[YouTube]] video called {{"'}}Scotland, you're my best friend{{'"}}, featuring [[John Barrowman]], [[Ross Kemp]] and [[Eddie Izzard]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=July 2014 |title=Let's Stay Together |url=https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSaBGoZMdLPSGGRS96fbLWw |access-date=24 August 2014 |website=Let's Stay Together on YouTube |publisher=Google Inc}}</ref> A pro-independence video was produced by Yes Scotland and appeared on the campaign's YouTube channel. Titled "✘ on September 18th #voteYes", the video features 32 people, including [[David Hayman]], [[Martin Compston]] and [[Stuart Braithwaite]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=11 July 2014 |title=✘ on September 18th #voteYes [with captions] |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vbkXqFdWYSE |url-status=live |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211107/vbkXqFdWYSE |archive-date=2021-11-07 |access-date=13 January 2016 |publisher=Sign4Scotland, YouTube}}{{Cbignore}}</ref> |
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[[File:The Crimean referendum - a comparison with the Scottish referendum (13306114335).jpg|thumb|upright|English language brochure produced by the [[Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office|Foreign and Commonwealth Office]] comparing the [[2014 Crimean status referendum]] with the 2014 Scottish independence referendum.]] |
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The pro-independence organisation [[National Collective]] was identified by the ''Independent'' newspaper as the initiators of an online [[hashtag]] campaign that began in mid-August 2014. Writing for the ''Independent'', Antonia Molloy said that the previous "#IndyReasons" hashtag campaign served as the inspiration for the "#YesBecause" campaign that was observed on the Twitter, Facebook and Vine social media platforms. From 21 August, users were invited to explain their reasons for voting "Yes" and #YesBecause was trending on Twitter after an hour from the launch.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Molloy |first=Antonia |date=21 August 2014 |title=Scottish Independence: #YesBecause hashtag shows 'unfiltered reality' of Yes campaign |work=The Independent |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/scottish-independence/scottish-independence-yesbecause-hashtag-shows-unfiltered-reality-of-yes-campaign-9683541.html |url-access=subscription |access-date=24 August 2014 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220501/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/scottish-independence/scottish-independence-yesbecause-hashtag-shows-unfiltered-reality-of-yes-campaign-9683541.html |archive-date=1 May 2022}}{{Cbignore}}</ref> The [[Canadian Broadcasting Corporation]] (CBC) reported on 22 August that a "#NoBecause" campaign emerged in opposition to the Collective.<ref>{{Cite web |date=22 August 2014 |title=#YesBecause vs. #NoBecause as Scottish independence referendum looms |url=https://storify.com/cbccommunity/yesbecause-vs-nobecause-as-scottish-independence |access-date=24 August 2014 |website=CBC News on Storify |publisher=Storify}}</ref> |
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=== Debates === |
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{{Further|topic=the first televised debate between [[Alex Salmond]] and [[Alistair Darling]]|Salmond & Darling: The Debate}} |
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{{Further|topic=the second televised debate between Salmond and Darling|Scotland Decides: Salmond versus Darling}} |
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Debates over the issue of independence took place on television, in communities, and within universities and societies since the announcement of the referendum.<ref>{{Cite news |date=24 September 2013 |title=Independence debate wins students over |work=The Courier |publisher=DC Thomson |url=http://www.thecourier.co.uk/news/local/dundee/independence-debate-wins-students-over-1.134308 |url-status=dead |access-date=7 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130925160302/http://www.thecourier.co.uk/news/local/dundee/independence-debate-wins-students-over-1.134308 |archive-date=25 September 2013}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=15 November 2013 |title=Yes wins Napier referendum |url=http://www.yesscotland.net/news/yes-wins-napier-referendum |access-date=16 November 2013 |website=www.yesscotland.net |publisher=Yes Scotland}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Strath Indy Ref – Strathstudents |url=http://www.strathstudents.com/indyref |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131122033956/http://www.strathstudents.com/indyref |archive-date=22 November 2013 |access-date=19 November 2013}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=21 November 2013 |title=The 'Nos' have it at Perth & Kinross Youth Council's independence question time |work=The Courier |publisher=DC Thomson |url=http://www.thecourier.co.uk/news/local/perth-kinross/the-nos-have-it-at-perth-kinross-youth-council-s-independence-question-time-1.156266 |url-status=dead |access-date=23 November 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131124081538/http://www.thecourier.co.uk/news/local/perth-kinross/the-nos-have-it-at-perth-kinross-youth-council-s-independence-question-time-1.156266 |archive-date=24 November 2013}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=29 November 2013 |title=Yes vote triumph in Scottish Labour leader's own backyard |url=http://www.yesscotland.net/news/yes-vote-triumph-scottish-labour-leaders-own-backyard |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203020438/http://www.yesscotland.net/news/yes-vote-triumph-scottish-labour-leaders-own-backyard |archive-date=3 December 2013 |access-date=2 December 2013 |website=www.yesscotland.net |publisher=Yes Scotland}}</ref> The [[STV (TV channel)|STV]] current affairs programme ''[[Scotland Tonight]]'' televised a series of debates: [[Nicola Sturgeon]] v [[Michael Moore (Scottish politician)|Michael Moore]],<ref>{{Cite web |last=Daisley |first=Stephen |date=17 May 2013 |title=Nicola Sturgeon and Michael Moore clash in independence debate |url=http://news.stv.tv/politics/225688-nicola-sturgeon-and-michael-moore-clash-in-independence-debate |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131009233544/http://news.stv.tv/politics/225688-nicola-sturgeon-and-michael-moore-clash-in-independence-debate |archive-date=9 October 2013 |access-date=7 October 2013 |website=STV News |publisher=STV}}</ref> Sturgeon v [[Anas Sarwar]],<ref>{{Cite web |date=5 September 2013 |title=STV prepare for second referendum debate |url=http://thetarge.co.uk/hub-current-affairs/scotland/stv-prepare-for-second-referendum-debate/0093 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131010001520/http://thetarge.co.uk/hub-current-affairs/scotland/stv-prepare-for-second-referendum-debate/0093 |archive-date=10 October 2013 |access-date=7 October 2013}}</ref> Sturgeon v [[Alistair Carmichael]]<ref>{{Cite web |date=11 November 2013 |title=Alistair Carmichael faces Nicola Sturgeon in Scotland Tonight debate |url=http://news.stv.tv/scotland/248078-alistair-carmichael-faces-nicola-sturgeon-in-scotland-tonight-debate |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131116031040/http://news.stv.tv/scotland/248078-alistair-carmichael-faces-nicola-sturgeon-in-scotland-tonight-debate |archive-date=16 November 2013 |access-date=16 November 2013 |website=STV News |publisher=STV}}</ref> and Sturgeon v [[Johann Lamont]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=13 February 2014 |title=STV announces Nicola Sturgeon and Johann Lamont referendum debate |url=http://news.stv.tv/politics/263966-scotland-tonight-nicola-sturgeon-and-johann-lamont-to-debate-referendum |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140223010326/http://news.stv.tv/politics/263966-scotland-tonight-nicola-sturgeon-and-johann-lamont-to-debate-referendum |archive-date=23 February 2014 |access-date=13 February 2014 |website=STV News |publisher=STV}}</ref> On 21 January 2014, BBC Two Scotland broadcast the first in a series of round-table debates, which was filmed in Greenock and chaired by James Cook.<ref>{{Cite web |date=21 January 2014 |title=Scottish independence: The Referendum Debate |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-25817623 |access-date=22 January 2014 |website=BBC News |publisher=BBC}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=21 January 2014 |title=As-it-happened: Scottish independence referendum debate |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-25815960 |access-date=22 January 2014 |website=BBC News |publisher=BBC}}</ref> |
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The Yes campaign repeatedly called for a televised debate between UK Prime Minister [[David Cameron]] and First Minister of Scotland [[Alex Salmond]]. These calls for a one-on-one debate were dismissed by Cameron<ref>{{Cite web |date=27 September 2013 |title=Scottish independence: David Cameron will not have TV debate with Alex Salmond |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-24297286 |access-date=7 October 2013 |website=BBC News |publisher=BBC}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=29 September 2013 |title=Scottish independence: TV debate row continues |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-24324681 |access-date=7 October 2013 |website=BBC News |publisher=BBC}}</ref> on the basis that the referendum is "for Scots to decide" and the debate should be "between people in Scotland who want to stay, and people in Scotland who want to go".<ref name="bbcdebate">{{Cite web |date=5 January 2014 |title=Scottish independence: Cameron again rejects Salmond TV debate challenge |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-25607826 |access-date=5 January 2014 |website=BBC News |publisher=BBC}}</ref> Calls for such a debate were also supported by former Prime Minister Gordon Brown who said it would be a "good idea".<ref>{{Cite web |date=10 June 2014 |title=Scottish independence: MP 'anger' over Brown debate call |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-27779131 |access-date=9 September 2014 |website=BBC News |publisher=BBC}}</ref> Better Together chairman [[Alistair Darling]] accused Salmond of "running scared" from debating him instead,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Barnes |first=Eddie |date=15 September 2013 |title=Alistair Darling: Alex Salmond scared of TV debate |work=The Scotsman |url=http://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/top-stories/alistair-darling-alex-salmond-scared-of-tv-debate-1-3094143 |access-date=22 October 2013}}</ref> although Sturgeon stated in 2013 that a Salmond–Darling debate would take place at some point.<ref>{{Cite news |date=17 October 2013 |title=Sturgeon: Salmond will have indyref debate with Darling, Carmichael after Cameron snub |work=The Herald |url=http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/home-news/sturgeon-salmond-will-debate-independence-with-darling-and-carmichael-before-referend.1382027965 |access-date=5 January 2014}}</ref> Darling refused a public debate with Yes Scotland chairman [[Blair Jenkins]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Johnson |first=Simon |date=27 September 2012 |title=Alistair Darling: Yes Scotland chief is Alex Salmond underling |work=Daily Telegraph |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/scotland/9568908/Alistair-Darling-Yes-Scotland-chief-is-Alex-Salmond-underling.html |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |access-date=3 March 2014 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/scotland/9568908/Alistair-Darling-Yes-Scotland-chief-is-Alex-Salmond-underling.html |archive-date=12 January 2022}}{{Cbignore}}</ref> [[UKIP]] leader [[Nigel Farage]] also challenged Salmond to debate, but Farage was dismissed by an SNP spokeswoman as "an irrelevance in Scotland".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Maddox |first=David |date=15 April 2014 |title=Nigel Farage challenges Salmond to TV debate |work=The Scotsman |publisher=Johnston Publishing |url=http://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/top-stories/nigel-farage-challenges-salmond-to-tv-debate-1-3376352 |access-date=18 April 2014}}</ref> |
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After weeks of negotiation, a debate between Salmond and Darling was arranged.<ref name="autogenerated2" /> The programme, titled as ''[[Salmond & Darling: The Debate]]'', was broadcast by [[STV (TV channel)|STV]] on 5 August 2014.<ref name="bbc2">{{Cite web |date=5 August 2014 |title=Scottish independence: Salmond and Darling clash in TV debate |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-28649354 |access-date=13 January 2016 |website=BBC News |publisher=BBC}}</ref> The debate, moderated by [[Bernard Ponsonby]], saw both politicians make opening statements and cross-examine each other before taking questions from the audience. At the end of the clash, they were both given the chance to make a closing speech.<ref>{{Cite web |date=5 August 2014 |title=Alex Salmond and Alistair Darling clash in live debate on STV |url=http://news.stv.tv/scotland/285209-alex-salmond-and-alistair-darling-clash-in-live-debate-on-stv |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304035252/http://news.stv.tv/scotland/285209-alex-salmond-and-alistair-darling-clash-in-live-debate-on-stv |archive-date=4 March 2016 |access-date=13 January 2016 |website=STV News |publisher=STV}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=5 August 2014 |title=Salmond v Darling: the debate for Scotland – as it happened |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/scottish-independence-blog/live/2014/aug/05/alex-salmond-v-alistair-darling-the-debate-for-scotland-live |access-date=13 January 2016}}</ref> Both campaign groups claimed victory in the debate.<ref>{{Cite web |date=6 August 2014 |title=Scottish independence: Both sides claim TV debate victory |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-28673046 |access-date=6 August 2014 |website=BBC News |publisher=BBC}}</ref> A snap poll conducted by ICM stated Darling won the debate by 56% to 44%.<ref>{{Cite news |date=5 August 2014 |title=Debate: snap poll declares Darling winner |work=[[The Herald (Glasgow)|The Herald]] |url=http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/home-news/salmond-v-darling-the-debate-begins.1407264624 |access-date=13 January 2016}}</ref> In his analysis of the ICM poll, Professor John Curtice detected little movement either way as a result of the debate.<ref>{{Cite web |date=6 August 2014 |title=Who won the Leaders' Debate? ICM's Instant Poll |url=http://blog.whatscotlandthinks.org/2014/08/who-won-the-leaders-debate-icms-instant-poll |access-date=13 January 2016 |website=What Scotland Thinks}}</ref> |
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A second debate between Salmond and Darling, titled ''[[Scotland Decides: Salmond versus Darling]]'' was shown on [[BBC One Scotland]] (and [[BBC Two]] in the rest of the UK) on 25 August, and was hosted by [[Glenn Campbell (broadcaster)|Glenn Campbell]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=13 August 2014 |title=Scottish independence: BBC confirms Salmond-Darling debate |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-28780811 |access-date=13 August 2014 |website=BBC News |publisher=BBC}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=25 August 2014 |title=Scottish independence: Salmond and Darling clash in heated TV debate |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-28929057 |access-date=25 August 2014 |website=BBC News |publisher=BBC}}</ref> Salmond was perceived to have won the debate,<ref>{{Cite web |date=26 August 2014 |title=Salmond v Darling – What the Scottish papers say |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-28685126 |access-date=13 January 2016 |website=BBC News |publisher=BBC}}</ref><ref name="responses">{{Cite web |date=26 August 2014 |title=Scottish independence: Campaigners give their verdict on Salmond v Darling |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-28934691 |access-date=13 January 2016 |website=BBC News |publisher=BBC}}</ref> and a snap poll conducted by [[ICM Research]] stated Salmond won the debate by 71% to 29%.<ref>{{Cite web |date=26 August 2014 |title=Scottish independence: Council apology over TV debate tweet |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-28936201 |access-date=13 January 2016 |website=BBC News |publisher=BBC}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=26 August 2014 |title=Salmond Wins Round Two |url=http://blog.whatscotlandthinks.org/2014/08/salmond-wins-round-two |access-date=13 January 2016 |website=What Scotland Thinks}}</ref> |
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=== Accusations of BBC bias === |
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In January 2014, a year-long academic study by John Robertson at the [[University of the West of Scotland]] found that coverage by the BBC and the Scottish commercial channel [[STV (TV channel)|STV]] had favoured the No campaign, although Robertson conceded that this was partly due to there being more major political parties in favour of No.<ref name="Robertson" /><ref>{{Cite news |last=McAlpine |first=Joan |date=21 January 2014 |title=Opinion: Joan McAlpine: TV bosses must act on findings of study that show indy coverage isn't the balanced affair it should be |work=[[Daily Record (Scotland)|Daily Record]] |url=http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/politics/joan-mcalpine-tv-bosses-must-3042339 |access-date=16 September 2014}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=24 January 2014 |title=BBC Accused of Anti-Independence Bias by Academic Report |url=http://www.fifenewsonline.co.uk/news/bbc-accused-of-anti-independence-bias-by-academic-report |access-date=16 September 2014 |website=Fife News Online}}</ref><ref>Robertson, John. [https://www.opendemocracy.net/ourkingdom/john-robertson/bbc-bias-and-scots-referendum-new-report BBC bias and the Scots referendum – new report] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181204045146/https://www.opendemocracy.net/ourkingdom/john-robertson/bbc-bias-and-scots-referendum-new-report |date=4 December 2018 }}. OpenDemocracy. 21 February 2014.</ref> In March 2014, [[BBC Scotland]] chiefs appeared before a Scottish Parliament committee to face questions from MSPs about the broadcaster's coverage.<ref>{{Cite web |date=11 March 2014 |title=Official Report: Education and Culture Committee 11 March 2014 |url=http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28862.aspx?r=9013 |access-date=16 September 2014 |publisher=Scottish Parliament}}</ref> During that session, BBC Scotland director Ken MacQuarrie disputed the findings of Robertson's study, saying that its conclusions were largely based upon "flawed analysis" and had contained factual errors.<ref name="Robertson">{{Cite news |last=Macnab |first=Scott |date=11 March 2014 |title=BBC portrayed Alex Salmond as 'figure of fun' |work=The Scotsman |url=http://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/top-stories/bbc-portrayed-alex-salmond-as-figure-of-fun-1-3335594 |access-date=20 August 2015}}</ref> |
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During the latter stages of the campaign there were further allegations by some independence supporters that the [[BBC]] – the UK's national broadcaster – was biased against Scottish independence.<ref name="BBCIndy" /><ref name="jenkins" /> In an interview for the ''Sunday Herald'', [[Alex Salmond]] said he believed the BBC had been unconsciously biased against independence.<ref name="BBCIndy" /> Former BBC journalist [[Paul Mason (journalist)|Paul Mason]] commented: "Not since Iraq have I seen BBC News working at propaganda strength like this".<ref name="BBCIndy">{{Cite news |last=Green |first=Chris |date=14 September 2014 |title=Scottish independence: BBC Scotland's referendum coverage 'institutionally biased', Alex Salmond claims |work=The Independent |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/media/bbc-scotland-protests-scottish-independence-referendum-coverage-institutionally-biased-salmond-claims-9732095.html |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |access-date=16 September 2014 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220501/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/media/bbc-scotland-protests-scottish-independence-referendum-coverage-institutionally-biased-salmond-claims-9732095.html |archive-date=1 May 2022}}{{Cbignore}}</ref> The BBC replied that "Our coverage of the referendum story is fair and impartial in line with the editorial guidelines".<ref>{{Cite web |date=29 June 2014 |title=Hundreds protest over 'BBC bias' |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-28079812 |website=BBC News |publisher=BBC}}</ref> Alex Massie wrote in ''[[The Spectator]]'' that the BBC's coverage was consistent with their attitude towards other government proposals of such magnitude and that it was incumbent upon the Yes campaign to prove its assertions.<ref name="Spectator Blogs">{{Cite web |title=Yes, of course the BBC is biased against Scottish Nationalists |url=http://blogs.spectator.co.uk/coffeehouse/2014/06/yes-of-course-the-bbc-is-biased-against-scottish-nationalists |website=The Spectator |access-date=31 January 2015 |archive-date=31 March 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150331050325/http://blogs.spectator.co.uk/coffeehouse/2014/06/yes-of-course-the-bbc-is-biased-against-scottish-nationalists/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> |
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On 29 June, several hundred independence supporters gathered in a demonstration outside [[BBC Pacific Quay]], the main BBC studio in Glasgow, in protest at its alleged bias.<ref name="Spectator Blogs" /><ref>{{Cite news |last=Gardham |first=Magnus |date=30 June 2014 |title=Pro-independence campaigners protest outside BBC studios |work=The Herald |url=http://www.heraldscotland.com/politics/referendum-news/pro-independence-campaigners-protest-outside-bbc-studios.24620136 |access-date=17 September 2014}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Hundreds of protesters gather over ongoing 'BBC bias' row in Scottish independence referendum coverage |url=http://www.thedrum.com/news/2014/06/30/hundreds-protesters-gather-over-ongoing-bbc-bias-row-scottish-independence |access-date=17 September 2014 |website=The Drum}}</ref> A week before the vote, BBC political editor [[Nick Robinson (journalist)|Nick Robinson]] said in a news item that Salmond "didn't answer" his questions at a press conference.<ref name="robinson row">{{Cite news |last=Taylor |first=Marianne |date=14 August 2015 |title=Nick Robinson on his referendum row with Alex Salmond and recovering from cancer |work=The Herald |publisher=Herald & Times Group |url=http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/13598719.Nick_Robinson_on_his_referendum_row_with_Alex_Salmond_and_recovering_from_cancer |access-date=21 August 2015}}</ref> Several thousand independence supporters then protested at the BBC Scotland headquarters,<ref name="robinson row" /> accusing the BBC of broadcasting pro-Union "propaganda" and "lies".<ref name="BBCIndy" /> ''[[The Independent]]'' reported that the protesters accused Robinson of working "with the Treasury to spread lies about the dangers to business and financial services of an independent Scotland".<ref name="BBCIndy" /> [[Alastair Campbell]] said that the "organised protests" amounted to media censorship "not far off" [[Vladimir Putin]]'s Russia, telling [[Twitter]] users they should "Vote YES for intimidation".<ref name="BBCIndy" /> The National Union of Journalists (NUJ) asked people to think about the implications of alleging journalistic bias when its members were only asking difficult questions.<ref name="NUJ" /> Robinson later expressed his "regret" at using the phrase "didn't answer" in his report<ref name="robinson row" /> and criticised the protests.<ref>{{Cite news |date=20 August 2015 |title=Nick Robinson condemns 'Putin-like' protests against indyref coverage |work=The Herald |publisher=Herald & Times Group |url=http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/13617423.Nick_Robinson_condemns__Putin_like__protests_against_indyref_coverage/?ref=mr&lp=6 |access-date=21 August 2015}}</ref> |
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Speaking after the referendum, Yes Scotland chief executive Blair Jenkins said that he did not believe there was a "systemic bias" against Yes or any "corporate intent to disadvantage the Yes campaign".<ref name="jenkins">{{Cite web |title=Yes campaign chief says BBC referendum coverage was not biased |url=http://news.stv.tv/scotland-decides/294071-yes-campaign-chief-says-bbc-referendum-coverage-was-not-biased |website=STV News |publisher=STV |access-date=9 October 2014 |archive-date=16 October 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141016160855/http://news.stv.tv/scotland-decides/294071-yes-campaign-chief-says-bbc-referendum-coverage-was-not-biased/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> |
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=== Intimidation === |
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In addition to the incidents described above, there were reports of intimidation during the campaign.<ref name="NUJ">{{Cite web |date=15 September 2014 |title=Scottish independence: NUJ calls for end to journalist intimidation |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-29206512 |access-date=20 October 2016 |website=BBC News |publisher=BBC}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Settle |first=Michael |date=13 June 2014 |title=SNP figures accused of intimidating business leaders |work=The Herald |url=http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/13165184.SNP_figures_accused_of_intimidating_business_leaders |access-date=20 October 2016}}</ref> A survey of the 133 business leaders who signed a public letter backing the Union reported that half of respondents "said that they had felt intimidated or pressurised by SNP or the Yes campaign as a result of their views".<ref name="intim">{{Cite news |last1=Turner |first1=Camilla |last2=Newell |first2=Claire |last3=Watt |first3=Holly |date=17 September 2014 |title=Threats, intimidation and abuse: the dark side of the Yes campaign exposed |work=The Daily Telegraph |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/scottish-independence/11102194/Threats-intimidation-and-abuse-the-dark-side-of-the-Yes-campaign-exposed.html |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |access-date=20 October 2016 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/scottish-independence/11102194/Threats-intimidation-and-abuse-the-dark-side-of-the-Yes-campaign-exposed.html |archive-date=12 January 2022}}{{Cbignore}}</ref> The ''Daily Telegraph'' reported that other businesspeople had been unwilling to express an opinion on the referendum publicly because they were concerned about a loss of business from the SNP-led Scottish government or local government.<ref name="intim" /> The NUJ called for abuse and bullying of its members, which had been led by online attacks, to end, commenting that, "For the duration of the referendum there has been hostility to journalists doing their jobs".<ref>{{Cite web |date=15 September 2014 |title=NUJ calls for end to threats and intimidation of journalists reporting on the referendum in Scotland |url=https://www.nuj.org.uk/news/nuj-calls-for-end-to-threats-and-intimidation-of-journalists |access-date=3 November 2016 |website=www.nuj.org.uk |publisher=National Union of Journalists}}</ref> The Scottish Police Federation stated that criminal acts related to the referendum were few in number and criticised those "suggesting a minority of mindless idiots are representative of anything".<ref>[https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2014/sep/17/scottish-police-chairman-condemns-no-campaign-exaggerating-aggression Scottish police chairman condemns no campaign for exaggerating aggression], ''[[The Guardian]]'', 17 September 2014</ref> |
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== Opinion polling == |
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{{Main|Opinion polling for the 2014 Scottish independence referendum}} |
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[[File:Scottish independence polls graphic.svg|thumb|Results of polls to 11 September 2014. Red: no, green: yes]] |
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Professor [[John Curtice]] stated in January 2012 that polling showed support for independence at 32%–38% of the Scottish population, which represented a slight decline from 2007, when the SNP had first formed the Scottish government.<ref name="poll research" /> By 2012, there had been no poll evidence of majority support for independence, although the share "vehemently opposed to independence" had declined.<ref name="poll research">{{Cite web |date=17 January 2012 |title=Q&A: Scottish independence row |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-16473265 |access-date=19 January 2012 |website=BBC News |publisher=BBC}}</ref> According to Curtice, the polls were stable during most of 2013, with "no" leading by an average of 17% with a year to go.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Curtice |first=John |date=18 September 2013 |title=Scottish independence: What have the polls been saying? |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-24124631 |access-date=15 April 2014 |website=BBC News |publisher=BBC}}</ref> Polling expert [[Nate Silver]] said in 2013 that the yes campaign had "virtually no chance" of winning the referendum.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Higgins |first=Charlotte |date=13 August 2013 |title=Scottish independence campaign has almost no chance, says Nate Silver |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2013/aug/13/nate-silver-scottish-independence-referendum |access-date=15 April 2014}}</ref> After the referendum, Silver said that although his prediction had been proven "right" he had done little research beforehand.<ref name="silver post">{{Cite web |date=19 September 2014 |title=The Scotland Independence Polls Were Pretty Bad |url=http://fivethirtyeight.com/datalab/scotland-independence-referendum-polls-bad |access-date=27 October 2016 |website=FiveThirtyEight}}</ref> |
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The gap narrowed after the release of the Scottish government white paper on independence: an average of five polls in December 2013 and January 2014 gave 39% yes and 61% no, once 'don't knows' had been excluded.<ref>{{Cite web |date=27 January 2014 |title=Scottish independence: Are referendum polls on the move? |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-25917726 |access-date=15 April 2014 |website=BBC News |publisher=BBC}}</ref> The polls tightened further after the [[Chancellor of the Exchequer]], [[George Osborne]], stated in February that the UK government was opposed to a currency union; the average yes support increased to 43%, once 'don't knows' had been excluded.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Curtice |first=John |date=26 March 2014 |title=YouGov Reports Its Highest Yes Vote Yet |url=http://blog.whatscotlandthinks.org/2014/03/yougov-reports-its-highest-yes-vote-yet |access-date=15 April 2014 |website=www.whatscotlandthinks.org |publisher=ScotCen Social Research}}</ref> There was little movement in the following months, with the average continuing to show 43% yes and 57% no (excluding don't knows) in July 2014<ref>{{Cite web |last=Curtice |first=John |date=7 July 2014 |title=TNS BMRB Portray a Referendum Campaign Becalmed |url=http://blog.whatscotlandthinks.org/2014/07/tns-bmrb-portray-a-referendum-campaign-becalmed |access-date=7 July 2014 |website=www.whatscotlandthinks.org |publisher=ScotCen Social Research}}</ref> and August 2014.<ref name="aug 2014 summary">{{Cite web |last=Curtice |first=John |date=25 August 2014 |title=Scottish independence: 'Invaluable second chance' for Alex Salmond |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-28921754 |access-date=25 August 2014 |website=BBC News |publisher=BBC}}</ref> |
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In early September, polls indicated that the vote would be closer than had been indicated earlier. On 6 September a [[YouGov]] poll gave those in favour 47% versus 45% for those against; excluding those undecided, the figures were 51% and 49%, respectively.<ref>{{Cite web |date=7 September 2014 |title=Scottish independence: Vote 'will go to the wire' |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-29096458 |access-date=7 September 2014 |website=BBC News |publisher=BBC}}</ref> The final polls, taken in the last few days of the campaign, indicated a lead for No of between 4% and 6%.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Wintour |first=Patrick |date=18 September 2014 |title=Scottish Final poll of Scottish referendum campaign shows six-point lead for no |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2014/sep/18/final-poll-scottish-referendum-campaign |access-date=20 September 2014}}</ref> No [[exit poll]] was conducted. Soon after polling stations had closed, YouGov released a final poll that had been taken during the day of voting, indicating 46% Yes, 54% No.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Gardham |first=Magnus |title=YouGov poll prediction is borne out as council declarations flood in |newspaper=The Irish Times |location=Dublin |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/world/uk/high-turnout-expected-in-scottish-independence-vote-1.1933334 |access-date=19 September 2014}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=18 September 2014 |title=YouGov referendum prediction: YES 46%, NO 54% |publisher=YouGov |url=http://yougov.co.uk/news/2014/09/18/yougov-referendum-prediction/}}</ref> |
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Writing after the referendum, Nate Silver pointed out that the final margin of victory for No was greater than that indicated by the opinion polls.<ref name="silver post" /> He suggested that this could have been due to less enthusiastic voters being more pro-Union, which may not have been reflected in the polls.<ref name="silver post" /> Stephen Fisher, a sociology professor at [[Oxford University]], noted in a study of other constitutional referendums that pollsters had tended to overestimate the "Yes" option.<ref name="ukparlbriefing">{{Cite news |title=Scottish Independence Referendum 2014 – Commons Library Briefing |publisher=UK Parliament}}</ref> |
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== Voting == |
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=== Administration === |
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The Scottish Independence Referendum Bill identified the convener of the Electoral Management Board for Scotland as chief counting officer for the referendum.<ref name="ccoa">[http://www.electionsscotland.info/emb/download/downloads/id/52/count_timing_for_2014_scottish_independence_referendum Report of 30 August 2013: Scottish Independence Referendum: The Chief Counting Officer's Approach] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140917091221/http://www.electionsscotland.info/emb/download/downloads/id/52/count_timing_for_2014_scottish_independence_referendum |date=17 September 2014 }}, Accessed 14 September 2014</ref> The chief counting officer, [[Mary Pitcaithly]],<ref name="hfpss">[http://www.aberdeencity.gov.uk/nmsruntime/saveasdialog.asp?lID=58768&sID=25275 Handbook for polling station staff] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161005203644/http://www.aberdeencity.gov.uk/nmsruntime/saveasdialog.asp?lID=58768&sID=25275 |date=5 October 2016 }}, Accessed 14 September 2014</ref> was supported by a counting officer in each of the [[Council areas of Scotland|32 local authority areas of Scotland]],<ref name="hfpss" /> who was typically the chief executive for that local authority. Each counting officer had a referendum team, which included: |
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* electoral registration officers, who compiled and maintained the electoral register and lists of postal and proxy voters;<ref name="hfpss" /> |
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* presiding officers (one per polling place),<ref name="hfpss" /> responsible for the overall management of the polling place; |
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* poll clerks,<ref name="hfpss" /> who assisted the presiding officer at their polling place; and |
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* polling station inspectors (optional),<ref name="hfpss" /> who toured the area polling stations (the specific part/room of the polling place in which votes were cast). |
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=== Voting places and times === |
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Voting took place between 07:00 and 22:00 [[British Summer Time|BST]]<ref>{{Cite web |date=18 September 2014 |title=Scotland Votes as U.K.'s Future Hangs in the Balance |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-09-17/scotland-votes-as-u-k-s-future-hangs-in-the-balance.html |access-date=18 September 2014 |publisher=Bloomberg}}</ref> in "[[polling place]]s",<ref name="hfpss" /> which included schools, church halls, libraries and community centres. Those who were still queuing when polls closed were not denied the chance to vote.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Brooks |first=Libby |date=16 September 2014 |title=Scottish referendum voting officer promises no 'carnage' on polling day |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2014/sep/16/scottish-referendum-voting-no-carnage-polling-day |access-date=18 September 2014}}</ref> |
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=== Count of votes === |
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Counting began after polls closed. Votes from the 32 local government areas were counted and announced by each area separately.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Stabe |first1=Martin |last2=Wisniewska |first2=Aleksandra |title=Scotland's referendum count: When to expect what |work=[[Financial Times]] |url=http://www.ft.com/cms/s/2/e718e2b8-3e59-11e4-a620-00144feabdc0.html |access-date=17 September 2014}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Barford |first=Vanessa |date=15 September 2014 |title=Scottish independence: Guide to Scotland referendum night |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-29176884 |access-date=17 September 2014}}</ref> Results came in during the early hours of 19 September, with the first result being from Clackmannanshire, and the last being from Highland.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Scottish independence: referendum results – live |work=The Daily Telegraph |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/scottish-independence/11106839/Scottish-independence-referendum-results-live.html |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |access-date=19 September 2014 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/scottish-independence/11106839/Scottish-independence-referendum-results-live.html |archive-date=12 January 2022}}{{Cbignore}}</ref> |
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== Results == |
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55.3% voted against independence,<ref name="bbc-result">{{Cite web |date=19 September 2014 |title=Scottish referendum: Scotland votes no to independence |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-29270441 |access-date=19 September 2014 |website=BBC News |publisher=BBC}}</ref> with a turnout of 84.6%. 28 of the 32 council areas voted "No", although the four areas that voted "Yes" (Dundee, Glasgow, North Lanarkshire and West Dunbartonshire) contained over 20% of the Scottish electorate. |
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The overall turnout of 84.6% was very high for Scotland.<ref name="turnout" /> Turnout was around 50–60% for elections to the Scottish and UK parliaments in the early 21st century.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Scotland turnout – all elections 1997–2007 |url=http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Electionresults/2011%20election/5_Turnout_Region.pdf |access-date=19 September 2014 |publisher=Scottish Parliament}}</ref> The most recent [[United Kingdom general election]] with a comparable turnout was in [[1950 United Kingdom general election|1950]], when 83.9% voted.<ref name="turnout">{{Cite web |last=Jeavans |first=Christine |date=19 September 2014 |title=Scottish independence referendum in maps |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-29255449 |access-date=20 September 2014 |website=BBC News |publisher=BBC}}</ref> The last ballot in the United Kingdom with a higher turnout than 84.6% was in [[January 1910 United Kingdom general election|January 1910]], when no women and fewer men were allowed to vote (i.e., before [[universal suffrage]] applied to UK elections).<ref name="turnout" /> Of the 32 areas, East Dunbartonshire had the highest turnout at 91.0%, and Glasgow the lowest at 75.0%.<ref name="turnout" /> |
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An academic study, surveying 5,000 Scottish voters soon after the referendum, found that the majority for No was formed by an "unusual alliance" of the very young, average earners, [[Scottish Reformation|Protestants]] and women.<ref name="study">{{Cite web |last=Fraser |first=Douglas |date=18 September 2015 |title=Study examines referendum demographics |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-34283948 |access-date=19 September 2015 |website=BBC News |publisher=BBC}}</ref> The study supported polling evidence that there was a gender gap, but countered beliefs that higher earners had supported No and that younger voters had mostly voted Yes.<ref name="study" /> |
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According to [[John Curtice]], polling evidence indicates that support for independence was highest among those aged in their late 20s and early 30s, with a higher No vote among those aged between 16 and 24.<ref name="YesandNo">{{Cite web |last=Curtice |first=John |date=26 September 2014 |title=So Who Voted Yes and Who Voted No? |url=http://blog.whatscotlandthinks.org/2014/09/voted-yes-voted |access-date=4 August 2017 |website=What Scotland Thinks |publisher=Natcen}}</ref> There was an age gap at the referendum, with elderly voters being the most likely to vote against independence and younger voters aged under 55, except for those aged between 16 and 24, generally being more in favour of independence.<ref name="YesandNo" /> Those in [[C2DE]], or "[[working class]]", occupations were slightly more likely to vote in favour of independence than those in [[NRS social grade|ABC1]], or "[[middle class]]", occupations' however, there was a significant discrepancy in voting between those living in the most deprived areas and those living in the least deprived areas, with those in more deprived areas being significantly more likely to vote in favour of independence and those in more affluent areas being more likely to vote against independence.<ref name="YesandNo" /> This was picked up by other academics,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mooney |first=Gerry |date=2 March 2015 |title=The 2014 Scottish Independence Referendum – Uneven and unequal political geographies |url=http://www.open.edu/openlearn/people-politics-law/the-2014-scottish-independence-referendum-uneven-and-unequal-political-geographies |access-date=4 August 2017 |website=www.open.edu |publisher=The Open University}}</ref> with data from the [[Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation]] study from 2012 indicating that the six most deprived local authorities in Scotland returned the highest Yes vote shares at the referendum.<ref>{{Cite web |date=12 March 2013 |title=High Level Summary of Statistics Trend |url=http://www.gov.scot/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Social-Welfare/TrendSIMD |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170804213749/http://www.gov.scot/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Social-Welfare/TrendSIMD |archive-date=4 August 2017 |access-date=4 August 2017 |website=www.gov.scot |publisher=Scottish Government}}</ref> |
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=== Totals === |
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[[File:Scotland Independence Referendum Result 2014.png|thumb|Referendum result]] |
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{{Referendum |
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| title = |
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| yes = 1,617,989 |
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| yespct = 44.70 |
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| no = 2,001,926 |
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| nopct = 55.30 |
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| valid = 3,619,915 |
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| validpct = 99.91 |
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| invalid = 3,429 |
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| invalidpct = 0.09 |
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| total = 3,623,344 |
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| turnoutpct = 84.59 |
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| turnoutneeded = |
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| electorate = 4,283,392 |
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| source = [https://www.bbc.com/news/events/scotland-decides/results BBC News], [http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20140717013336/http://www.gro-scotland.gov.uk/statistics/theme/population/projections/scotland/2012-based/list-of-tables.html General Register Office for Scotland] |
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}} |
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{{Referendum bar |
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| title = Regional referendum |
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| text1 = Yes |
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| vote1 = 1,617,989 |
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| background1 = lightblue |
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| textcolor1 = #000 |
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| text2 = No |
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| vote2 = 2,001,926 |
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| background2 = #f99 |
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| textcolor2 = #000 |
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}} |
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=== By area === |
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<!--Yes colour: #9F9; No colour: #F99-->[[File:2014 Scottish Independence Referendum by Council Areas.svg|frame|Winner% and raw vote lead by council areas. Larger bubbles signify larger vote margins.]] |
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{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align: right" |
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|- |
|- |
||
! scope="col" style="width:22%"| Local authority <ref>{{Cite web |date=18 September 2014 |title=Scottish independence referendum – Results |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/events/scotland-decides/results |access-date=18 September 2014 |website=BBC News |publisher=BBC}}</ref> |
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! style="background:#efefef;" | Date |
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! scope="col" style="width:13%"| Yes votes |
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! style="background:green; color:white;"| Polling agency |
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! scope="col" style="width:13%"| No votes |
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! style="background:green; color:white;"| Support Independence (%) |
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! style=" |
! scope="col" style="width:13%"| Yes (%) |
||
! |
! scope="col" style="width:13%"| No (%) |
||
! scope="col" style="width:13%"| Valid votes |
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|- style="text-align:center;background:#eaeaea;" |
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! scope="col" style="width:13%"| Turnout (%) |
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| '''January 2012<ref>http://www.ipsos-mori.com/researchpublications/researcharchive/2912/Four-in-ten-Scots-back-independence.aspx</ref>''' || [[Ipsos MORI]] || 39 || 50 || 11 |
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|- style="text-align:center;background:#eaeaea;" |
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| '''8 February 2012<ref>http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/158497</ref>''' || [[YouGov]] || 30 || 54 || - |
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|- style="text-align:center;background:#eaeaea;" |
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| '''June 2012<ref>http://www.ipsos-mori.com/researchpublications/researcharchive/2980/m/researchpublications/researcharchive/2912/Four-in-ten-Scots-back-independence.aspx</ref>''' || Ipsos MORI || 35 || 55 || 10 |
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|- style="text-align:center;background:#eaeaea;" |
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| '''19 August 2012'''<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/salmond-to-select-timing-of-scottish-referendum-8061668.html|title=Salmond to select timing of Scottish referendum|work=The Independent|first=Andy|last=McSmith|date=20 August 2012|accessdate=20 August 2012|publisher=}}</ref> || YouGov || 27 || 60 || 13 |
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|- |
|- |
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|scope="row" style="text-align:left"|[[Aberdeen]] |
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| 59,390 |
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| '''84,094''' |
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| 41.4% |
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|{{No|'''58.6%'''|align=right}} |
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| 143,484 |
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| 81.7% |
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|- |
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|scope="row" style="text-align:left"|[[Aberdeenshire]] |
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|71,337 |
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|'''108,606''' |
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| 39.6% |
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|{{No|'''60.4%'''|align=right}} |
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| 179,943 |
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| 87.2% |
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|- |
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|scope="row" style="text-align:left"|[[Angus, Scotland|Angus]] |
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|35,044 |
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|'''45,192''' |
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|43.7% |
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|{{No|'''56.3%'''|align=right}} |
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|80,236 |
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| 85.7% |
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|- |
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|scope="row" style="text-align:left"|[[Argyll and Bute]] |
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|26,324 |
|||
|'''37,143''' |
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|41.5% |
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|{{No|'''58.5%'''|align=right}} |
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|63,467 |
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|88.2% |
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|- |
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|scope="row" style="text-align:left"|[[Clackmannanshire]] |
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| 16,350 |
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| '''19,036''' |
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|46.2% |
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|{{No|'''53.8%'''|align=right}} |
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| 35,386 |
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|88.6% |
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|- |
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|scope="row" style="text-align:left"|[[Dumfries and Galloway]] |
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|36,614 |
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|'''70,039''' |
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|34.3% |
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|{{No|'''65.7%'''|align=right}} |
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|106,653 |
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| 87.5% |
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|- |
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|scope="row" style="text-align:left"|[[Dundee]] |
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|'''53,620''' |
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|39,880 |
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{{Cell|lightblue|'''57.3%'''|align=right|style=font-size:100%;}} |
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|42.7% |
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|93,500 |
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| 78.8% |
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|- |
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|scope="row" style="text-align:left"|[[East Ayrshire]] |
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|39,762 |
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|'''44,442''' |
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|47.2% |
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|{{No|'''52.8%'''|align=right}} |
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|84,204 |
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| 84.5% |
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|- |
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|scope="row" style="text-align:left"|[[East Dunbartonshire]] |
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|30,624 |
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|'''48,314''' |
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|38.8% |
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|{{No|'''61.2%'''|align=right}} |
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|78,938 |
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|91.0% |
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|- |
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|scope="row" style="text-align:left"|[[East Lothian]] |
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|27,467 |
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|'''44,283''' |
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|38.3% |
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|{{No|'''61.7%'''|align=right}} |
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|71,750 |
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| 87.6% |
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|- |
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|scope="row" style="text-align:left"|[[East Renfrewshire]] |
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|24,287 |
|||
|'''41,690''' |
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|36.8% |
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|{{No|'''63.2%'''|align=right}} |
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|65,977 |
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| 90.4% |
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|- |
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|scope="row" style="text-align:left"|[[Edinburgh]] |
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|123,927 |
|||
|'''194,638''' |
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| 38.9% |
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|{{No|'''61.1%'''|align=right}} |
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|318,565 |
|||
|84.4% |
|||
|- |
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|scope="row" style="text-align:left"|[[Comhairle nan Eilean Siar|Eilean Siar]] |
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| 9,195 |
|||
| '''10,544''' |
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|46.6% |
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|{{No|'''53.4%'''|align=right}} |
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| 19,739 |
|||
|86.2% |
|||
|- |
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|scope="row" style="text-align:left"|[[Falkirk (council area)|Falkirk]] |
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|50,489 |
|||
|'''58,030''' |
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|46.5% |
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|{{No|'''53.5%'''|align=right}} |
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|108,519 |
|||
| 88.7% |
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|- |
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|scope="row" style="text-align:left"|[[Fife]] |
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|114,148 |
|||
|'''139,788''' |
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| 45.0% |
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|{{No|'''55.0%'''|align=right}} |
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|253,936 |
|||
|84.1% |
|||
|- |
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|scope="row" style="text-align:left"|[[Glasgow]] |
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| '''194,779''' |
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| 169,347 |
|||
{{Cell|lightblue|'''53.5%'''|align=right|style=font-size:100%;}} |
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|46.5% |
|||
| 364,126 |
|||
| 75.0% |
|||
|- |
|||
|scope="row" style="text-align:left"|[[Highland (council area)|Highland]] |
|||
|78,069 |
|||
|'''87,739''' |
|||
| 47.1% |
|||
|{{No|'''52.9%'''|align=right}} |
|||
|165,808 |
|||
| 87.0% |
|||
|- |
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|scope="row" style="text-align:left"|[[Inverclyde]] |
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|27,243 |
|||
|'''27,329''' |
|||
|49.9% |
|||
|{{No|'''50.1%'''|align=right}} |
|||
|54,572 |
|||
| 87.4% |
|||
|- |
|||
|scope="row" style="text-align:left"|[[Midlothian]] |
|||
|26,370 |
|||
|'''33,972''' |
|||
|43.7% |
|||
|{{No|'''56.3%'''|align=right}} |
|||
|60,342 |
|||
| 86.8% |
|||
|- |
|||
|scope="row" style="text-align:left"|[[Moray]] |
|||
|27,232 |
|||
|'''36,935''' |
|||
| 42.4% |
|||
|{{No|'''57.6%'''|align=right}} |
|||
|64,167 |
|||
| 85.4% |
|||
|- |
|||
|scope="row" style="text-align:left"|[[North Ayrshire]] |
|||
|47,072 |
|||
|'''49,016''' |
|||
|48.9% |
|||
|{{No|'''51.1%'''|align=right}} |
|||
| 96,088 |
|||
| 84.4% |
|||
|- |
|||
|scope="row" style="text-align:left"|[[North Lanarkshire]] |
|||
|'''115,783''' |
|||
|110,922 |
|||
{{Cell|lightblue|'''51.1%'''|align=right|style=font-size:100%;}} |
|||
|48.9% |
|||
|226,705 |
|||
| 84.4% |
|||
|- |
|||
|scope="row" style="text-align:left"|[[Orkney]] |
|||
|4,883 |
|||
|'''10,004''' |
|||
|32.8% |
|||
|{{No|'''67.2%'''|align=right}} |
|||
|14,887 |
|||
|83.7% |
|||
|- |
|||
|scope="row" style="text-align:left"|[[Perth and Kinross]] |
|||
|41,475 |
|||
|'''62,714''' |
|||
|39.8% |
|||
|{{No|'''60.2%'''|align=right}} |
|||
|104,189 |
|||
| 86.9% |
|||
|- |
|||
|scope="row" style="text-align:left"|[[Renfrewshire]] |
|||
|55,466 |
|||
|'''62,067''' |
|||
|47.2% |
|||
|{{No|'''52.8%'''|align=right}} |
|||
|117,533 |
|||
| 87.3% |
|||
|- |
|||
|scope="row" style="text-align:left"|[[Scottish Borders]] |
|||
|27,906 |
|||
|'''55,553''' |
|||
|33.4% |
|||
|{{No|'''66.6%'''|align=right}} |
|||
|83,459 |
|||
| 87.4% |
|||
|- |
|||
|scope="row" style="text-align:left"|[[Shetland]] |
|||
| 5,669 |
|||
| '''9,951''' |
|||
|36.3% |
|||
|{{No|'''63.7%'''|align=right}} |
|||
| 15,620 |
|||
| 84.4% |
|||
|- |
|||
|scope="row" style="text-align:left"|[[South Ayrshire]] |
|||
| 34,402 |
|||
| '''47,247''' |
|||
|42.1% |
|||
|{{No|'''57.9%'''|align=right}} |
|||
| 81,649 |
|||
| 86.1% |
|||
|- |
|||
|scope="row" style="text-align:left"|[[South Lanarkshire]] |
|||
|100,990 |
|||
|'''121,800''' |
|||
|45.3% |
|||
|{{No|'''54.7%'''|align=right}} |
|||
|222,790 |
|||
| 85.3% |
|||
|- |
|||
|scope="row" style="text-align:left"|[[Stirling (council area)|Stirling]] |
|||
|25,010 |
|||
|'''37,153''' |
|||
|40.2% |
|||
|{{No|'''59.8%'''|align=right}} |
|||
| 62,163 |
|||
| 90.1% |
|||
|- |
|||
|scope="row" style="text-align:left"|[[West Dunbartonshire]] |
|||
|'''33,720''' |
|||
|28,776 |
|||
{{Cell|lightblue|'''54.0%'''|align=right|style=font-size:100%;}} |
|||
|46.0% |
|||
|62,396 |
|||
| 87.9% |
|||
|- |
|||
|scope="row" style="text-align:left"|[[West Lothian]] |
|||
|53,342 |
|||
|'''65,682''' |
|||
|44.8% |
|||
|{{No|'''55.2%'''|align=right}} |
|||
|119,024 |
|||
| 86.2% |
|||
|- |
|||
! scope="row"| Scotland |
|||
!1,617,989 |
|||
!2,001,926 |
|||
!44.7% |
|||
!style="background: crimson; color: white"|55.3% |
|||
!3,619,915 |
|||
! 84.6% |
|||
|} |
|} |
||
<br> |
|||
==== By UK Parliament constituency ==== |
|||
{| class="sortable" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="1" style="margin:auto;border:solid 1px gray;" |
|||
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align: right" |
|||
|- |
|- |
||
! rowspan=2 colspan=2 | Constituency |
|||
! style="background:#efefef;" | Date |
|||
! rowspan=2 | Member of Parliament |
|||
! style="background:green; color:white;"| Polling agency |
|||
! rowspan=2 colspan=2 | Majority (2010) |
|||
! style="background:green; color:white;"| Support Independence (%) |
|||
! colspan=2 | Number of votes |
|||
! style="background:orange; color:white;"| Support Devomax (%) |
|||
! colspan=2 | Proportion of votes |
|||
! style="background:red; color:white;"| Support Status quo (%) |
|||
! rowspan=2 | Valid votes |
|||
! style="background:white; color:black;"| Undecided (%) |
|||
! rowspan=2 | Notes |
|||
|- style="text-align:center;background:#eaeaea;" |
|||
| '''1 November 2011<ref name = "polling report"/>''' || [[BMRB Ltd|TNS BMRB]] || 28 || 33 || 29 || 10 |
|||
|- |
|- |
||
! scope="col" style="width:13%"| Yes votes |
|||
|- style="text-align:center;background:#eaeaea;" |
|||
! scope="col" style="width:13%"| No votes |
|||
| '''13 January 2012<ref name = "polling report">http://ukpollingreport.co.uk/scottish-independence</ref>''' || [[ICM Research|ICM]] || 26 || 26 || 33 || 10 |
|||
! Yes (%) |
|||
! No (%) |
|||
|- |
|- |
||
| bgcolor="{{Party color|Liberal Democrats (UK)}}" | |
|||
| scope="row" style="text-align:left"|[[Argyll and Bute (UK Parliament constituency)|Argyll and Bute]] |
|||
| style="text-align:center;"|[[Alan Reid (politician)|Alan Reid]] |
|||
| bgcolor="{{Party color|Liberal Democrats (UK)}}" | |
|||
| style="text-align: center;" | <small>7.6%</small> |
|||
|26,324 |
|||
|'''37,143''' |
|||
|41.5% |
|||
|{{No|'''58.5%'''|align=right}} |
|||
|63,467 |
|||
| |
|||
|- |
|||
| bgcolor="{{Party color|Labour Party (UK)}}" | |
|||
| scope="row" style="text-align:left"|[[East Lothian (UK Parliament constituency)|East Lothian]] |
|||
| style="text-align:center;"|[[Fiona O'Donnell]] |
|||
| bgcolor="{{Party color|Labour Party (UK)}}" | |
|||
| style="text-align: center;" | <small>24.9%</small> |
|||
|27,467 |
|||
|'''44,283''' |
|||
|38.3% |
|||
|{{No|'''61.7%'''|align=right}} |
|||
|71,750 |
|||
| |
|||
|- |
|||
| bgcolor="{{Party color|Labour Party (UK)}}" | |
|||
| scope="row" style="text-align:left"|[[East Renfrewshire (UK Parliament constituency)|East Renfrewshire]] |
|||
| style="text-align:center;"|[[Jim Murphy]] |
|||
| bgcolor="{{Party color|Labour Party (UK)}}" | |
|||
| style="text-align: center;" | <small>20.4%</small> |
|||
|24,287 |
|||
|'''41,690''' |
|||
|36.8% |
|||
|{{No|'''63.2%'''|align=right}} |
|||
|65,977 |
|||
| |
|||
|- |
|||
| bgcolor="{{Party color|Labour Party (UK)}}" | |
|||
| scope="row" style="text-align:left"|[[Edinburgh East]] |
|||
| style="text-align:center;"|[[Sheila Gilmore]] |
|||
| bgcolor="{{Party color|Labour Party (UK)}}" | |
|||
| style="text-align: center;" | <small>23.0%</small> |
|||
|27,500 |
|||
|'''30,632''' |
|||
|47.3% |
|||
|{{No|'''52.7%'''|align=right}} |
|||
|58,232 |
|||
| <ref name="Voting totals for the City of Edinburgh">{{Cite web |date=19 September 2014 |title=Scottish Independence Referendum Results |url=http://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/downloads/file/3976/analysis_of_voting_totals_in_the_scottish_independence_referendum_for_the_city_of_edinburgh_area |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160806181952/http://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/downloads/file/3976/analysis_of_voting_totals_in_the_scottish_independence_referendum_for_the_city_of_edinburgh_area |archive-date=6 August 2016 |access-date=3 June 2016 |publisher=City of Edinburgh council}}</ref> |
|||
|- |
|||
| bgcolor="{{Party color|Labour Party (UK)}}" | |
|||
| scope="row" style="text-align:left"|[[Edinburgh North and Leith (UK Parliament constituency)|Edinburgh North and Leith]] |
|||
| style="text-align:center;"|[[Mark Lazarowicz]] |
|||
| bgcolor="{{Party color|Labour Party (UK)}}" | |
|||
| style="text-align: center;" | <small>3.6%</small> |
|||
|28,813 |
|||
|'''43,253''' |
|||
|40.0% |
|||
|{{No|'''60.0%'''|align=right}} |
|||
|72,181 |
|||
| <ref name="Voting totals for the City of Edinburgh" /> |
|||
|- |
|||
| bgcolor="{{Party color|Labour Party (UK)}}" | |
|||
| scope="row" style="text-align:left"|[[Edinburgh South (UK Parliament constituency)|Edinburgh South]] |
|||
| style="text-align:center;"|[[Ian Murray (Scottish politician)|Ian Murray]] |
|||
| bgcolor="{{Party color|Labour Party (UK)}}" | |
|||
| style="text-align: center;" | <small>0.7%</small> |
|||
|20,340 |
|||
|'''38,298''' |
|||
|34.7% |
|||
|{{No|'''65.3%'''|align=right}} |
|||
|58,738 |
|||
| <ref name="Voting totals for the City of Edinburgh" /> |
|||
|- |
|||
| bgcolor="{{Party color|Labour Party (UK)}}" | |
|||
| scope="row" style="text-align:left"|[[Edinburgh South West]] |
|||
| style="text-align:center;"|[[Alistair Darling]] |
|||
| bgcolor="{{Party color|Labour Party (UK)}}" | |
|||
| style="text-align: center;" | <small>18.6%</small> |
|||
|24,659 |
|||
|'''39,509''' |
|||
|38.4% |
|||
|{{No|'''61.6%'''|align=right}} |
|||
|64,249 |
|||
| <ref name="Voting totals for the City of Edinburgh" /> |
|||
|- |
|||
| bgcolor="{{Party color|Liberal Democrats (UK)}}" | |
|||
| scope="row" style="text-align:left"|[[Edinburgh West (UK Parliament constituency)|Edinburgh West]] |
|||
| style="text-align:center;"|[[Mike Crockart]] |
|||
| bgcolor="{{Party color|Liberal Democrats (UK)}}" | |
|||
| style="text-align: center;" | <small>8.2%</small> |
|||
|22,615 |
|||
|'''42,946''' |
|||
|34.5% |
|||
|{{No|'''65.5%'''|align=right}} |
|||
|65,625 |
|||
| <ref name="Voting totals for the City of Edinburgh" /> |
|||
|- |
|||
| bgcolor="{{Party color|Scottish National Party}}" | |
|||
| scope="row" style="text-align:left"|[[Na h-Eileanan an Iar (UK Parliament constituency)|Na h-Eileanan an Iar]] |
|||
| style="text-align:center;"|[[Angus MacNeil]] |
|||
| bgcolor="{{Party color|Scottish National Party}}" | |
|||
| style="text-align: center;" | <small>12.8%</small> |
|||
|9,195 |
|||
|'''10,544''' |
|||
|46.6% |
|||
|{{No|'''53.4%'''|align=right}} |
|||
|19,739 |
|||
| |
|||
|- |
|||
| bgcolor="{{Party color|Labour Party (UK)}}" | |
|||
| scope="row" style="text-align:left"|[[Inverclyde (UK Parliament constituency)|Inverclyde]] |
|||
| style="text-align:center;"|[[Iain McKenzie]] |
|||
| bgcolor="{{Party color|Labour Party (UK)}}" | |
|||
| style="text-align: center;" | <small>20.8%</small> |
|||
|27,243 |
|||
|'''27,329''' |
|||
|49.9% |
|||
|{{No|'''50.1%'''|align=right}} |
|||
|54,572 |
|||
| |
|||
|- |
|||
| bgcolor="{{Party color|Labour Party (UK)}}" | |
|||
| scope="row" style="text-align:left"|[[Midlothian (UK Parliament constituency)|Midlothian]] |
|||
| style="text-align:center;"|[[David Hamilton (British politician)|David Hamilton]] |
|||
| bgcolor="{{Party color|Labour Party (UK)}}" | |
|||
| style="text-align: center;" | <small>26.4%</small> |
|||
|26,370 |
|||
|'''33,972''' |
|||
|43.7% |
|||
|{{No|'''56.3%'''|align=right}} |
|||
|60,342 |
|||
| |
|||
|- |
|||
| bgcolor="{{Party color|Scottish National Party}}" | |
|||
| scope="row" style="text-align:left"|[[Moray (UK Parliament constituency)|Moray]] |
|||
| style="text-align:center;"|[[Angus Robertson]] |
|||
| bgcolor="{{Party color|Scottish National Party}}" | |
|||
| style="text-align: center;" | <small>13.6%</small> |
|||
|27,232 |
|||
|'''36,935''' |
|||
|42.4% |
|||
|{{No|'''57.6%'''|align=right}} |
|||
|64,167 |
|||
| |
|||
|- |
|||
| bgcolor="{{Party color|Liberal Democrats (UK)}}" | |
|||
| scope="row" style="text-align:left"|[[Orkney and Shetland (UK Parliament constituency)|Orkney and Shetland]] |
|||
| style="text-align:center;"|[[Alistair Carmichael]] |
|||
| bgcolor="{{Party color|Liberal Democrats (UK)}}" | |
|||
| style="text-align: center;" | <small>51.3%</small> |
|||
|10,552 |
|||
|'''19,955''' |
|||
|34.6% |
|||
|{{No|'''65.4%'''|align=right}} |
|||
|30,507 |
|||
| |
|||
|- |
|||
| bgcolor="{{Party color|Labour Party (UK)}}" | |
|||
| scope="row" style="text-align:left"|[[Stirling (UK Parliament constituency)|Stirling]] |
|||
| style="text-align:center;"|[[Anne McGuire]] |
|||
| bgcolor="{{Party color|Labour Party (UK)}}" | |
|||
| style="text-align: center;" | <small>17.9%</small> |
|||
|25,010 |
|||
|'''37,153''' |
|||
|40.2% |
|||
|{{No|'''59.8%'''|align=right}} |
|||
|62,163 |
|||
| |
|||
|- |
|||
| bgcolor="{{Party color|Labour Party (UK)}}" | |
|||
| scope="row" style="text-align:left"|[[West Dunbartonshire (UK Parliament constituency)|West Dunbartonshire]] |
|||
| style="text-align:center;"|[[Gemma Doyle (politician)|Gemma Doyle]] |
|||
| bgcolor="{{Party color|Labour Party (UK)}}" | |
|||
| style="text-align: center;" | <small>41.2%</small> |
|||
|'''33,720''' |
|||
|28,776 |
|||
{{Cell|lightblue|'''54.0%'''|align=right|style=font-size:100%;}} |
|||
|46.0% |
|||
|62,396 |
|||
| |
|||
|- |
|||
| colspan="11" scope="row" style="text-align:center"| '''''Notes:''''' This is an incomplete list as not all local authorities counted by ward or constituency. <br />The constituency results are primarily obtained through local authority breakdowns of the result or the constituency boundaries being co-terminous with the local government district.<br /> |
|||
|} |
|} |
||
==== By Scottish Parliament constituency ==== |
|||
==Potential consequences== |
|||
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align: right" |
|||
According to the Scottish Government's consultation paper published on 25 February 2010, if there was a 'yes, yes' outcome of the poll, then following the "necessary negotiations" between the Scottish and UK governments, "it would then be for the Scottish and UK parliaments to act on the expressed will of the Scottish people".<ref name=ScottishGovernmentReferendumBillConsultationPaper25Feb2010/> If there was a yes vote for Proposal 1 (further devolution) but not Proposal 2 (powers for independence), then depending on the measures voted for, they would be implemented by an [[Act of Parliament in the UK|Act of Parliament]], [[Order in Council|Orders in Council]], or a combination of the two.<ref name=ScottishGovernmentReferendumBillConsultationPaper25Feb2010/> |
|||
|- |
|||
! rowspan=2 colspan=2 | Constituency |
|||
! rowspan=2 | Member of Scottish Parliament |
|||
! rowspan=2 colspan=2 | Majority (2011) |
|||
! colspan=2 | Number of votes |
|||
! colspan=2 | Proportion of votes |
|||
! rowspan=2 | Valid votes |
|||
! rowspan=2 | Notes |
|||
|- |
|||
! scope="col" style="width:13%"| Yes votes |
|||
! scope="col" style="width:13%"| No votes |
|||
! Yes (%) |
|||
! No (%) |
|||
|- |
|||
| bgcolor="{{Party color|Scottish National Party}}" | |
|||
| scope="row" style="text-align:left"|[[Clydesdale (Scottish Parliament constituency)|Clydesdale]] |
|||
| style="text-align:center;"|[[Aileen Campbell]] |
|||
| bgcolor="{{Party color|Scottish National Party}}" | |
|||
| style="text-align: center;" | <small>14.1%</small> |
|||
|16,733 |
|||
|'''25,391''' |
|||
|39.8% |
|||
|{{No|'''60.3%'''|align=right}} |
|||
|42,124 |
|||
|<ref name="South Lanarkshire council area breakdown">{{Cite web |last=Council |first=South Lanarkshire |title=South Lanarkshire Council area breakdown Elections – South Lanarkshire Council |url=http://www.southlanarkshire.gov.uk/downloads/file/9178/south_lanarkshire_council_area_breakdown}}</ref> |
|||
|- |
|||
| bgcolor="{{Party color|Scottish National Party}}" | |
|||
| scope="row" style="text-align:left"|[[Cumbernauld and Kilsyth (Scottish Parliament constituency)|Cumbernauld and Kilsyth]] |
|||
| style="text-align:center;"|[[Jamie Hepburn]] |
|||
| bgcolor="{{Party color|Scottish National Party}}" | |
|||
| style="text-align: center;" | <small>13.7%</small> |
|||
|'''30,821''' |
|||
|28,486 |
|||
{{Cell|lightblue|'''52.0%'''|align=right|style=font-size:100%;}} |
|||
|48.0% |
|||
|59,307 |
|||
|<ref name="Referendum results for North Lanarkshire">{{Cite web |last=Service Manager |first=Scott House |date=18 September 2014 |title=Referendum result for North Lanarkshire |url=http://www.northlanarkshire.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=30888}}</ref> |
|||
|- |
|||
| bgcolor="{{Party color|Scottish National Party}}" | |
|||
| scope="row" style="text-align:left"|[[East Kilbride (Scottish Parliament constituency)|East Kilbride]] |
|||
| style="text-align:center;"|[[Linda Fabiani]] |
|||
| bgcolor="{{Party color|Scottish National Party}}" | |
|||
| style="text-align: center;" | <small>6.5%</small> |
|||
|31,309 |
|||
|'''36,365''' |
|||
|46.3% |
|||
|{{No|'''53.7%'''|align=right}} |
|||
|67,674 |
|||
|<ref name="South Lanarkshire council area breakdown" /> |
|||
|- |
|||
| bgcolor="{{Party color|Scottish National Party}}" | |
|||
| scope="row" style="text-align:left"|[[Falkirk East (Scottish Parliament constituency)|Falkirk East]] |
|||
| style="text-align:center;"|[[Angus MacDonald (MSP)|Angus MacDonald]] |
|||
| bgcolor="{{Party color|Scottish National Party}}" | |
|||
| style="text-align: center;" | <small>12.6%</small> |
|||
|24,757 |
|||
|'''29,754''' |
|||
|45.4% |
|||
|{{No|'''54.5%'''|align=right}} |
|||
|54,511 |
|||
|<ref name="Falkirk area breakdowns">{{Cite web |title=Referendum results – Scottish Independence Referendum Results {{pipe}} Falkirk Council |url=https://www.falkirk.gov.uk/services/council-democracy/elections-voting/referendum-results/scottish-independence-referendum-results.aspx |website=www.falkirk.gov.uk}}</ref> |
|||
|- |
|||
| bgcolor="{{Party color|Scottish National Party}}" | |
|||
| scope="row" style="text-align:left"|[[Falkirk West (Scottish Parliament constituency)|Falkirk West]] |
|||
| style="text-align:center;"|[[Michael Matheson (politician)|Michael Matheson]] |
|||
| bgcolor="{{Party color|Scottish National Party}}" | |
|||
| style="text-align: center;" | <small>20.4%</small> |
|||
|25,732 |
|||
|'''28,276''' |
|||
|47.6% |
|||
|{{No|'''52.3%'''|align=right}} |
|||
|54,008 |
|||
|<ref name="Falkirk area breakdowns" /> |
|||
|- |
|||
| bgcolor="{{Party color|Scottish National Party}}" | |
|||
| scope="row" style="text-align:left"|[[Glasgow Anniesland (Scottish Parliament constituency)|Glasgow Anniesland]] |
|||
| style="text-align:center;"|[[Bill Kidd]] |
|||
| bgcolor="{{Party color|Scottish National Party}}" | |
|||
| style="text-align: center;" | <small>0.0%</small> |
|||
|'''23,718''' |
|||
|22,976 |
|||
{{Cell|lightblue|'''50.8%'''|align=right|style=font-size:100%;}} |
|||
|49.2% |
|||
|46,694 |
|||
|<ref name="Glasgow Mini Counts">{{Cite web |date=18 September 2014 |title=SCOTTISH INDEPENDENCE REFERENDUM 2014 GLASGOW PARTIAL TOTAL |url=https://www.glasgow.gov.uk/CHttpHandler.ashx?id=22501&p=0 |access-date=30 June 2021 |website=[[Glasgow City Council]]}}</ref> |
|||
|- |
|||
| bgcolor="{{Party color|Scottish National Party}}" | |
|||
| scope="row" style="text-align:left"|[[Glasgow Cathcart (Scottish Parliament constituency)|Glasgow Cathcart]] |
|||
| style="text-align:center;"|[[James Dornan]] |
|||
| bgcolor="{{Party color|Scottish National Party}}" | |
|||
| style="text-align: center;" | <small>6.1%</small> |
|||
|'''26,499''' |
|||
|23,688 |
|||
{{Cell|lightblue|'''52.8%'''|align=right|style=font-size:100%;}} |
|||
|47.2% |
|||
|50,187 |
|||
|<ref name="Glasgow Mini Counts" /> |
|||
|- |
|||
| bgcolor="{{Party color|Scottish National Party}}" | |
|||
| scope="row" style="text-align:left"|[[Glasgow Kelvin (Scottish Parliament constituency)|Glasgow Kelvin]] |
|||
| style="text-align:center;"|[[Sandra White]] |
|||
| bgcolor="{{Party color|Scottish National Party}}" | |
|||
| style="text-align: center;" | <small>3.6%</small> |
|||
|'''23,976''' |
|||
|21,742 |
|||
{{Cell|lightblue|'''52.4%'''|align=right|style=font-size:100%;}} |
|||
|47.6% |
|||
|45,718 |
|||
|<ref name="Glasgow Mini Counts" /> |
|||
|- |
|||
| bgcolor="{{Party color|Scottish Labour Party}}" | |
|||
| scope="row" style="text-align:left"|[[Glasgow Maryhill and Springburn]] |
|||
| style="text-align:center;"|[[Patricia Ferguson]] |
|||
| bgcolor="{{Party color|Scottish Labour Party}}" | |
|||
| style="text-align: center;" | <small>6.3%</small> |
|||
|'''24,079''' |
|||
|18,094 |
|||
{{Cell|lightblue|'''57.1%'''|align=right|style=font-size:100%;}} |
|||
|42.9% |
|||
|42,173 |
|||
|<ref name="Glasgow Mini Counts" /> |
|||
|- |
|||
| bgcolor="{{Party color|Scottish Labour Party}}" | |
|||
| scope="row" style="text-align:left"|[[Glasgow Pollok (Scottish Parliament constituency)|Glasgow Pollok]] |
|||
| style="text-align:center;"|[[Johann Lamont]] |
|||
| bgcolor="{{Party color|Scottish Labour Party}}" | |
|||
| style="text-align: center;" | <small>2.7%</small> |
|||
|'''26,807''' |
|||
|22,956 |
|||
{{Cell|lightblue|'''53.9%'''|align=right|style=font-size:100%;}} |
|||
|46.1% |
|||
|49,763 |
|||
|<ref name="Glasgow Mini Counts" /> |
|||
|- |
|||
| bgcolor="{{Party color|Scottish Labour Party}}" | |
|||
| scope="row" style="text-align:left"|[[Glasgow Provan (Scottish Parliament constituency)|Glasgow Provan]] |
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| style="text-align:center;"|[[Paul Martin (Scottish politician)|Paul Martin]] |
|||
| bgcolor="{{Party color|Scottish Labour Party}}" | |
|||
| style="text-align: center;" | <small>10.8%</small> |
|||
|'''25,217''' |
|||
|19,046 |
|||
{{Cell|lightblue|'''57.0%'''|align=right|style=font-size:100%;}} |
|||
|43.0% |
|||
|44,263 |
|||
|<ref name="Glasgow Mini Counts" /> |
|||
|- |
|||
| bgcolor="{{Party color|Scottish National Party}}" | |
|||
| scope="row" style="text-align:left"|[[Glasgow Shettleston (Scottish Parliament constituency)|Glasgow Shettleston]] |
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| style="text-align:center;"|[[John Mason (Scottish politician)|John Mason]] |
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| bgcolor="{{Party color|Scottish National Party}}" | |
|||
| style="text-align: center;" | <small>2.8%</small> |
|||
|'''23,137''' |
|||
|21,911 |
|||
{{Cell|lightblue|'''51.3%'''|align=right|style=font-size:100%;}} |
|||
|48.7% |
|||
|45,102 |
|||
|<ref name="Glasgow Mini Counts" /> |
|||
|- |
|||
| bgcolor="{{Party color|Scottish National Party}}" | |
|||
| scope="row" style="text-align:left"|[[Glasgow Southside]] |
|||
| style="text-align:center;"|[[Nicola Sturgeon]] |
|||
| bgcolor="{{Party color|Scottish National Party}}" | |
|||
| style="text-align: center;" | <small>19.2%</small> |
|||
|'''21,346''' |
|||
|18,934 |
|||
{{Cell|lightblue|'''53.0%'''|align=right|style=font-size:100%;}} |
|||
|47.0% |
|||
|40,280 |
|||
|<ref name="Glasgow Mini Counts" /> |
|||
|- |
|||
| bgcolor="{{Party color|Scottish National Party}}" | |
|||
| scope="row" style="text-align:left"|[[Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse]] |
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| style="text-align:center;"|[[Christina McKelvie]] |
|||
| bgcolor="{{Party color|Scottish National Party}}" | |
|||
| style="text-align: center;" | <small>8.7%</small> |
|||
|32,104 |
|||
|'''39,129''' |
|||
|45.1% |
|||
|{{No|'''54.9%'''|align=right}} |
|||
|71,233 |
|||
|<ref name="South Lanarkshire council area breakdown" /> |
|||
|- |
|||
| bgcolor="{{Party color|Scottish Labour Party}}" | |
|||
| scope="row" style="text-align:left"|[[Motherwell and Wishaw (Scottish Parliament constituency)|Motherwell and Wishaw]] |
|||
| style="text-align:center;"|[[John Pentland]] |
|||
| bgcolor="{{Party color|Scottish Labour Party}}" | |
|||
| style="text-align: center;" | <small>2.4%</small> |
|||
|'''29,102''' |
|||
|27,848 |
|||
{{Cell|lightblue|'''51.1%'''|align=right|style=font-size:100%;}} |
|||
|48.9% |
|||
|59,307 |
|||
|<ref name="Referendum results for North Lanarkshire" /> |
|||
|- |
|||
| bgcolor="{{Party color|Scottish National Party}}" | |
|||
| scope="row" style="text-align:left"|[[Na h-Eileanan an Iar (Scottish Parliament constituency)|Na h-Eileanan an Iar]] |
|||
| style="text-align:center;"|[[Alasdair Allan]] |
|||
| bgcolor="{{Party color|Scottish National Party}}" | |
|||
| style="text-align: center;" | <small>36.7%</small> |
|||
|9,195 |
|||
|'''10,544''' |
|||
|46.6% |
|||
|{{No|'''53.4%'''|align=right}} |
|||
|19,739 |
|||
| |
|||
|- |
|||
| bgcolor="{{Party color|Scottish Liberal Democrats}}" | |
|||
| scope="row" style="text-align:left"|[[Orkney (Scottish Parliament constituency)|Orkney]] |
|||
| style="text-align:center;"|[[Liam McArthur]] |
|||
| bgcolor="{{Party color|Scottish Liberal Democrats}}" | |
|||
| style="text-align: center;" | <small>10.5%</small> |
|||
|4,883 |
|||
|'''10,004''' |
|||
|32.8% |
|||
|{{No|'''67.2%'''|align=right}} |
|||
|14,887 |
|||
| |
|||
|- |
|||
| bgcolor="{{Party color|Scottish National Party}}" | |
|||
| scope="row" style="text-align:left"|[[Paisley (Scottish Parliament constituency)|Paisley]] |
|||
| style="text-align:center;"|[[George Adam]] |
|||
| bgcolor="{{Party color|Scottish National Party}}" | |
|||
| style="text-align: center;" | <small>0.9%</small> |
|||
|'''22,040''' |
|||
|21,690 |
|||
{{Cell|lightblue|'''50.4%'''|align=right|style=font-size:100%;}} |
|||
|49.6% |
|||
|43,730 |
|||
| |
|||
|- |
|||
| bgcolor="{{Party color|Scottish Labour Party}}" | |
|||
| scope="row" style="text-align:left"|[[Rutherglen (Scottish Parliament constituency)|Rutherglen]] |
|||
| style="text-align:center;"|[[James Kelly (Scottish politician)|James Kelly]] |
|||
| bgcolor="{{Party color|Scottish Labour Party}}" | |
|||
| style="text-align: center;" | <small>6.6%</small> |
|||
|20,844 |
|||
|'''20,915''' |
|||
|49.9% |
|||
|{{No|'''50.1%'''|align=right}} |
|||
|41,759 |
|||
|<ref name="South Lanarkshire council area breakdown" /> |
|||
|- |
|||
| bgcolor="{{Party color|Scottish Liberal Democrats}}" | |
|||
| scope="row" style="text-align:left"|[[Shetland (Scottish Parliament constituency)|Shetland]] |
|||
| style="text-align:center;"|[[Tavish Scott]] |
|||
| bgcolor="{{Party color|Scottish Liberal Democrats}}" | |
|||
| style="text-align: center;" | <small>17.2%</small> |
|||
|5,669 |
|||
|'''9,951''' |
|||
|36.3% |
|||
|{{No|'''63.7%'''|align=right}} |
|||
|15,620 |
|||
| |
|||
|- |
|||
| colspan="11" scope="row" style="text-align:center"|'''''Notes:''''' This is an incomplete list as not all local authorities counted by ward or constituency. <br />The constituency results are primarily obtained through local authority breakdowns of the result or the constituency boundaries being co-terminous with the local government district.<br /> |
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|} |
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=== Analysis of voters' reasons === |
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Opinion polls also show a rise in support for stronger powers for the [[National Assembly for Wales]] if Scotland should choose to be independent.<Ref>http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/2012/02/02/scottish-independence-would-add-to-calls-for-more-devolution-to-wales-91466-30254322</ref> |
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On the day of the referendum, [[Michael Ashcroft]] conducted a poll of over 2,000 voters to identify the major reasons for their voting choices. This poll found that among No voters, more than half (57%) stated the pound sterling was one of the most important factors in their decision. Among Yes voters, the biggest single motivation was "disaffection with [[Parliament of the United Kingdom|Westminster]] politics".<ref name="AshcroftExitPoll">{{Cite web |date=19 September 2014 |title=How Scotland voted, and why |url=https://lordashcroftpolls.com/2014/09/scotland-voted |access-date=2 June 2018 |website=Lord Ashcroft Polls}}</ref> |
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== Reactions to the result == |
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==See also== |
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=== Domestic reaction === |
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* [[Constitution of the United Kingdom]] |
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Queen [[Elizabeth II]] issued a statement following the referendum, in which she said that it was "a result that all of us throughout the United Kingdom will respect" and that the Royal Family would support all efforts to "work constructively for the future of Scotland and indeed all parts of this country".<ref>{{Cite web |date=19 September 2014 |title=The Queen's message following Scotland's referendum |url=http://www.royal.gov.uk/LatestNewsandDiary/Speechesandarticles/2014/TheQueensmessagefollowingScotlandsreferendum.aspx |access-date=27 October 2014 |publisher=The Royal Household}}</ref> |
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* [[Devo Plus]] |
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* [[History of Scottish devolution]] |
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* [[History of the Scottish National Party]] |
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* [[Politics of the United Kingdom]] |
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Prime Minister [[David Cameron]] said he was "delighted" with the result, adding: "it would have broken my heart to see our United Kingdom come to an end and I know that this sentiment was shared not just by people across our country but also around the world".<ref name="Sky News">{{Cite web |date=18 September 2014 |title=Scottish independence: Key figures give their reaction |url=http://news.sky.com/story/1338384/scottish-referendum-what-theyre-saying |access-date=16 May 2015 |website=Sky News |publisher=BSkyB}}</ref> While attending a public event later in September, Cameron told [[Michael Bloomberg]], a former [[mayor of New York City]], that the Queen had "purred down the line" when he informed her of the result.<ref name="The Guardian">{{Cite news |last=Watt |first=Nicholas |date=28 September 2014 |title=David Cameron 'embarrassed and sorry' for saying Queen purred |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2014/sep/28/david-cameron-sorry-queen-purred |access-date=24 August 2015}}</ref> Cameron admitted he was "very embarrassed" for revealing the Queen's political view, which she had guarded in her own comments.<ref name="The Guardian" /> |
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==References== |
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{{Reflist|2|refs= |
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[[Alex Salmond]], the [[Scottish First Minister]] and leader of the SNP, stated that he accepted the "verdict of the people" and called upon "all Scots to follow suit in accepting the democratic verdict of the people of Scotland". He called the referendum a "triumph for the democratic process and for participation in politics".<ref name="Sky News" /> He also resigned as SNP leader and as First Minister, saying that "for me as leader my time is nearly over but for Scotland the campaign continues and the dream shall never die".<ref>{{Cite web |date=19 September 2014 |title=Scottish referendum: Alex Salmond to quit as first minister |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-29277527 |access-date=19 September 2014 |website=BBC News |publisher=BBC}}</ref> |
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<ref name=Manifesto12Apr2007>{{Cite web|url=http://www.snp.org/system/files/manifesto+programme.pdf|title=Manifesto 2007|date=12 April 2007|publisher=Scottish National Party|pages=8, 15|accessdate=2009-09-11}}</ref> |
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[[First Minister and deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland|Northern Ireland's First Minister]] [[Peter Robinson (Northern Ireland politician)|Peter Robinson]] and [[Welsh First Minister]] [[Carwyn Jones]] responded positively to the result. Robinson was "delighted Scotland has voted to remain in the Union".<ref name="Sky News" /> |
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<ref name=DraftBill2007>{{Cite web |
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|url=http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2007/08/13103747/10 |
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|title=Annex B Draft Referendum (Scotland) Bill |
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|publisher=[[Scottish Government]] |
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|work=Official website, Publications > 2007 > August > Choosing Scotland's Future: A National Conversatio > Part 10 |
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|date=2009-08-13 |
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|accessdate=2009-09-10 |
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|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/5jgh02AMe |
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|archivedate=2009-09-10 |
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}}</ref> |
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=== International reaction === |
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<ref name=Guardian5Mar09>{{cite news |
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There was a large international reaction to the results of the Scottish independence referendum.<ref name="Telegraph-Reaction" /> The [[White House]] congratulated Scotland on their "full and energetic exercise of democracy".<ref name="TIME 19Sep2014">{{Cite news |last=Bajekal |first=Naina |date=19 September 2014 |title=The World Reacts to Scotland's Decision Not to Leave the UK |work=TIME magazine |url=https://time.com/3402688/scotland-reactions/ |access-date=25 August 2016}}</ref> President [[Barack Obama]] noted the "debate, discussion, and passionate yet peaceful deliberations"<ref name="TIME 19Sep2014" /> and welcomed the result, saying he looked forward to "continuing our strong and special relationship with all the people of Great Britain and Northern Ireland".<ref name="Telegraph-Reaction" /> |
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|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2009/mar/05/snp-independence-referendum-plan-rejected |
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|title=Alex Salmond's Scottish independence referendum bill 'dead in the water' |
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|publisher=[[The Guardian]] |
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|date=2009-03-05 |
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|accessdate=2009-09-10 |
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|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/5jh1lijyW |
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|archivedate=2009-09-10 |
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| location=London |
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| first=Severin |
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| last=Carrell |
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}}</ref> |
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[[John Baird (Canadian politician)|John Baird]], the [[Minister of Foreign Affairs (Canada)|Minister of Foreign Affairs]] of [[Canada]], welcomed the decision and praised the conduct of the referendum.<ref name="canada">{{Cite web |last=McGregor |first=Janyce |date=19 September 2014 |title=Philippe Couillard says Quebec-Scotland vote comparisons 'risky' |url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/philippe-couillard-says-quebec-scotland-vote-comparisons-risky-1.2771363 |access-date=21 September 2014 |website=CBC News |publisher=CBC}}</ref> The [[Premier of Quebec]], [[Philippe Couillard]], said that there were limited comparisons between Scotland and Quebec, where the [[Quebec sovereignty movement|sovereignty movement]] lost referendums in [[1980 Quebec referendum|1980]] and [[1995 Quebec referendum|1995]], and suggested a devolved model similar to [[federalism]] as a possible future model for the UK: "I think that if the Scots had what we have, Quebecers within Canada, they probably would be quite happy".<ref name="canada" /> [[Stéphane Bédard]], leader of the [[Parti Québécois]], described himself as "disappointed" by the result.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Autier |first=Philip |date=19 September 2014 |title=Philippe Couillard cautious in reaction to Scottish independence vote |work=Montreal Gazette |url=https://montrealgazette.com/news/Philippe+Couillard+cautious+reaction+Scottish/10218354/story.html |url-status=dead |access-date=20 September 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140921073036/http://www.montrealgazette.com/news/Philippe+Couillard+cautious+reaction+Scottish/10218354/story.html |archive-date=21 September 2014}}</ref> |
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<ref name=LegislativeProgramme20092010>{{Cite web |
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|url=http://www.scotland.gov.uk/About/programme-for-government/2009-10/summary-of-bills |
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|title=Bills in the 2009–10 Programme for Scotland |
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|publisher=[[Scottish Government]] |
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|work=Official website, About > Programme for Government > 2009–10 > Summaries of Bills |
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|date=2009-09-03 |
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|accessdate=2009-09-10 |
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|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/5jgg0Zjut |
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|archivedate=2009-09-10 |
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}}</ref> |
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[[Angela Merkel]], the [[Chancellor of Germany]], said that, "We [the German government] have always respected the fact that this referendum was called and that the central government in London agreed to this. And now we respect the outcome of it as well". When asked how she felt about the result she replied "I will not comment on this but just smile".<ref>{{Cite web |date=19 September 2014 |title=How Scotland's 'No' vote resonates around the world |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-29272728 |access-date=4 October 2014 |website=BBC News |publisher=BBC}}</ref> [[Matteo Renzi]], [[Prime Minister of Italy|Prime Minister]] of [[Italy]], released a statement saying that "The Italian government, also in its capacity as duty president of the EU, hails the result of the vote democratically expressed by the Scottish people," he later sent a message to [[David Cameron]] where he said that Scotland "recognised and appreciated diversity" without "fragmenting".<ref>{{Cite news |date=19 September 2014 |title=Scotland votes no to independence: world reaction |work=Daily Telegraph |publisher=Telegraph Media Group |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/scottish-independence/11108226/Scotland-votes-no-to-independence-world-reaction.html |access-date=18 June 2015}}</ref> |
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<ref name=Times3Sep09>{{cite news |
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|url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/scotland/article6820542.ece |
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|title=Salmond to push ahead with referendum Bill |
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|publisher=[[The Times]] |
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|date=2009-09-03 |
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|accessdate=2009-09-10 |
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|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/5jgoTKBiL |
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|archivedate=2009-09-10 |
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| location=London |
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| first=Angus |
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| last=MacLeod |
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}}</ref> |
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[[Republic of Ireland|Ireland's]] [[Taoiseach]], [[Enda Kenny]], stated that the Irish government would respect the "democratic decision that Scotland should remain as part of the United Kingdom", he went on to say how "As neighbours, friends and partners across political, economic, cultural and many other spheres, relations between Ireland and Britain have never been stronger. We look forward to working with all parties across these islands in the years ahead. The [[Good Friday Agreement]] of 1998 is the historic template for harmonious and mutually beneficial development of the totality of relationships among the peoples of these islands. In particular, it has led to a transformation in relationships between the two great traditions on this island".<ref>{{Cite web |date=20 September 2014 |title=Reaction to rejection of independence by voters in Scotland: Taoiseach says attention will now turn to the changes in terms of devolution of powers, which will be 'closely followed in Ireland' |url=http://insideireland.ie/2014/09/20/reaction-to-rejection-of-independence-by-voters-in-scotland-taoiseach-says-attention-will-now-turn-to-the-changes-in-terms-of-devolution-of-powers-which-will-be-closely-followed-in-ireland-107026 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141027201249/http://insideireland.ie/2014/09/20/reaction-to-rejection-of-independence-by-voters-in-scotland-taoiseach-says-attention-will-now-turn-to-the-changes-in-terms-of-devolution-of-powers-which-will-be-closely-followed-in-ireland-107026 |archive-date=27 October 2014 |access-date=27 October 2014 |website=Inside Ireland}}</ref> |
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<ref name=Independent30Nov09SNPReveals>{{cite news |
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|url=http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/snp-reveals-vision-for-independence-referendum-1831469.html |
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|title=SNP reveals vision for independence referendum |
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|publisher=The Independent |
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|date=2009-11-30 |
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|accessdate=2009-11-30 |
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|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/5lfqjoj1A |
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|archivedate=2009-11-30 |
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| location=London |
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| first=Joe |
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| last=Quinn |
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}}</ref> |
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In a press release following the referendum, the [[Russia]]n [[Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Russia)|Ministry of Foreign Affairs]] stated: "It is an understandable and logical desire of the Scottish people for the central authorities to guarantee respect for their national and cultural identity, language and traditions and also give them more independence to take decisions on Scotland's socio-economic development and its standing in the united state. We have noted that the UK government has extended concrete promises in this regard. We believe that these factors are extremely important not only for Scotland but also in the general context of devolution processes".<ref>{{Cite news |date=20 September 2014 |title=Comment by the Information and Press Department of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding the Scottish independence referendum |publisher=The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation |url=http://www.mid.ru/BDOMP/Brp_4.nsf/arh/54CD374A185760E144257D5B003CF92B?OpenDocument |access-date=25 September 2014}}</ref> |
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<ref name=ScottishGovernment30Nov09NewsYSYV>{{Cite web |
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|url=http://www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/2009/11/27154409 |
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|title=Your Scotland, Your Voice |
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|publisher=Scottish Government |
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|work=www.scotland.gov.uk > News > News Releases > 2009 > November > YSYV |
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|date=2009-11-30 |
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|accessdate=2009-11-30 |
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|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/5lfsTqyxt |
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|archivedate=2009-11-30 |
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}}</ref> |
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Facing the result of the referendum, [[Erna Solberg]], [[Prime Minister of Norway|Prime Minister]] of [[Norway]], stated to Norwegian broadcaster [[NRK]] she was 'glad' [[Scotland]] chose to remain in the union and that Scottish independence could have become challenging for Norway as a neighbouring country.<ref>[[NRK]]: [http://nrk.no/verden/_-kunne-blitt-komplisert-for-norge-1.11941032 – Skotsk kalddusj for dem som ønsker løsrivelse] 19 September 2014.</ref> |
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<ref name=BBCQnA3Sep09>{{cite news |
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|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/8235428.stm |
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|title=Q&A: Independence referendum |
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|publisher=[[BBC News]] |
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|date=2009-09-03 |
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|accessdate=2009-09-10 |
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|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/5jgkwdqHv |
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|archivedate=2009-09-10 |
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| first=Andrew |
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| last=Black |
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}}</ref> |
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[[Spain|Spanish]] [[Prime Minister of Spain|Prime Minister]] [[Mariano Rajoy]], in a video message, said that the Scottish have avoided serious consequences and "have chosen the most favourable option for everyone; for themselves, for all of Britain and for the rest of Europe".<ref name="Rajoy-Reaction">{{Cite web |date=19 September 2014 |title=Scottish no vote best outcome for Europe, says Spanish PM Mariano Rajoy |url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/international/world-news/scottish-no-vote-best-outcome-for-europe-says-spanish-pm-mariano-rajoy/articleshow/42898221.cms |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141030152608/http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/international/world-news/scottish-no-vote-best-outcome-for-europe-says-spanish-pm-mariano-rajoy/articleshow/42898221.cms |archive-date=30 October 2014 |access-date=19 September 2014 |agency=Reuters}}</ref> [[Iñigo Urkullu]], the [[Lehendakari|President]] of the [[Basque Country (autonomous community)|Basque Country]], stated on the day of the referendum that as the British Government had allowed Scotland to freely decide its own future, the responsibility of the Basque government was to "follow Scotland's footsteps" in securing a similar agreement in Spain.<ref>{{Cite news |date=18 September 2014 |title=Urkullu: La voluntad del Gobierno vasco es avanzar por el camino de Escocia |language=es |trans-title=Urkullu: The responsibility of the Basque government is to follow in Scotland's footsteps |work=[[El País]] |url=http://ccaa.elpais.com/ccaa/2014/09/18/paisvasco/1411036874_420253.html |access-date=19 September 2014}}</ref> [[Artur Mas]], [[President of the Generalitat of Catalonia]], described the referendum as a model for a future vote in the Catalonia, and said "What happened in Scotland is not a setback for us, because what we really want in Catalonia is to have the chance to vote".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gyldenkerne |first=Elena |date=19 September 2014 |title=Catalonia call independence vote despite Scottish 'no' |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-spain-catalonia-idUSKBN0HE11T20140919 |access-date=20 September 2014 |website=Reuters}}</ref> On the day after the Scottish referendum, the Catalan parliament voted to hold a "popular consultation" on [[Catalan independence]].<ref name="catalan ref" /> The Spanish government said that such a vote would be unconstitutional,<ref name="catalan ref">{{Cite web |date=27 September 2014 |title=Catalan leader orders referendum on independence from Spain |url=http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-spain-catalonia-idUKKCN0HM0EH20140927 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161117175847/http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-spain-catalonia-idUKKCN0HM0EH20140927 |url-status=dead |archive-date=17 November 2016 |website=Reuters}}</ref> but a [[2014 Catalan self-determination referendum|referendum]] was held on 9 November 2014 anyway. The large majority (80%) voted for Catalonia to be an independent country, although two-thirds of Catalans did not participate in the referendum.<ref>{{Cite web |date=11 November 2015 |title=Catalonia's push for independence from Spain |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-29478415 |access-date=22 June 2016 |website=BBC News |publisher=BBC |language=en-GB}}</ref> |
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<ref name=BBC25Feb2010Published>{{cite news |
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|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/8535946.stm |
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|title=Scottish independence referendum plans published |
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|publisher=BBC News |
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|date=2010-02-25 |
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|accessdate=2010-02-25 |
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|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/5no5PTJqS |
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|archivedate=2010-02-25 |
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}}</ref> |
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[[Secretary General of NATO]] [[Anders Fogh Rasmussen]] said that he fully respected "the choice that the people of Scotland have made".<ref name="Telegraph-Reaction">{{Cite news |last=Winch |first=Jessica |date=19 September 2014 |title=Scotland votes no to independence: world reaction |work=The Daily Telegraph |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/scottish-independence/11108226/Scotland-votes-no-to-independence-world-reaction.html |access-date=19 September 2014}}</ref> [[President of the European Commission]] [[José Manuel Barroso]] said the Scottish vote was good for a "united, open and stronger Europe".<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20160219080918/http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-scotland-independence-europe-idUKKBN0HE10M20140919 Reuters] 19 September 2014</ref> |
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<ref name=ScottishGovernmentNews25Feb2010ReferendumConsultation>{{Cite web |
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|url=http://www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/2010/02/24170252 |
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|title=Referendum consultation |
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|publisher=Scottish Government |
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|work=www.scotland.gov.uk > News > News Releases > 2010 > February > referendum |
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|date=2010-02-25 |
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|accessdate=2010-02-25 |
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|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/5no62MiL0 |
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|archivedate=2010-02-25 |
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}}</ref> |
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=== Allegations of voting irregularities === |
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<ref name=ScottishGovernmentReferendumBillConsultationPaper25Feb2010>{{Cite web |
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Ten voters discovered that someone had voted under their names at polling stations in [[Glasgow]],<ref name="personation" /> a method of fraud termed '[[personation]]', and this led to an investigation by [[Police Scotland]].<ref name="personation">{{Cite news |last=Green |first=Chris |date=19 September 2014 |title='Scottish referendum results: 10 counts of electoral fraud alleged in Glasgow |work=The Independent |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/scottish-independence/scottish-referendum-results-10-counts-of-electoral-fraud-alleged-in-glasgow-9742672.html |url-access=subscription |access-date=19 September 2014 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220501/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/scottish-independence/scottish-referendum-results-10-counts-of-electoral-fraud-alleged-in-glasgow-9742672.html |archive-date=1 May 2022}}{{Cbignore}}</ref> |
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|url=http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Resource/Doc/303348/0095138.pdf |
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|title=Scotland's Future: Draft Referendum (Scotland) Bill Consultation Paper |
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|publisher=Scottish Government |
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|work=www.scotland.gov.uk > Publications > 2010 > February > Scotland's Future: Draft Referendum (Scotland) Bil > PDF 1 |
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|format=pdf |
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|date=2010-02-25 |
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|accessdate=2010-02-25 |
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|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/5no62m3yB |
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|archivedate=2010-02-25 |
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}}</ref> |
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During a BBC results broadcast, [[Scottish Conservative Party]] leader [[Ruth Davidson]] said that "No" campaigners had been "taking tallies" of postal votes and that those showed that the "No" campaign was in the lead.<ref name="ruth" /> This resulted in complaints to the [[electoral commission]] because the [[Scottish Independence Referendum Act 2013]] stated that people attending proceedings related to the receipt of postal votes must not attempt to ascertain the outcome or "communicate any information" from that voting.<ref name="ruth" /> The Electoral Commission, who could not investigate criminal allegations, passed the complaints onto Police Scotland.<ref name="ruth">{{Cite news |date=25 September 2014 |title=Scottish referendum: Police assess postal vote allegations |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-29359318}}</ref> A formal investigation was subsequently opened,<ref>{{Cite news |date=4 October 2014 |title=Police probe claims pro-UK campaigners took illegal postal vote 'tallies' |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-29489288}}</ref> which concluded that there was no criminality.<ref>[https://www.commonspace.scot/articles/2558/no-prosecution-after-police-scotland-investigation-ruth-davidson-postal-vote-comments No prosecution after Police Scotland investigation into Ruth Davidson postal vote comments] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171203082827/https://www.commonspace.scot/articles/2558/no-prosecution-after-police-scotland-investigation-ruth-davidson-postal-vote-comments |date=3 December 2017 }}, Commonspace</ref> |
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<ref name=ScottishGovernmentReferendumBillConsultation25Feb2010>{{Cite web |
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|url=http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Government/Elections/rbc/ |
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According to official Russian observers, the conditions under which the votes were counted were not up to international standards and that the procedure used made it impossible to check on irregularities.<ref name="TIME 21Sep2014">{{Cite magazine |last=Feeney |first=Nolan |date=21 September 2014 |title=Russia says Scottish referendum could have been rigged. |magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]] |url=https://time.com/3414430/russia-scotland-independence-referendum/ |access-date=27 September 2014}}</ref> Russia's criticism came just months after the international community had rejected the [[2014 Crimean status referendum|results of a Kremlin-backed referendum]] held in the [[Annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation|Russian-occupied]] Ukrainian territory of Crimea.<ref name="TIME 21Sep2014" /> Russian officials said that the strong performance of the [[Scottish National Party]] (SNP) at the [[2015 United Kingdom general election|2015 general election]] confirmed their suspicions about the Scottish independence referendum.<ref>{{Cite news |date=11 May 2015 |title=SNP election landslide proves referendum result was rigged, claims Russian official |work=The Herald |url=http://www.heraldscotland.com/politics/wider-political-news/snp-election-landslide-proves-referendum-result-was-rigged-claims-russ.125642897 |access-date=12 May 2015}}</ref> |
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|title=Draft Referendum (Scotland) Bill Consultation |
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|publisher=Scottish Government |
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A petition demanding a second referendum, based on allegations of vote miscounting, gained more than 70,000 signatures within 24 hours. The petitioners referred to news footage that they claim showed unusual emptying of the boxes, a vote-counter placing Yes-votes between No-votes, an official filling in ballot papers, and Yes-votes on top of stacks placed on No-votes sorting tables, as well as two false fire-alarms and subsequent evacuation of the counting centre in Dundee.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Kinder |first=Tabatha |date=20 September 2014 |title=Scottish Independence: 70,000 Nationalists Demand Referendum be Re-Held After Voting Rigging Claims |work=International Business Times |url=http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/scottish-independence-70000-nationalists-demand-referendum-be-re-held-after-vote-rigging-claims-1466416 |access-date=21 September 2014}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Addley |first=Esther |date=22 September 2014 |title=Scottish referendum vote-rigging claims spark calls for recount |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2014/sep/22/scottish-referendum-vote-rigging-claims-recount-petitions |access-date=23 October 2018}}</ref> In response, Chief Counting Officer Mary Pitcaithly declared that the referendum had been "properly conducted". An official spokesperson reiterated this point, saying that they were "satisfied that all counts throughout Scotland were properly conducted" and that incidents in the footage could be "easily explained" and were being presented as a "'conspiracy' theory".<ref>{{Cite web |date=22 September 2014 |title=Scottish referendum: Vote count was 'properly conducted' says counting officer |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-29294087 |access-date=22 September 2014 |website=BBC News |publisher=BBC}}</ref> Douglas Daniel, a monitoring agent for the pro-independence [[Wings Over Scotland]] website, noted that "as with most conspiracy theories, this is largely down to people not understanding what they're seeing" and "trying to fix the count would require pretty much every single member of the counting staff to be in on the scam".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Daniel |first=Douglas |date=24 September 2014 |title=Our man on the scene |url=https://wingsoverscotland.com/our-man-on-the-scene |access-date=23 October 2018 |website=Wings Over Scotland}}</ref> |
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|work=www.scotland.gov.uk > Topics > Public Sector > Elections > Referendum Bill Consultation |
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|date=undated |
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=== Violence in Glasgow === |
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|accessdate=2010-02-25 |
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[[File:Wfm glasgow cityhall.jpg|thumb|Acts of violence were committed in Glasgow's [[George Square]] after the referendum result.]] |
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|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/5no63ChPc |
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On the night of 19 September, hundreds of [[Unionism in the United Kingdom|unionists]] arrived to celebrate the 'No' vote and some attacked independence supporters who had gathered in [[George Square]], Glasgow.<ref name="guardian-riot">{{Cite news |last=Brooks |first=Libby |date=20 September 2014 |title=Violence in Glasgow as loyalists attack pro-independence supporters |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2014/sep/19/violence-glasgow-scotland-loyalists-attack-independence-supporters |access-date=22 October 2016}}</ref><ref name="Scotsman catch rioters">{{Cite news |last=Dalton |first=Alastair |date=19 September 2014 |title=Police vow to catch George Square rioters |work=The Scotsman |url=http://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/police-vow-to-catch-george-square-rioters-1-3547573 |access-date=22 October 2016}}</ref> Many of the unionists waved [[Union Jack|Union Jacks]] or loyalist flags and chanted "[[Rule, Britannia!]]"<ref name=guardian-riot /> Police officers were drafted in to separate the groups but some unionists broke through police lines.<ref name=guardian-riot /> A number of people were reportedly beaten and bottles were thrown.<ref name="Scotsman-riot">{{Cite news |date=20 September 2014 |title=Eleven arrested after pro-union rally in Glasgow |work=The Scotsman |url=http://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/top-stories/eleven-arrested-after-pro-union-rally-in-glasgow-1-3547573 |url-status=dead |access-date=22 October 2016 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20140920221700/http://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/top-stories/eleven-arrested-after-pro-union-rally-in-glasgow-1-3547573 |archive-date=20 September 2014}}</ref> A press photographer told ''The Scotsman'' he saw people being "kicked about" and was forced to flee after being threatened.<ref name="Scotsman-riot" /> By the end of the following month, the police had made 32 arrests in relation to the events.<ref>{{Cite web |date=31 October 2014 |title=Referendum disorder: 32 arrests over George Square trouble |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-29847656 |access-date=22 October 2016 |website=BBC News |publisher=BBC}}</ref> The violence was condemned by politicians from both the 'Yes' and 'No' camps.<ref name="Scotsman-riot" /> |
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|archivedate=2010-02-25 |
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}}</ref> |
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=== Increase in political activism === |
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In the weeks following the referendum, thousands of people joined the [[Scottish National Party]], the [[Scottish Greens]]<ref>{{Cite web |date=6 October 2014 |title=Green Party says membership up to 26,000 across Britain |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-29505094 |access-date=21 June 2015 |website=BBC News |publisher=BBC}}</ref> or the [[Scottish Socialist Party]], which had all campaigned for a 'Yes' vote.<ref name="UK-SCOTLAND-POLITICS">{{Cite web |date=22 September 2014 |title=Scottish referendum: 'Yes' parties see surge in members |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-29311147 |access-date=22 September 2014 |website=BBC News |publisher=BBC}}</ref><ref name="friends" /> The parties claimed that many of the new members were former [[Scottish Labour Party]] members.<ref name="UK-SCOTLAND-POLITICS" /> By 2 October 2014, SNP membership had tripled from 25,000 to 75,000 people, overtaking the [[Liberal Democrats (UK)|Liberal Democrats]] as the third-largest political party in the UK.<ref>{{Cite news |date=1 October 2014 |title=SNP membership trebles following indyref |work=The Herald |publisher=Herald & Times Group |url=http://www.heraldscotland.com/politics/scottish-politics/snp-membership-trebled-since-indyref.1412172219 |access-date=2 October 2014}}</ref> Conservative MP [[David Mundell]] said that 80,000 people had signed up to their "Friends of the Union" group during the campaign.<ref name="friends" /> These people had not necessarily become full members of the [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative Party]] because they were not focused on increasing the number of "card-carrying" members.<ref name="friends">{{Cite web |date=28 September 2014 |title=Conservative MP David Mundell hails surge in pro-UK activism |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-29399858 |access-date=21 June 2015 |website=BBC News |publisher=BBC}}</ref> |
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[[File:Scottish independence rally 2018 Largs.jpg|thumb|Pro-independence march in [[Glasgow]] in May 2018]] |
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Following the referendum, there were calls for greater unity within [[Scottish unionism]] and to vote tactically against nationalist candidates.<ref>{{Cite news |date=23 March 2015 |title=Parties need a united front to stop Salmond |work=Daily Telegraph |publisher=Telegraph Media Group |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/scotland/11489008/Parties-need-a-united-front-to-stop-Salmond.html |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |access-date=21 June 2015 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/scotland/11489008/Parties-need-a-united-front-to-stop-Salmond.html |archive-date=12 January 2022}}{{Cbignore}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Stevenson |first=Alex |date=23 March 2015 |title=Secret enemy: Meet the shady group fighting the SNP |url=http://www.politics.co.uk/comment-analysis/2015/03/23/secret-enemy-meet-the-shady-group-fighting-the-snp |access-date=21 June 2015 |website=politics.co.uk}}</ref> A grassroots campaign called "Scotland in Union" aimed to encourage tactical voting at the [[2015 United Kingdom general election|2015 general election]] and to publicise the benefits of Scotland being a part of the United Kingdom.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Cramb |first=Auslan |date=2 March 2015 |title=New pro-Union campaign to identify seats where tactical voting could defeat SNP |work=The Daily Telegraph |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/general-election-2015/11444202/New-pro-Union-campaign-to-identify-seats-where-tactical-voting-could-defeat-SNP.html |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |access-date=21 June 2015 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/general-election-2015/11444202/New-pro-Union-campaign-to-identify-seats-where-tactical-voting-could-defeat-SNP.html |archive-date=12 January 2022}}{{Cbignore}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Johnson |first=Simon |date=6 March 2015 |title=Unionists can hold back the SNP 'if they act together' |work=The Daily Telegraph |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/general-election-2015/11453045/Unionists-can-hold-back-the-SNP-if-they-act-together.html |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |access-date=21 June 2015 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/general-election-2015/11453045/Unionists-can-hold-back-the-SNP-if-they-act-together.html |archive-date=12 January 2022}}{{Cbignore}}</ref> Analysis by the [[Electoral Reform Society]] prior to the 2015 general election identified some constituencies where tactical voting could succeed, but also pointed out that many voters would find it difficult to support another political party.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Allardyce |first=Jason |date=3 May 2015 |title=Tactical voting to stop SNP set to fail |work=Sunday Times |publisher=News International |url=http://www.thesundaytimes.co.uk/sto/news/uk_news/scotland/article1551983.ece |url-status=dead |access-date=21 June 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150621102341/http://www.thesundaytimes.co.uk/sto/news/uk_news/scotland/article1551983.ece |archive-date=21 June 2015}}</ref> Writing after the election, Professor [[John Curtice]] said that in only one constituency, ([[Edinburgh South (UK Parliament constituency)|Edinburgh South]]); could it be said that tactical voting succeeded in defeating an SNP candidate.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Sanderson |first=Daniel |date=9 May 2015 |title=Calls for tactical voting proven meaningless in face of SNP tsunami |work=The Herald |publisher=Herald & Times Group |url=http://www.heraldscotland.com/politics/scottish-politics/calls-for-tactical-voting-proven-meaningless-in-face-of-snp-tsunami.125541804 |access-date=21 June 2015}}</ref> |
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=== Further devolution === |
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{{Main|Smith Commission}} |
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Two days before the referendum, the leaders of the three main UK political parties publicly pledged to devolve "extensive new powers" to the Scottish Parliament.<ref name="what now for the vow">{{Cite web |last=Cook |first=James |date=1 October 2014 |title=What now for 'the vow'? |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-29443603 |access-date=21 June 2015 |website=BBC News |publisher=BBC}}</ref> They also agreed to a timetable proposed by [[Gordon Brown]].<ref name="what now">{{Cite web |last=Black |first=Andrew |date=6 October 2014 |title=Scotland votes 'No': What happens now? |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-29252899 |access-date=21 June 2015 |website=BBC News |publisher=BBC}}</ref> In his speech responding to the referendum results, [[David Cameron]] said that an [[Smith Commission|all-party commission]], chaired by [[Lord Smith of Kelvin]], would oversee the implementation of the new powers.<ref name="what now for the vow" /><ref name="what now" /> Cameron also called for an answer to the [[West Lothian question]], by removing the right of Scottish MPs to vote on legislation relating only to England.<ref name="brown petition">{{Cite web |date=30 September 2014 |title=Brown calls on Scots to sign devolution 'promises' petition |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-29432379 |access-date=21 June 2015 |website=BBC News |publisher=BBC}}</ref> This proposal was opposed by [[Gordon Brown]], who signed a petition calling for the additional powers to be devolved without any other conditions being attached.<ref name="brown petition" /> |
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The proposals were debated at length by the UK and Scottish parliaments.<ref name="powers" /> [[Scotland Act 2016|The bill devolving further powers]] to Scotland was approved unanimously by the Scottish Parliament in March 2016.<ref name="powers">{{Cite web |date=16 March 2016 |title=Holyrood gives approval to devolved powers Scotland Bill |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-35815426 |access-date=31 March 2016 |website=BBC News |publisher=BBC}}</ref> |
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=== Political developments === |
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{{Main|Proposed second Scottish independence referendum}} |
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Following the referendum, the SNP took a clear lead over the other parties in Scottish opinion polls.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Lambert |first=Harry |date=21 October 2014 |title=Could the SNP win 25 Labour seats in 2015? |work=New Statesman |url=http://www.newstatesman.com/politics/2014/10/could-snp-win-25-labour-seats-2015 |access-date=12 November 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=16 October 2014 |title=Scotland update: Is the SNP surge real? |url=http://www.ncpolitics.uk/2014/10/scotland-update-is-snp-surge-real.html |access-date=12 November 2016 |website=Number Cruncher Politics}}</ref> In the [[2015 United Kingdom general election|2015 general election]], the SNP received 1,454,436 votes, 49.97% of the Scottish vote and 56 out of the 59 Scottish seats contested in the election. [[Scottish Labour|Labour]] lost forty of their forty-one seats and the [[Scottish Liberal Democrats|Liberal Democrats]] lost ten of their eleven seats – all to the SNP.<ref>{{Cite web |date=8 May 2015 |title='Scottish Lion Roars' In Historic SNP Landslide |url=https://news.sky.com/story/amp/scottish-lion-roars-in-historic-snp-landslide-10360449 |access-date=20 June 2015 |website=Sky News |publisher=BSkyB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=8 May 2015 |title=Election 2015: SNP wins 56 of 59 seats in Scots landslide |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/election-2015-scotland-32635871 |access-date=20 June 2015 |website=BBC News}}</ref> The SNP replaced the Liberal Democrats as the third largest party in the [[House of Commons of the United Kingdom|House of Commons]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Mason |first=Rowena |date=10 May 2015 |title=SNP wants Liberal Democrats' third party parliamentary perks |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2015/may/10/snp-wants-liberal-democrats-third-party-parliamentary-perks |access-date=20 June 2015}}</ref> |
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As the Conservatives won an overall majority in the 2015 UK general election, a [[2016 United Kingdom European Union membership referendum|UK-wide referendum on European Union membership]] was held in June 2016. An overall majority of the UK voted to leave the EU (for "[[Brexit]]"), while all of Scotland's council areas voted to remain in the EU. Shortly afterwards, First Minister [[Nicola Sturgeon]] announced her intention to prepare legislation for a second independence referendum.<ref>{{Cite news |date=24 June 2016 |title=Brexit: Nicola Sturgeon says second Scottish independence vote 'highly likely' |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-36621030}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=24 June 2016 |title=Scotland 'highly likely' to hold second independence vote after EU vote: Sturgeon |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-britain-eu-scotland-idUSKCN0ZA0S2}}</ref> In the [[2017 United Kingdom general election|June 2017 general election]], the first major electoral test after the EU referendum, the SNP won 35 of the 59 Scottish seats in the [[House of Commons of the United Kingdom|House of Commons]]. This represented a drop of 21 seats from 2015, with the Conservatives, Labour and Liberal Democrats all making gains. Those results were largely reversed in the [[2019 United Kingdom general election|December 2019 general election]], as the SNP won 48 seats and the Conservatives and Labour both made net losses.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sim |first=Philip |date=13 December 2019 |title=Election 2019: the result in Scotland in numbers |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/election-2019-50789131 |access-date=29 December 2019 |website=BBC News}}</ref> |
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== Further reading == |
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* [[Tom Devine]], (2012) ''The Scottish Nation: A Modern History'', [[Penguin UK]] {{ISBN|978-0-718193-20-1}} |
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* [[David Torrance (journalist)|David Torrance]], (2013) ''The Battle for Britain: Scotland and the Independence Referendum'', [[Biteback Publishing]] {{ISBN|978-1-849545-94-5}} |
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* [[Iain MacWhirter]], (2013) ''Road to Referendum'', Cargo Publishing {{ISBN|978-1908885210}} |
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* James Foley and Pete Ramard, (2014) ''Yes: The Radical Case for Scottish Independence'', [[Pluto Press]] {{ISBN|978-0-745334-75-2}} |
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* [[Alan Cochrane]] and [[George Kerevan]], (2014) ''Scottish Independence: Yes or No (The Great Debate)'', The History Press {{ISBN|978-0-750955-83-6}} |
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* [[Iain MacWhirter]], (2014) ''Disunited Kingdom: How Westminster Won A Referendum But Lost Scotland'', Cargo Publishing {{ISBN|978-1-908885-26-5}} |
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* [[Gerry Hassan]], (2014) ''Caledonian Dreaming: The Quest for a Different Scotland'', Luath Press {{ISBN|978-1-910021-06-4}} |
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* Pat Anderson, (2014) ''Fear and Smear: The Campaign Against Scottish Independence'', Snowy Publications {{ISBN|978-1507716489}} |
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* Joe Pike, (2016) ''Project Fear: How an Unlikely Alliance Left a Kingdom United but a Country Divided'', Publisher {{ISBN|978-1-785900-51-8}} |
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* [[Gerry Hassan]], (2016) ''Scotland the Bold: How our nation has changed and why there is no going back'', Freight Publishing {{ISBN|978-1-911332-04-6}} |
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* [[Tom Devine]], (2017) ''Independence or Union: Scotland's Past and Scotland's Present'', [[Penguin UK]] {{ISBN|978-0-141981-57-4}} |
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* Jack Foster, (2018) ''Catch-2014: Why 'Yes' lost the referendum and why, if we're not careful, we might end up doing it again'', Independent {{ISBN|978-1-724106-95-7}} |
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== See also == |
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{{Portal|2010s|Politics|United Kingdom|Scotland}} |
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* [[Constitution of the United Kingdom]] |
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* [[Scottish devolution]] |
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* [[History of the Scottish National Party]] |
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* [[Politics of the United Kingdom]] |
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* [[Proposed second Scottish independence referendum]] |
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* [[Separatism in the United Kingdom]] |
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* [[Welsh independence]] |
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* [[Proposed Welsh independence referendum]] |
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== References == |
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{{Reflist|25em|refs= |
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<ref name=Manifesto12Apr2007>{{Cite web |url=http://www.thescottishstandard.net/snp-manifesto-2007.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150925054657/http://www.thescottishstandard.net/snp-manifesto-2007.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-date=25 September 2015 |title=Manifesto 2007 |date=12 April 2007 |publisher=Scottish National Party |pages=8, 15 |access-date=11 September 2009}}</ref> |
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<ref name=DraftBill2007>{{Cite web |url=http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2007/08/13103747/10 |title=Annex B Draft Referendum (Scotland) Bill |publisher=[[Scottish Government]] |website=Official website, Publications > 2007 > August > Choosing Scotland's Future: A National Conversatio > Part 10 |date=13 August 2009 |access-date=10 September 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081121162533/http://www.scotland.gov.uk./Publications/2007/08/13103747/10 |url-status=dead |archive-date=21 November 2008}}</ref> |
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<ref name=Times3Sep09>{{Cite news |url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/scotland/article6820542.ece |title=Salmond to push ahead with referendum Bill |newspaper=The Times |date=3 September 2009 |access-date=10 September 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100531170941/http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/scotland/article6820542.ece |archive-date=31 May 2010 |url-status=dead |location=London |first=Angus |last=MacLeod}}</ref> |
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<ref name=Independent30Nov09SNPReveals>{{Cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/snp-reveals-vision-for-independence-referendum-1831469.html |title=SNP reveals vision for independence referendum |newspaper=The Independent |date=30 November 2009 |access-date=30 November 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091203142534/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/snp-reveals-vision-for-independence-referendum-1831469.html |archive-date=3 December 2009 |url-status=live |location=London |first=Joe |last=Quinn}}</ref> |
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<ref name=ScottishGovernment30Nov09NewsYSYV>{{Cite web |url=http://www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/2009/11/27154409 |title=Your Scotland, Your Voice |publisher=Scottish Government |website=www.scotland.gov.uk > News > News Releases > 2009 > November > YSYV |date=30 November 2009 |access-date=30 November 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110607213349/http://www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/2009/11/27154409 |url-status=dead |archive-date=7 June 2011}}</ref> |
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<ref name=BBCQnA3Sep09>{{Cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/8235428.stm |title=Q&A: Independence referendum |website=BBC News |publisher=BBC |date=3 September 2009 |access-date=10 September 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090906112252/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/8235428.stm |archive-date=6 September 2009 |url-status=live |first=Andrew |last=Black}}</ref> |
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<ref name=BBC25Feb2010Published>{{Cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/8535946.stm |title=Scottish independence referendum plans published |website=BBC News |publisher=BBC |date=25 February 2010 |access-date=25 February 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100301043337/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/8535946.stm |url-status=live |archive-date=1 March 2010}}</ref> |
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<ref name=ScottishGovernmentNews25Feb2010ReferendumConsultation>{{Cite web |url=http://www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/2010/02/24170252 |title=Referendum consultation |publisher=Scottish Government |website=www.scotland.gov.uk > News > News Releases > 2010 > February > referendum |date=25 February 2010 |access-date=25 February 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110606135457/http://www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/2010/02/24170252 |url-status=dead |archive-date=6 June 2011}}</ref> |
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<ref name=ScottishGovernmentReferendumBillConsultationPaper25Feb2010>{{Cite web |url=http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Resource/Doc/303348/0095138.pdf |title=Scotland's Future: Draft Referendum (Scotland) Bill Consultation Paper |publisher=Scottish Government |website=www.scotland.gov.uk > Publications > 2010 > February > Scotland's Future: Draft Referendum (Scotland) Bil > PDF 1 |date=25 February 2010 |access-date=25 February 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100401013313/http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Resource/Doc/303348/0095138.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-date=1 April 2010}}</ref> |
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<ref name=ScottishGovernmentReferendumBillConsultation25Feb2010>{{Cite web |url=http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Government/Elections/rbc |title=Draft Referendum (Scotland) Bill Consultation |publisher=Scottish Government |website=www.scotland.gov.uk > Topics > Public Sector > Elections > Referendum Bill Consultation |date=n.d. |access-date=25 February 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110606135614/http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Government/Elections/rbc |url-status=live |archive-date=6 June 2011}}</ref> |
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==External links== |
== External links == |
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{{Commons category}} |
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* [http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Home Scottish Government] |
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* [http://www.scotreferendum.com/ Scottish Government Referendum 2014 site] |
* [http://www.scotreferendum.com/ Scottish Government Referendum 2014 site] |
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* [https://web.archive.org/web/20140727172343/https://www.youdecide2014.uk/ UK Government Referendum 2014 site] |
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* [http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-18364699 BBC Q&A] |
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* [http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/Bills/61076.aspx Scottish Independence Referendum Bill] from the Scottish Parliament |
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* {{UK-LEG|title=Scottish Independence Referendum Act 2013}} |
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* [http://www.scotlanddecides.com/ Scotland Decides] on [[stv.tv]] |
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* [https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-18364699 BBC Q&A] |
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* [https://web.archive.org/web/20140816105947/http://www.yesscotland.net/ Yes Scotland, official campaign for a Yes vote] |
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* [http://bettertogether.net/ Better Together, official campaign for a No vote] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140901023254/http://bettertogether.net |date=1 September 2014 }} |
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Should Scotland be an independent country? | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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Results by local voting area No: 50–52.5% 52.5–55% 55-57.5% 57.5-60% 60–62.5% 62.5–65% 65-67.5% Yes: 50–52.5% 52.5–55%% 55-57.5% |
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Politics of Scotland |
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A referendum on Scottish independence from the United Kingdom was held in Scotland on 18 September 2014.[1] The referendum question was "Should Scotland be an independent country?", which voters answered with "Yes" or "No".[2] The "No" side won with 2,001,926 (55.3%) voting against independence and 1,617,989 (44.7%) voting in favour. The turnout of 84.6% was the highest recorded for an election or referendum in the United Kingdom since the January 1910 general election, which was held before the introduction of universal suffrage.
The Scottish Independence Referendum Act 2013 set out the arrangements for the referendum and was passed by the Scottish Parliament in November 2013, following an agreement between the devolved Scottish government and the Government of the United Kingdom. The independence proposal required a simple majority to pass. All European Union (EU) or Commonwealth citizens residing in Scotland age 16 or over could vote, with some exceptions, which produced a total electorate of almost 4,300,000 people. This was the first time that the electoral franchise was extended to include 16- and 17-year-olds in Scotland.
Yes Scotland was the main campaign group for independence, while Better Together was the main campaign group in favour of maintaining the union. Many other campaign groups, political parties, businesses, newspapers, and prominent individuals were also involved. Prominent issues raised during the referendum included what currency an independent Scotland would use, public expenditure, EU membership, and North Sea oil. An exit poll revealed that retention of the pound sterling was the deciding factor for those who voted No, while "disaffection with Westminster politics" was the deciding factor for those who voted Yes.[3]
History
[edit]Formation of the United Kingdom
[edit]The Kingdom of Scotland and the Kingdom of England were established as independent countries during the Middle Ages. After fighting a series of wars during the 14th century, the two monarchies entered a personal union in 1603 (the Union of the Crowns) when James VI of Scotland also became James I of England. The two nations were temporarily united under one government when Oliver Cromwell was declared Lord Protector of a Commonwealth in 1653, but this was dissolved when the monarchy was restored in 1660. Scotland and England united to form the Kingdom of Great Britain in 1707 (Wales had already been unilaterally incorporated into England in the mid-16th century). The Scots favoured union to solve the economic problems caused by the failure of the Darien scheme and the English favoured it to secure the Hanoverian line of succession. Great Britain in turn united with the Kingdom of Ireland in 1801, forming the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. Most of Ireland left the Union in 1922 to form the Irish Free State; consequently, the full name of the United Kingdom since 1927 is the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
Devolution
[edit]The Labour Party was committed to home rule for Scotland in the 1920s, but it slipped down its agenda in the following years.[4] The Scottish National Party (SNP) was founded in 1934, but did not achieve significant electoral success until the 1960s.[4] A petition calling for home rule, the Scottish Covenant, was signed by 2,000,000 people (out of a population of 5,000,000) in the late 1940s.[4]
As James Callaghan's Labour Government of the late 1970s was pressured by the SNP, Scottish devolution was, for the first time, seriously proposed.[4] In a 1979 referendum for a devolved Scottish Assembly, a narrow majority of votes were cast in favour of devolution, but this had no effect due to a requirement that the number voting 'Yes' had to exceed 40% of the total electorate.[5]
No further constitutional reform was proposed until Labour returned to power in a landslide electoral victory in May 1997. A second Scottish devolution referendum was held later that year, as promised in the Labour election manifesto.[6] Clear majorities expressed support for both a devolved Scottish Parliament (74.3% in favour) and that Parliament having the power to vary the basic rate of UK income tax (63.5% in favour).[6] The Scotland Act 1998 established the new Scottish Parliament, first elected on 6 May 1999,[7] with power to legislate on unreserved matters within Scotland.
2007 SNP administration
[edit]A commitment to hold an independence referendum in 2010 was part of the SNP's election manifesto when it contested the 2007 Scottish Parliament election.[8] The press were largely hostile towards the SNP, with a headline for The Scottish Sun in May 2007 stating – beside an image of a hangman's noose – "Vote SNP today and you put Scotland's head in the noose".[9] As a result of that election, the SNP became the largest party in the Scottish Parliament and formed a minority government led by the First Minister, Alex Salmond.[10]
The SNP administration launched a 'National Conversation' as a consultation exercise in August 2007, part of which included a draft referendum bill, the Referendum (Scotland) Bill.[10][11] After this, a white paper for the proposed Referendum Bill was published, on 30 November 2009.[12][13] It detailed four possible scenarios, with the text of the Bill and Referendum to be revealed later.[12] The scenarios were: no change; devolution per the Calman Review; further devolution; and full independence.[12] The Scottish government published a draft version of the bill on 25 February 2010 for public consultation;[14][15] Scotland's Future: Draft Referendum (Scotland) Bill Consultation Paper contained a consultation document and a draft version of the bill.[16] The consultation paper set out the proposed ballot papers, the mechanics of the proposed referendum, and how the proposed referendum was to be regulated.[16] Public responses were invited.[17]
The bill outlined three proposals: the first was full devolution or 'devolution max', suggesting that the Scottish Parliament should be responsible for "all laws, taxes and duties in Scotland", except for "defence and foreign affairs; financial regulation, monetary policy and the currency", which the UK government would retain.[16] The second proposal outlined Calman-type fiscal reform, gaining the additional powers and responsibilities of setting a Scottish rate of income tax that could vary by up to 10p in the pound compared with the rest of the UK, setting the rate of stamp duty land tax and "other minor taxes", and introducing new taxes in Scotland with the agreement of the UK Parliament, and finally, "limited power to borrow money".[16] The third proposal was for full independence.[16]
In the 3rd Scottish Parliament only 50 of 129 MSPs (47 SNP, 2 Greens, and Margo MacDonald) supported a referendum.[18][19] The Scottish government withdrew the bill in September 2010 after failing to secure opposition support.[10][20]
2011 SNP administration
[edit]The SNP repeated its commitment to hold an independence referendum when it published its manifesto for the 2011 Scottish Parliament election.[21] Days before the election, Salmond said that legislation for a referendum would be proposed in the "second half of the parliament", as he wanted to secure more powers for the Scottish Parliament via the Scotland Bill first.[22] In the election, the SNP won 69 of the 129 seats, securing a majority in a proportional representative voting system. UK Prime Minister David Cameron congratulated Salmond on his 'emphatic win', but pledged to campaign for the Union if the SNP carried out their pledge to hold a referendum.[23]
In January 2012, the UK government offered to legislate to provide the Scottish Parliament with the powers to hold a referendum, providing it was 'fair, legal and decisive'.[24] This would set 'terms of reference for the referendum', such as its question(s), elector eligibility, and which body would organise the vote.[25] As the UK government worked on legal details, including the timing of the vote, Salmond announced an intention to hold the referendum in the autumn of 2014.[25] Negotiations continued between the two governments until October 2012, when the Edinburgh Agreement was reached.[10]
The Scottish Independence Referendum (Franchise) Act 2013 was passed by the Scottish Parliament on 27 June 2013 and received Royal Assent on 7 August 2013.[26] On 26 November 2013, the Scottish government published Scotland's Future, a 670-page white paper laying out the case for independence and the means by which Scotland might become an independent country.[27]
Administration
[edit]Date
[edit]The Scottish Government announced on 21 March 2013 that the referendum would be held on Thursday 18 September 2014.[1] Some media reports mentioned that 2014 would be the 700th anniversary of the Battle of Bannockburn[28][29] and that Scotland would also host the 2014 Commonwealth Games and the 2014 Ryder Cup.[29] Salmond agreed that the presence of these events made 2014 a "good year to hold a referendum".[30]
Eligibility to vote
[edit]Under the terms of the 2010 Draft Bill, the following people were entitled to vote in the referendum:[16]
- British citizens who were resident in Scotland;
- Citizens of other Commonwealth countries who were resident in Scotland;
- Citizens of other European Union countries who were resident in Scotland;
- Members of the House of Lords who were resident in Scotland;
- Service/Crown personnel serving in the UK or overseas in the British Armed Forces or with Her Majesty's Government who were registered to vote in Scotland.
Convicted prisoners were not able to vote in the referendum. The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) had ruled that this restriction was unlawful, but Scottish judge Lord Glennie said that he believed the ECHR judgment would apply only to parliamentary elections.[31] Appeals against his ruling were rejected by the Court of Session in Edinburgh[32] and the UK Supreme Court.[33]
The normal voting age was reduced from 18 to 16 for the referendum, as it was a Scottish National Party policy to reduce the voting age for all elections in Scotland.[16][34][35] The move was supported by Labour, the Liberal Democrats and the Scottish Greens.[36][37]
In January 2012, Labour MSP Elaine Murray led a debate arguing that the franchise should be extended to Scots living outside Scotland, including the approximately 800,000 living in the other parts of the UK.[38] This was opposed by the Scottish government, which argued that it would greatly increase the complexity of the referendum and stated that there was evidence from the United Nations Human Rights Committee that other nations "might question the legitimacy of a referendum if the franchise is not territorial".[38]
In the House of Lords, Baroness Symons argued that the rest of the UK should be allowed to vote on Scottish independence because it would affect the whole country. This argument was rejected by the UK government, as the Advocate General for Scotland Lord Wallace said that "whether or not Scotland should leave the United Kingdom is a matter for Scotland".[38] Wallace also pointed to the fact that only two of 11 referendums since 1973 had been across all of the United Kingdom.[38] Professor John Curtice cited the precedent of the 1973 Northern Ireland sovereignty referendum (the "border poll"), which allowed only those resident in a part of the UK to vote on its sovereignty.[39]
Legality of a referendum
[edit]There was debate as to whether the Scottish Parliament had the power to legislate for a referendum relating to the issue of Scottish independence, as the constitution is a matter reserved to the UK Parliament.[18] The Scottish government insisted in 2010 that they could legislate for a referendum, as it would be an "advisory referendum on extending the powers of the Scottish Parliament",[17] whose result would "have no legal effect on the Union".[16]: 17 Lord Wallace, Advocate General for Scotland, said in January 2012 that holding a referendum concerning the constitution would be outside the legislative power of the Scottish Parliament[24][40] and that private individuals could challenge a Scottish Parliament referendum bill.[41]
The two governments signed the Edinburgh Agreement, which allowed for the temporary transfer of legal authority. Per the Edinburgh Agreement, the UK government drafted an Order in Council granting the Scottish Parliament the necessary powers to hold, on or before 31 December 2014, an independence referendum. The draft Order was approved by resolutions of both Houses of Parliament, and the Order ("The Scotland Act 1998 (Modification of Schedule 5) Order 2013"), was approved by Queen Elizabeth II at a meeting of the Privy Council on 12 February 2013.[42] Under the powers temporarily transferred from Westminster under the section 30 Order, the Scottish Parliament adopted the Scottish Independence Referendum Act 2013.[43] The Act was passed by the Scottish Parliament on 14 November 2013 and received Royal Assent on 17 December 2013. Under section 36 of the Act, it came into force the day after Royal Assent.
Electoral supervision
[edit]The Electoral Commission was responsible for overseeing the referendum, "with the exception of the conduct of the poll and announcement of the result, and the giving of grants. In its role of regulating the campaign and campaign spending, the Electoral Commission will report to the Scottish Parliament. (...) The poll and count will be managed in the same way as [local] elections, by local returning officers (...) and directed by a Chief Counting Officer".[44]
Referendum question wording
[edit]The Edinburgh Agreement stated that the wording of the question would be decided by the Scottish Parliament and reviewed for intelligibility by the Electoral Commission.[44] The Scottish government stated that its preferred question was "Do you agree that Scotland should be an independent country?" [45] The Electoral Commission tested the proposed question along with three other possible versions.[46] Their research found that the "Do you agree" preface made it a leading question, which would be more likely to garner a positive response.[45] The question was amended to "Should Scotland be an independent country?", which the Electoral Commission found was the most neutral and concise of the versions tested.[45][46]
Campaign structures
[edit]Cost and funding
[edit]In the 2010 Draft Bill, the Scottish government proposed that there would be one designated campaign organisation for each outcome, both of which would be permitted to spend up to £750,000 on their campaign and to send one free mailshot to every household or voter in the referendum franchise. There was to be no public funding for campaigns. Registered political parties were each to be allowed to spend £100,000.[16] This proposed limit on party spending was increased to £250,000 in 2012.[47]
In 2013, new proposals by the Electoral Commission for the 16-week regulated period preceding the poll were accepted. They allowed the two designated campaign organisations to spend up to £1.5 million each and for the parties in Scotland to spend the following amounts: £1,344,000 (SNP); £834,000 (Labour); £396,000 (Conservatives); £201,000 (Liberal Democrats); £150,000 (Greens).[45] An unlimited number of other organisations could register with the Electoral Commission, but their spending was limited to £150,000.[48] Groups spending more than £250,000 were required to submit audited returns to the Commission by 18 March 2015.[49]
According to the Scottish government's consultation paper published on 25 February 2010, the cost of the referendum was "likely to be around £9.5 million", mostly spent on running the poll and the count. Costs would also include the posting of one neutral information leaflet about the referendum to every Scottish household, and one free mailshot to every household or voter in the poll for the designated campaign organisations.[16] In April 2013, the projected cost of the referendum was £13.3 million;[50] the final administrative cost was £15.85 million.[51]
Campaigning organisations
[edit]The campaign in favour of Scottish independence, Yes Scotland, was launched on 25 May 2012.[52] Its chief executive was Blair Jenkins,[52] formerly the Director of Broadcasting at STV and Head of News and Current Affairs at both STV and BBC Scotland. The campaign was supported by the SNP,[52] the Scottish Green Party (which also created "its own pro-independence campaign to run alongside Yes Scotland")[53] and the Scottish Socialist Party.
At its launch, Salmond stated that he hoped one million people in Scotland would sign a declaration of support for independence.[54] On 22 August 2014, Yes Scotland announced that the one million target had been surpassed.[55]
The campaign in favour of Scotland remaining in the UK, Better Together, was launched on 25 June 2012.[56] It was led by Alistair Darling, former Chancellor of the Exchequer, and had support from the Conservative Party, Labour Party and Liberal Democrats.[56][57]
Advertising
[edit]Political advertising on television and radio in the UK was prohibited by the Communications Act 2003, with the exception of permitted party political broadcasts.[58] Three major cinema chains stopped showing adverts by referendum campaign groups after receiving negative feedback from their customers.[59]
Donations
[edit]In December 2013, the Better Together campaign declared that it had received donations of £2,800,000.[60] Six-figure contributions were made by businessmen Ian Taylor and Donald Houston, and by author C. J. Sansom.[61] Almost 27,000 donations of under £7,500 had been received by the same date.[61] A later donation came from writer J. K. Rowling, who announced in June 2014 that she had given £1,000,000 to the Better Together campaign.[60][61] In the following month, whisky distiller William Grant & Sons announced a donation of approximately £100,000.[62] On 12 August 2014, Better Together announced that it had raised enough money to cover the maximum spending permitted and was no longer accepting donations.[63] This was attributed in part to a large number of small donations being received after the first televised debate between First Minister Alex Salmond and Labour MP Alistair Darling.[63]
As of May 2014, the Yes Scotland campaign had declared £4,500,000 in cash donations.[60][61] EuroMillions lottery-winners Chris and Colin Weir gave £3,500,000.[60] A six-figure donation was given by investment fund manager Angus Tulloch; approximately 18,000 donations of less than £7,500 had been made by the same date.[61]
Voting process
[edit]Voting for the referendum commenced on 27 August 2014, with the receipt of ballots by postal voters. As of 15 August, 680,235 eligible voters had registered for postal voting, a 20% increase compared with March 2014.[64] During the postal vote phase, Police Scotland arrested a man from Glasgow on suspicion of selling his vote on eBay.[65]
The registration deadline for referendum voters was 2 September 2014.[64] Several councils reported the processing of "unprecedented" numbers of new registrations, while others received "tens of thousands" of applications in the final week.[66]
Outcome of the vote
[edit]The UK Government said that, if a simple majority of the vote was in favour of independence, then 'Scotland would become an independent country after a process of negotiations'.[67][68] If the majority opposed independence, Scotland would remain part of the United Kingdom.[67][68] Further powers would be devolved to the Scottish Parliament as a result of the Scotland Act 2012.[67][68] The Electoral Commission prepared an information leaflet which confirmed that the UK and Scottish governments had reached agreement on these points.[68] Cameron said in May 2014 that he believed that the referendum would be 'irreversible and binding'.[69] In the week before the referendum, both sides said they would abide by the result.[70] Salmond said that it was a 'once in a generation' event, citing the precedent of the two devolution referendums in 1979 and 1997.[71][72]
In the event of a majority for Yes, the Scottish Government had proposed an independence date of 24 March 2016.[73] It was suggested that, after negotiations concluded, the UK Parliament would legislate for Scottish independence to take place on the date that had been negotiated.[74][75] A report by a UK House of Lords committee published in May 2014 said that the UK could opt to delay the independence date.[76]
Issues
[edit]Agriculture
[edit]In 2013, as part of a European Union (EU) member state, Scottish farmers received £583 million in subsidy payments from the EU under the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).[77] Annual CAP payments are made to the UK, which then determines how much to allocate to each of the devolved administrations, including Scotland.[78] In the last CAP agreement, farmers in the UK qualified for additional convergence payments because Scottish farmers received a lower average single farm payment per hectare, mainly due to the mountainous terrain in Scotland.[78][79] Supporters of independence therefore believed that an independent Scotland would receive greater agricultural subsidies as an independent state.[78] Opponents of independence believed that Scottish farmers benefited from the Union because the UK was one of the larger EU member states, and therefore had a greater say in CAP negotiations.[78] They also questioned whether an independent Scotland would immediately receive full subsidy payments from the EU, as recent new member states had their subsidies phased in.[78]
Border controls and immigration
[edit]At the time of the independence referendum, the UK had some opt-outs from EU policies. One was the opt-out from the Schengen Area, meaning there were full passport checks for travellers from other EU countries except the Republic of Ireland, which was part of a Common Travel Area (CTA) with the UK. The Scottish government proposed that an independent Scotland would remain outside the Schengen Area and remain inside the CTA,[80][81] ensuring that no passport controls would be needed at the Anglo-Scottish border. Nicola Sturgeon commented that an independent Scotland would negotiate with the EU to have the same visa arrangements as the UK has.[82]
Alistair Carmichael, the Secretary of State for Scotland, said in January 2014 that it would make sense for Scotland to be in the CTA, but it would have to operate similar immigration policies to the rest of the UK.[81] This position was supported by Home Secretary Theresa May, who said in March 2014 that passport checks should be introduced if Scotland adopted a looser immigration policy.[81] The Conservative MP Richard Bacon said there would be "no reason" for border controls to be implemented.[83]
Childcare
[edit]In the white paper Scotland's Future, the Scottish government pledged to expand childcare provision in an independent Scotland.[84][85] The paper stated that this policy would cost £700 million, but that this would be financed by increased tax revenue from an additional 100,000 women returning to work.[84]
Scottish Labour leader Johann Lamont said that the policy should be implemented immediately if the Scottish government believed it would have a beneficial effect,[84] but Alex Salmond responded that under devolution the costs of the policy would have to be financed by cuts elsewhere in public expenditure.[84] In March 2014, the National Day Nurseries Association said that the plan could not be implemented unless greater funding was provided by local authorities to private nurseries.[86] A report by the Scottish Parliament Information Centre questioned the economic benefit of the policy, pointing out that there were only 64,000 mothers of children aged between 1 and 5 who were economically inactive.[87] A spokesman for Salmond said that the estimated total 104,000 women would enter the workforce over a longer period, as future generations of mothers would also be able to work, stating: "The key point about the policy is that it doesn't happen on one day or one year and then cease."[87]
Citizenship
[edit]The Scottish government proposed that all British citizens who had been born in Scotland would automatically become Scottish citizens on the date of independence, regardless of whether or not they were then living in Scotland. British citizens "habitually resident" in Scotland would also be considered Scottish citizens, even if they already held the citizenship of another country. Every person who would automatically be considered a Scottish citizen would be able to opt-out of Scottish citizenship provided they already held the citizenship of another country.[88] The Scottish government also proposed that anyone with a Scottish parent or grandparent would be able to apply for registration as a Scottish citizen, and any foreign national living in Scotland legally, or who had lived in Scotland for at least 10 years at any time and had an ongoing connection to Scotland, should be able to apply for naturalisation as a Scottish citizen.[88] UK Home Secretary Theresa May said the future policies of an independent Scottish government would affect whether Scottish citizens would be allowed to retain British citizenship.[89] An analysis paper published by the UK government in January 2014 stated that it was likely that Scots would be able to hold dual citizenship;[90] however, the duality was considered for all other countries, not specifically to the rest of the UK. The possibility of holding dual UK–Scotland citizenships could be subject to the "proof of affinity".[91]
Conspiracy theories
[edit]Supporters of Scottish independence promulgated conspiracy theories, including that MI5, the British government, and other intelligence agencies were pretending to be Scottish nationalists online, pretending to be "cybernats" (a derogatory term for supporters of Scottish nationalism online, especially trolls),[92] or engaging in ballot tampering or other forms of vote fraud.[93] A YouGov poll in early September showed 25 per cent of the electorate believed MI5 was working with the British government to block independence, with many voters so fearful that the marks made by the pencils provided in polling stations would be tampered with that they brought their own pens.[94]
Defence
[edit]Budget
[edit]The SNP said that there was a defence underspend of 'at least £7.4 billion' between 2002 and 2012 in Scotland and that independence would allow the Scottish government to correct this imbalance.[95] In its white paper, the Scottish government planned that an independent Scotland would have a total of 15,000 regular and 5,000 reserve personnel across land, air and maritime forces by 2026.[96] In July 2013, the SNP proposed that there would be a £2.5 billion annual military budget in an independent Scotland.[97] The House of Commons Defence Select Committee said that the £2.5bn budget was too low.[98] Andrew Murrison, UK Minister for International Security Strategy agreed and said it was 'risible' for the SNP to suggest it could create an independent force by 'salami-slicing' from current British armed forces units.[99]
The House of Commons defence committee also stated that Scottish independence would have a negative effect on its industry,[100] while the UK government said it would not be willing to build warships in a foreign country.[101] Geoff Searle, the director of BAE Systems' Type 26 Global Combat Ship programme, said in June 2014 that the company had no alternative plan for shipbuilding,[102] but this position was later revised by the Chairman of BAE, who stated that they could resume shipbuilding in the English city of Portsmouth if an independent Scotland was established.[103] The chief executive of Thales, one of Britain's largest defence suppliers, said that if Scotland became independent that this might raise questions about continued investment from his firm.[104]
The Royal United Services Institute said in 2012 that an independent Scotland could set up a Scottish Defence Force, comparable in size and strength to those of other small European states like Denmark, Norway, and Ireland, at an annual cost of £1.8 billion.[105] The authors acknowledged that an independent Scotland would 'need to come to some arrangement with the rest of the UK' on intelligence-gathering, cyber-warfare and cyber-defence, that the future cost of purchasing and maintaining equipment of its forces might be higher due to smaller orders, and that recruitment and training might 'prove problematic' in the early years.[105]
Dorcha Lee, a former colonel in the Irish Army, said that Scotland could eschew forming an army based on inherited resources from the British Army and instead follow an Irish model of a limited self-defence force.[106]
Nuclear weapons
[edit]At the time of the referendum, the Trident nuclear missile system was based at Coulport weapons depot and naval base of Faslane in the Firth of Clyde area. The SNP objected to having nuclear weapons on Scottish territory, but British military leaders said that there was no alternative site for the missiles.[107][108] In April 2014, several British military leaders co-signed a letter stating that forcing Trident to leave Scottish waters would place the UK nuclear deterrent in jeopardy.[109] Nowhere to Go, a report by Scottish CND, concluded that the removal of Trident from Scotland would force unilateral nuclear disarmament by the United Kingdom, as the weapons would have no viable alternative base.[110] A report by the Royal United Services Institute said that relocating Trident would be 'very difficult, but not impossible' and estimated it would take about 10 years and create an additional cost of around £3 billion.[111]
According to a seminar hosted by the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, that the Royal Navy would have to consider a range of alternatives, including disarmament.[112] A 2013 Scotland Institute report suggested a future Scottish government could be convinced to lease the Faslane nuclear base to the rest of the UK, in order to maintain good diplomatic relations and expedite NATO entry negotiations.[113]
NATO membership
[edit]SNP policy had historically been that an independent Scotland should not seek to obtain membership in NATO, but this was dropped after a vote by party members in 2012.[114] MSPs John Finnie and Jean Urquhart resigned from the SNP over this policy change.[115] The Scottish Green Party and Scottish Socialist Party continued their opposition to NATO membership.[116]
The SNP position that Trident nuclear weapons should be removed from Scotland but that it should hold NATO membership was criticised by Willie Rennie, leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats,[117] and Patrick Harvie, co-convenor of the Scottish Green Party.[118] Alex Salmond said it would be 'perfectly feasible' to join NATO while maintaining an anti-nuclear stance and that Scotland would pursue NATO membership only 'subject to an agreement that Scotland will not host nuclear weapons and NATO continues to respect the right of members to only take part in UN sanctioned operations'.[119] In 2013, Malcolm Chalmers of the Royal United Services Institute said that 'pragmatists' in the SNP accepted that NATO membership would likely involve a long-term basing deal, enabling the UK to keep Trident on the Clyde.[120]
The former Secretary General of NATO and Scottish Labour peer Lord Robertson said in 2013 that 'either the SNP accept the central nuclear role of NATO ... or they reject the nuclear role of NATO and ensure that a separate Scottish state stays out of the world's most successful defence alliance.'[121] General Richard Shirreff criticised SNP defence proposals and questioned whether other NATO members would accept an independent Scotland that rejected the principle of nuclear deterrence.[122] This was disputed by Mariot Leslie, a former UK permanent representative to NATO, who said that NATO would not want to disrupt its arrangements by excluding Scotland.[123]
Intelligence
[edit]A UK government paper on security said that Police Scotland would lose access to the UK intelligence apparatus, including MI5, SIS, and GCHQ,[124] and that an independent Scottish state would need to build security infrastructure.[124] Theresa May commented that an independent Scotland would have access to less security capability, but would not necessarily face a reduced threat.[124] In 2013, Allan Burnett, former head of intelligence with Strathclyde Police and Scotland's counter-terrorism coordinator until 2010, said that 'an independent Scotland would face less of a threat, intelligence institutions will be readily created, and allies will remain allies'. Peter Jackson, professor of security at the University of Glasgow, agreed that Police Scotland's Special Branch could form a 'suitable nucleus' of a Scottish equivalent of MI5 and that Scotland could forego creating an equivalent of MI6, instead 'relying on pooled intelligence or diplomatic open sources' like Canada or the Nordic countries.[125] Baroness Ramsay, a Labour peer and former case officer with MI6, said that the Scottish government's stance on intelligence was 'extremely naïve' and that it was "not going to be as simple as they think".[125] Nicola Sturgeon said that Scotland would create a security service like MI5 to work alongside police and tackle terrorism, cyber-attacks and serious organised crime,[126] and that creating an external intelligence agency would remain an option.[126]
Democracy
[edit]The Scottish government and pro-independence campaigners said there was a democratic deficit in Scotland[127] because the UK was a unitary state without a codified constitution.[128] The SNP also called the unelected House of Lords an 'affront to democracy'.[129] The 'democratic deficit' label has sometimes been used to refer to the period between the 1979 and 1997 UK general elections, during which the Labour Party held a majority of Scottish seats but the Conservative Party governed the whole of the UK.[130] Salmond said in September 2013 that instances such as this amounted to a lack of democracy, and that 'people who live and work in Scotland are the people most likely to make the right choices for Scotland'.[131][132] In January 2012, Patrick Harvie said: 'Greens have a vision of a more radical democracy in Scotland, with far greater levels of discussion and decision making at community level.'[133] The Scottish Government intended that an independent Scotland should have a written constitution that 'expresses our values, embeds the rights of our citizens and sets out clearly how our institutions of state interact with each other and serve the people'.[134]
Menzies Campbell wrote in April 2014 that any democratic deficit had been addressed by creating the devolved Scottish Parliament, and that 'Scotland and the Scottish have enjoyed influence beyond our size or reasonable expectation' within the British government and the wider political system.[135] Conservative MP Daniel Kawczynski said in 2009 that the UK's asymmetric devolution had created a democratic deficit for England.[136] This was commonly known as the West Lothian question, which cited the anomaly whereby English MPs could not vote on affairs devolved to Scotland but Scottish MPs could vote on the equivalent subjects in England. Kawczynski also pointed out that the average number of voters in a parliamentary constituency was larger in England than in Scotland.[136]
During the campaign, each of the three main UK parties conducted reviews of the UK constitution, with each recommending that more powers should devolve to the Scottish Parliament.[137][138] On the morning before a televised debate between Alex Salmond and Alistair Darling,[139] Better Together published a joint statement. Co-signed by the three main UK party leaders (David Cameron, Ed Miliband and Nick Clegg), it committed to granting Scotland increased power over domestic taxes and parts of the social security system.[140] Boris Johnson, the Conservative mayor of London, said he opposed giving the Scottish Parliament greater fiscal powers.[141] During the second televised debate, Salmond challenged Darling to specify which additional powers that could help create greater employment in Scotland would be granted if there was a 'no' vote.[142] During a visit to Scotland later that week, David Cameron promised more powers 'soon'.[142]
On 8 September, former Prime Minister Gordon Brown suggested a timetable for the additional powers to be implemented in the event of a 'no' vote.[143] He proposed that work on a new Scotland Act would begin immediately after the referendum, resulting in the publication of a white paper by the end of November 2014.[143] Two days before the referendum, the three main UK party leaders publicly pledged to introduce 'extensive new powers' by the timetable suggested and that the Barnett formula of public funding would continue.[144]
Economy
[edit]A principal issue in the referendum was the economy.[146] Weir Group, one of the largest private companies based in Scotland, commissioned a study by Oxford Economics into the potential economic effects of Scottish independence.[147] It found that Weir would pay more corporation tax, despite the Scottish government's proposal to cut the rate of corporation tax, due to it no longer being able to offset losses in Scotland against profits in the rest of the UK.[147] It also stated that independence would result in additional costs and complexity in the operation of business pension schemes.[147] The report found that 70% of all Scottish exports are sold to the rest of the UK, which it said would particularly affect the financial services sector.[147] Standard Life, one of the Scottish financial sector's largest businesses, said in February 2014 that it had started registering companies in England in case it had to relocate some of its operations there.[148]
In February 2014, the Financial Times noted that Scotland's per capita GDP was bigger than that of France when a geographic share of oil and gas was taken into account, and still bigger than that of Italy when it was not.[149] As of April 2014, Scotland had a similar rate of unemployment to the UK average (6.6%)[150] and a lower fiscal deficit (including as a percentage of GDP).[151] Scotland performed better than the UK average in securing new Foreign Direct Investment in 2012–13 (measured by the number of projects), although not as well as Wales or Northern Ireland.[152] GDP growth during 2013 was lower in Scotland than in the rest of the UK, although this was partly due to an industrial dispute at the Grangemouth Refinery.[153]
Deutsche Bank issued a report in the week before the referendum in which David Folkerts-Landau, the bank's chief economist, concluded: 'While it may sound simple and costless for a nation to exit a 300-year-old union, nothing could be further from the truth'. Folkerts-Landau said the economic prospects after a 'yes' vote were 'incomprehensible', and cited Winston Churchill's 1925 Gold Standard decision and the actions of America's Federal Reserve that triggered the Great Depression of the 1930s as mistakes of a similar magnitude. The Swiss financial services company UBS supported Deutsche Bank's position.[154]
Supporters of independence said that Scotland had not realised its full economic potential because it was subject to the same economic policy as the rest of the UK.[155][156] In 2013, the Jimmy Reid Foundation published a report stating that UK economic policy had become 'overwhelmingly geared to helping London, meaning Scotland and other UK regions suffer from being denied the specific, local policies they need'.[157] Later in January 2014, Colin Fox said that Scotland is 'penalised by an economic model biased towards the South East of England'.[155] In November 2013, Chic Brodie said that Scotland was deprived of economic benefit in the 1980s after the Ministry of Defence blocked oil exploration off the West of Scotland, ostensibly to avoid interference with the UK's nuclear weapons arsenal.[158]
Banking system
[edit]The UK Treasury issued a report on 20 May 2013 which said that Scotland's banking systems would be too big to ensure depositor compensation in the event of a bank failure.[159] The report indicated that Scottish banks would have assets worth 1,254% of GDP, which was more than Cyprus and Iceland before the global financial crisis of the late 2000s.[159] It suggested Scottish taxpayers would each have £65,000 of potential liabilities during a hypothetical bailout in Scotland, versus £30,000 as part of the UK.[159] Economists including Andrew Hughes Hallett, Professor of Economics at St Andrews University, rejected the idea that Scotland would have to underwrite these liabilities alone. He observed that banks operating in more than one country can be given a joint bailout by multiple governments.[160] In this way, France, Belgium, and the Netherlands collectively bailed out Fortis Bank and the Dexia Bank.[160] The American Federal Reserve System lent more than $1 trillion to British banks, including $446 billion to the Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS), because they had operations in the United States.[160][161]
Robert Peston reported in March 2014 that RBS and Lloyds Banking Group might be forced to relocate their head offices from Edinburgh to London in case of Scottish independence, due to a European law brought in after the 1991 collapse of the Bank of Credit and Commerce International.[162] Financial groups including RBS, Lloyds, Clydesdale Bank, TSB, and Tesco Bank later announced that they planned to move their registered headquarters from Scotland to England if Scotland voted for independence, although most indicated that they had no immediate intention to transfer any jobs.[163][164]
Currency
[edit]Another major economic issue was the currency that an independent Scotland would use.[165] The principal options were to establish an independent Scottish currency, join the euro, or retain the pound sterling[165] (a form of currency substitution).[166]
Throughout the 1990s and early 2000s, the SNP's policy was that an independent Scotland should adopt the euro,[167] though this was relegated to a long-term rather than short-term goal by the party's 2009 conference.[168][169] There was disagreement over whether Scotland would be required to join the euro if it became an EU member state in its own right. All new members are required to commit to joining the single currency, but they must first be party to ERM II for two years. The Scottish government argued that this was a de facto opt-out from the euro, because EU member states are not obliged to join ERM II.[170] For example, the people of Sweden rejected adopting the euro in a 2003 referendum[171] and its government subsequently refused to enter ERM II.[172]
The SNP favoured continued use of sterling in an independent Scotland through a formal currency union with the UK, with the Bank of England setting its interest rates and monetary policy and acting as its central bank.[173] The white paper Scotland's Future identified five key reasons that a currency union 'would be in both Scotland and the UK's interests immediately post-independence': Scotland's main trading partner is the UK (two-thirds of exports in 2011); 'companies operating in Scotland and the UK [...have] complex cross-border supply chains'; there is high labour mobility; 'on key measurements of an optimal currency area, the Scottish and UK economies score well'; and short-term economic trends in the UK and Scotland have 'a relatively high degree of synchronicity'.[96]
In June 2012, Alistair Darling said voters in the rest of the UK could choose not to be in a currency union with Scotland.[174][175] Former Prime Minister Sir John Major rejected the idea of a currency union, saying it would require the UK to underwrite Scottish debt.[176] Former Prime Minister Gordon Brown said the SNP proposal would create a 'colonial relationship' between Scotland and Westminster.[177] Welsh First Minister Carwyn Jones said in November 2013 that he would seek a veto on a currency union between Scotland and the rest of the UK.[178]
Yes Scotland said that a currency union would benefit both Scotland and the rest of the UK, as Scotland's exports would boost the balance of payments, and consequently strengthen the exchange rate of sterling.[179] Meanwhile, UK economists and financial experts said the effect on the balance of payments and the exchange rate would be 'largely neutral'.[180][181] Sterling fell by almost one cent against the US dollar in a day early in September 2014, due to an opinion poll showing a swing towards the Yes campaign.[182] The Financial Times reported a few days later that 'Asset managers, investors and pension savers are moving billions of pounds out of Scotland' because of fears that Scotland would leave the UK.[183] The newspaper also reported that '"exit clauses" are being inserted into commercial property contracts in Scotland to allow buyers to scrap deals or renegotiate prices if voters opt for independence'.[183]
The Scottish government said that having no currency union could cost businesses in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland £500 million in transaction charges when trading with an independent Scotland;[184][185] Plaid Cymru treasury spokesperson Jonathan Edwards said that such costs were a 'threat to Welsh business'.[185] Scottish Labour leader Johann Lamont said that any additional transaction costs would fall largely on Scottish companies, costing businesses in Scotland 11 times more than those in England.[186] The Institute of Directors said that any new transaction costs would 'pale in comparison to the financial danger of entering an unstable currency union'.[186]
Banking experts said that being the 'junior partner' in a currency arrangement could amount to 'a loss of fiscal autonomy for Scotland' if policy constraints were imposed on the Scottish state.[187] Angus Armstrong of the National Institute of Economic and Social Research wrote that the implicit constraints on its economic policy would be more restrictive than the explicit ones it faced as part of the UK.[188] Salmond said in February 2014 that an independent Scotland in a currency union would retain tax and spending powers.[189] Gavin McCrone, former chief economic adviser to the Scottish Office, said that Scotland's retention of the pound would be pragmatic initially, but problematic thereafter if a Scottish government wished to implement independent policies, and warned that keeping the pound could lead to the relocation of Scottish banks to London.[190]
The UK Chancellor George Osborne, as well as equivalent post-holders in the two other main UK political parties, rejected the idea of a formal currency union with an independent Scotland in February 2014.[191] Shadow Chancellor Ed Balls said the SNP's proposals for a currency union were 'economically incoherent'[192] and that any currency option for an independent Scotland would be 'less advantageous than what we have across the UK today'.[193][194] After the three main UK political parties ruled out a formal currency union, the Adam Smith Institute said that the economies of Panama, Ecuador, and El Salvador 'demonstrate that the informal use of another country's currency can foster a healthy financial system and economy'.[166] In September 2014, former European Commissioner Olli Rehn said that an independent Scotland would be unable to meet EU membership requirements if it shared sterling informally, as it would not have an independent central bank.[195] Salmond disputed this, restating his belief that a sterling currency union would be formed and pledging to create the necessary financial institutions.[195]
The Scottish Socialist Party favoured an independent Scottish currency, pegged to sterling in the short term.[196] The Scottish Green Party said that keeping sterling as 'a short term transitional arrangement' should not be ruled out, but also that the Scottish Government should 'keep an open mind about moving towards an independent currency'.[197] In early 2013, the Jimmy Reid Foundation described retention of the pound as a good transitional arrangement, but recommended the eventual establishment of an independent Scottish currency to 'insulate' Scotland from the UK's 'economic instability'.[198] Other proponents of an independent Scottish currency included Yes Scotland chairman Dennis Canavan and former SNP deputy leader Jim Sillars.[199]
On 9 September 2014, Mark Carney, governor of the Bank of England, said that a currency union between an independent Scotland and the remainder of the UK would be 'incompatible with sovereignty'. He added that cross-border ties on tax, spending and banking rules are a prerequisite: 'You only have to look across the continent to look at what happens if you don't have those components in place ... You need tax, revenues and spending flowing across those borders to help equalise, to an extent, some of the inevitable differences [across the union].'[200] A spokesperson for the SNP's finance minister said: 'successful independent countries such as France, Germany, Finland and Austria all share a currency – and they are in charge of 100% of their tax revenues, as an independent Scotland would be. At present under devolution, Scotland controls only 7% of our revenues.'[200] Carney's comments received vocal support from Darling and the GMB trade union.[200]
Government revenues and expenditure
[edit]The Barnett formula, introduced in the late 1970s, had resulted in higher per-capita public spending in Scotland than England.[201] If an allocation of North Sea oil revenue based on geography was included, Scotland also produced more per capita tax revenue than the UK average in the years immediately preceding the referendum.[202][203] The Institute for Fiscal Studies reported in November 2012 that a geographic share of North Sea oil would more than cover the higher public spending, but warned that oil prices are volatile and that they are drawn from a finite resource.[203] The Government Expenditure and Revenue Scotland report for 2012/13 found that North Sea oil revenue had fallen by 41.5% and that Scotland's public spending deficit had increased from £4.6 billion to £8.6 billion.[204][205]
In May 2014, the UK government published an analysis identifying a 'Union dividend' of £1,400 per year for each person in Scotland, mainly due to the higher level of public spending.[206] The Scottish government disputed this analysis, saying that each Scot would be £1,000 better off per year under independence by 2030.[206] Three economic experts said that both estimates were possible, but they depended on unknown variables such as the division of UK government debt, future North Sea oil revenues, possible spending commitments of an independent Scotland and future productivity gains.[207]
In its analysis, the UK government also estimated setup costs of £1.5 billion (1% of GDP) for establishing an independent state, or possibly £2.7 billion (180 public bodies costing £15 million each).[208][209] Patrick Dunleavy of the London School of Economics criticised the UK government's 'ludicrous' use of his research in arriving at the latter figure.[209] The Treasury said that their main figure (£1.5 billion) was based on estimates by Robert Young of Western University.[210][211] Two of the main unionist parties in Scotland called on the SNP to publish their own estimate of the setup costs of an independent state,[209] but the Scottish government said that an estimate was not possible as the final bill would depend on negotiations with the rest of the UK.[212] Dunleavy estimated immediate setup costs of £200 million in a report commissioned by The Sunday Post,[213] with 'total transition costs' of between £600 million and £1,500 million in the first 10 years of independence.[214]
The credit rating that an independent Scotland would merit also became a subject of debate.[215][216] The credit-rating agency Fitch said in 2012 that it could not give an opinion on what rating Scotland would have, because Scottish finances would largely depend on the result of negotiations between the UK and Scotland and specifically the division of UK assets and liabilities.[216] Standard & Poor's, another credit-rating agency, asserted in February 2014 that Scotland would face 'significant, but not unsurpassable' challenges, and that 'even excluding North Sea output and calculating per capita GDP only by looking at onshore income, Scotland would qualify for our highest economic assessment'.[217] Research published by Moody's in May 2014 said that an independent Scotland would be given an A rating, comparable with Poland, the Czech Republic and Mexico.[218] An A rating would have been two grades below its then rating for the UK, which Moody's said would be unaffected by Scottish independence.[218]
Energy
[edit]Energy market
[edit]The UK government controlled most energy issues,[219] although control over planning laws had allowed the Scottish government to prevent the construction of new nuclear power stations in Scotland.[219] Supporters of independence wanted to retain a single energy market for the whole of Great Britain after independence, to maintain price stability and support for suppliers.[219] Opponents said that independence would threaten that single energy market.[219] Euan Phimister, professor of economics at Aberdeen University, said that although independence would affect the relationship, it was likely that there would be continued English demand for electricity generated in Scotland due to the lack of spare capacity elsewhere.[220][221] The second largest supplier of energy in the UK, SSE plc, believed that a single market would be the most likely outcome under independence, although it would require negotiations that may have led to changes to the existing system.[222]
Labour MP Caroline Flint said that independence would mean higher energy bills in Scotland, as its customers would have to pay more to support renewable energy in Scotland, which represented one-third of the UK total.[220] Euan Phimister said that bills were likely to increase across the whole of Great Britain because renewable schemes and new nuclear power stations in England were receiving higher subsidies than the power plants which were due for closure due to environmental regulations.[220] He also said that there was a distinction between existing and proposed renewable schemes in that the existing schemes had already been paid for, whereas any new construction required the promise of subsidy from the consumer.[220] Energy and Climate Change Secretary Ed Davey said Scottish generators would no longer be eligible for UK subsidies, which would increase energy bills for consumers.[223]
North Sea oil
[edit]Approximately 90% of the United Kingdom's North Sea oil fields were located in Scottish territorial waters. The tax revenue generated from an offshore site was not counted within the nation or region nearest to it, but was instead allocated to the UK Continental Shelf. The revenue from North Sea oil was used to support current expenditure, and the UK did not create a sovereign oil fund (as in Norway).[224][225] The SNP believed that a portion of the revenues should have been invested in a sovereign oil fund. The Scottish government, citing industry body Oil and Gas UK, estimated in Scotland's Future that there were 24 billion barrels of oil equivalent still to be extracted.[226] Sir Ian Wood, founder of oil services company Wood Group, said in August 2014 that he believed there were between 15 and 16.5 billion boe and that the impact from declining production would be felt by 2030.[226] In September 2014, an investigation by industry recruitment website Oil and Gas People found that there were extensive oil reserves to the west of the Western Isles and Shetland.[227] The report anticipated that the region would be developed within the next 10 years because of improvements in drilling technology, rig design and surveying.[227]
European Union
[edit]The SNP advocated that an independent Scotland should become a full member state of the European Union (EU) with some exemptions, such as not having to adopt the euro. There was debate over whether Scotland would be required to reapply for membership and whether it could retain the UK's opt-outs.[228][229] The European Commission (EC) offered to provide an opinion to an existing member state on the matter, but the UK government confirmed it would not seek this advice, as it did not want to negotiate the terms of independence in advance of the referendum.[230]
There was no precedent for an EU member state dividing into two sovereign countries after joining the EU.[231] Supporters of independence stated that an independent Scotland would become an EU member by treaty amendment under Article 48 of the EU treaties. Opponents said that this would not be possible and that an independent Scotland would need to apply for EU membership under Article 49, which would require ratification by each member state.[232]
In March 2014, Christina McKelvie, Convener of the European and External Relations Committee of the Scottish Parliament, asked Viviane Reding, Vice-President of the European Commission, whether Article 48 would apply.[233] Reding replied that EU treaties would no longer apply to a territory that secedes from a member state.[234] She also said that Article 49 would be the route to apply to become a member of the EU.[234] José Manuel Barroso, president of the European Commission, said earlier that an independent Scotland would have to apply for EU membership, while the rest of the UK would continue to be a member.[235] In 2014, he reiterated that for Scotland to join the EU would be 'extremely difficult, if not impossible'.[236]
Former prime minister Sir John Major suggested in November 2013 that Scotland would need to reapply for EU membership, but that this would mean overcoming opposition to separatism among other member states.[237] The Independent reported that Spain could block Scottish membership of the EU, amid fears of repercussions with separatist movements in Catalonia and the Basque Country:[238] in November 2013 Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy said: 'I know for sure that a region that would separate from a member state of the European Union would remain outside the European Union and that should be known by the Scots and the rest of the European citizens.'[239] He also said that an independent Scotland would become a 'third country' outside the EU and would require the consent of all 28 EU states to rejoin the EU, but that he would not seek to block its entry.[239] Salmond cited a letter from Mario Tenreiro of the EC's secretariat general that said it would be legally possible to renegotiate the situation of the UK and Scotland within the EU by unanimous agreement of all member states.[240] Spain's European Affairs minister reiterated their position two days before the referendum.[241]
Sir David Edward, a former European Court judge, said that the EU institutions and member states would be 'obliged' to start negotiations before independence took effect to decide the future relationship.[242] He said this would be achieved by agreed amendment of the existing Treaties (Article 48), rather than a new Accession Treaty (Article 49).[229][242] Graham Avery, the EC's honorary director-general, agreed with Edward.[243] Avery wrote a report, published by the European Policy Centre, which said that EU leaders would probably allow Scotland to be part of the EU because of the legal and practical difficulties that would arise from excluding it.[244] In a research paper, Professor Sionaidh Douglas-Scott of Oxford University wrote that the EU law normally takes a 'pragmatic and purposive approach' to issues not already provided for by existing treaties.[245] Research published by the Economic and Social Research Council in August 2014 concluded that it was unlikely that an independent Scotland would be cut off from the rights and obligations of EU membership for any period of time, even if Scotland was not formally a member state of the EU from its date of independence.[246]
In January 2013, the Republic of Ireland's Minister of European Affairs, Lucinda Creighton, said that if Scotland were to become independent, it 'would have to apply for membership and that can be a lengthy process'.[247] She later clarified those remarks, writing that she 'certainly did not at any stage suggest that Scotland could, should or would be thrown out of the EU'.[248] In May 2013, Roland Vaubel, an Alternative for Germany adviser,[249] published a paper stating that Scotland would remain a member of the EU upon independence, and suggested there would need to be negotiations between the British and Scottish governments on sharing 'the rights and obligations of the predecessor state'. He also said that Barroso's comments on the legal position had 'no basis in the European treaties'.[250]
Future status of the United Kingdom in the European Union
[edit]In January 2013, David Cameron committed the Conservative Party to a referendum before the end of 2017 on UK membership of the EU if they won the 2015 general election.[251] Legislation for an in/out EU referendum was approved by the House of Commons in November 2013.[252] Studies showed some divergence in attitudes to the EU in Scotland and the rest of the UK. Although a Scottish government review based on survey data between 1999 and 2005 found that people in Scotland reported "broadly similar Eurosceptic views as people in Britain as a whole",[253] Ipsos MORI noted in February 2013 that while 58% of voters in Scotland supported holding a referendum on EU membership, a majority also said they would vote to remain in the bloc. In contrast, there was a majority for withdrawal in England.[254]
Yes Scotland said that the UK government plans for an EU referendum had caused "economic uncertainty" for Scotland.[255] During a CBI Scotland event attended by Cameron, businessman Michael Rake criticised him for creating uncertainty about EU membership.[256] In response to such criticism, Cameron pointed to examples of inward investment in the UK that he said was not happening in the rest of Europe.[256] Some commentators suggested that the UK leaving the EU could undermine the case for Scottish independence, since free trade, freedom of movement and the absence of border controls between Scotland and England could no longer be assumed.[257][258][259]
Health care
[edit]Responsibility for most aspects of health care was devolved to the Scottish Parliament when it was established in 1999.[260] The Scottish government enacted health policies which were different from those in England, such as abolishing charges for prescriptions and elderly personal care.[260] NHS Scotland was operationally independent of the NHS in the rest of the United Kingdom since the formation of the NHS in 1948.[261][262] Supporters of independence argued that independence was needed because possible reductions in the NHS budget in England would result in reduced funding for Scotland, which would make it difficult to maintain the existing service.[262] Harry Burns, a former chief medical officer for Scotland, said in July 2014 that he thought independence could be beneficial for public health because it may give people greater control of their lives.[263]
In May 2014, about 100 medical workers, including surgeons, consultant doctors, GPs, pharmacists, dentists, hospital porters and janitors joined a pro-independence campaign group called "NHS for Yes". Its co-founder described health care in Scotland as "a shining example of self-government for Scotland demonstrably being far better than Westminster government" and said independence would "protect [NHS Scotland] from future Westminster funding cuts, and the damaging impact of privatisation south of the border".[264] In contrast, opponents argued that a subsequent drop in funding to an independent Scottish Government would have a significantly larger effect upon the budget. Concerns were also raised about the impact on the medical research sector in Scotland from the loss of UK wide research funding.[265]
Two days before the referendum, papers indicating "a funding gap of £400–£450m in the next two financial years, 2015–17", for Scotland's NHS, resulting from Scottish government policies, were leaked to the media.[266] A Scottish government spokesperson commented that the papers were from "part of the regular discussions among NHS leaders to plan for NHS Scotland's future".[266]
Specialist treatment
[edit]Opponents of independence said that being part of the UK was crucial in allowing Scots to obtain specialist treatment elsewhere in the UK.[262] Although operationally independent, NHS Scotland had reciprocal arrangements in place with the NHS services in the rest of the UK and specialist services were shared.[261] Vote No Borders, a unionist campaign group, ran a cinema advert which claimed that Scots would find it more difficult to obtain treatment at the Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH), a London facility which provided specialist care for children.[267][268] Vote No Borders withdrew the advert after GOSH complained that it had not been consulted about the advert and stated that they had reciprocal health care agreements with numerous countries.[267][268]
International relations
[edit]The white paper on independence proposed that an independent Scotland would open around 100 embassies around the world.[126] Prime Minister David Cameron suggested that an independent Scotland would be "marginalised" at the United Nations, where the UK is a permanent member of the Security Council.[269] Former Prime Minister John Major suggested that the UK could lose its permanent seat at the Security Council if Scotland became independent.[270]
Monarchy
[edit]Forming a republic was favoured by some pro-independence political parties and organisations, including the Scottish Green Party[271] and the Scottish Socialist Party.[272] The SNP favoured an independent Scotland continuing to recognise Elizabeth II as Queen of Scotland. Christine Grahame MSP said she believed that party policy was to hold a referendum on the matter,[273] due to a 1997 SNP conference resolution.[274]
Some media reports suggested that the announcement on 8 September of the pregnancy of the Duchess of Cambridge with her second child would help pro-union sentiment.[275][276] The Queen's official position on Scottish independence was neutral.[277] Just prior to the referendum, Elizabeth II said in a private conversation that she hoped people would "think very carefully about the future".[278]
Pensions
[edit]UK State Pensions were managed by the UK government, paying £113.10 per week to a single person who is of state pension age in the 2013/14 tax year.[279] The state pension age for men was 65, but this was due to rise to 66 in 2020 and 67 by 2028.[279] Research by the National Institute of Economic and Social Research found that an independent Scotland could delay these increases, due to a lower life expectancy.[280] The Scotland's Future white paper pledged to maintain a state pension at a similar rate to the UK.[281]
Former UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown said in April 2014 that Scotland had an above-average share of the public-sector pension bill and concluded that pensions would be protected by sharing risks and resources within the UK.[282] UK government pensions minister Steve Webb said in May 2014 that Scots would be entitled to the current levels of state pension after independence because they had accumulated rights within the existing system.[283] Webb went on to say that there would need to be negotiations between the UK and Scotland as to how these pensions would be paid.[283]
In relation to private pension schemes, a report by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland expressed concern that there were no plans to deal with EU regulations that may affect the funding of cross-border defined benefit schemes.[284] The EC decided in March 2014 not to relax these regulations, which require cross-border schemes to be fully funded.[285]
Sport
[edit]Scotland hosted the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, less than two months before the referendum.[286][287] The Scottish team won a record number of gold medals, which the writer Alan Bisset said would help give voters more belief and confidence.[286] Sunday Herald columnist Ian Bell took an opposing view, saying that sporting success would be unlikely to aid support for independence, due to the lengthy and passionate debate on the subject.[286]
Former Labour first minister Henry McLeish published a report in May 2014 that found no obvious barriers to an independent Scotland competing in the 2016 Summer Olympics.[288] McLeish said that some athletes, particularly those in team sports, may choose to compete for the existing Great Britain team rather than Scotland, as they would be nationals of both states.[288] International Olympic Committee representative Craig Reedie pointed out that Scotland would need to obtain United Nations membership and may want to set its own Olympic qualifying standards, which would need to be done in the period between independence (March 2016) and the closing date for entries (July 2016).[288][289]
Gordon Brown pointed to the 2012 medal count for Great Britain, saying that it showed the success of the union.[290] Scottish athletes were involved in 13 of the 65 medals won by Great Britain in 2012, but only three of those were won without assistance by athletes from other parts of the UK.[291] Sir Chris Hoy said in May 2013 that it would "take time" for Scottish athletes to "establish themselves in a new training environment", and indicated that the good performance of Scottish athletes in the Great Britain team would not automatically translate into that of an independent Scotland team.[292] Hoy also said that he believed the lack of facilities and coaching infrastructure in Scotland would have to be addressed by an independent state.[292]
Status of Northern and Western Isles
[edit]The prospect of an independent Scotland raised questions about the future of the Northern Isles (Orkney and Shetland) and the Western Isles, island groups off the Scottish mainland. Some islanders called for separate referendums to be held in the islands on 25 September 2014, one week after the Scottish referendum.[293][294][295] In March 2014, the Scottish Parliament published an online petition it had received calling for such referendums, which was supported by Shetland MSP Tavish Scott.[296] The proposed referendums would have asked islanders to choose from three options: that the island group should become an independent country; that it should remain in Scotland; or that (in the event of Scottish independence) it should remain in the UK.[297] The third option would have implemented a conditional promise made in 2012 by an SNP spokesperson, who said that Orkney and Shetland could remain in the United Kingdom if their "drive for self-determination" was strong enough.[298]
Politicians in the three island groups referred to the Scottish referendum as the most important event in their political history "since the inception of the island councils in 1975".[299] Angus Campbell, leader of the Western Isles, said that the ongoing constitutional debate offered the "opportunity for the three island councils to secure increased powers for our communities to take decisions which will benefit the economies and the lives of those who live in the islands".[299] In a meeting of the island councils in March 2013, leaders of the three territories discussed their future in the event of Scottish independence.[300] This included whether the islands could demand and achieve autonomous status within either Scotland or the rest of the UK. Among the scenarios proposed were achieving either Crown Dependency status or self-government modelled after the Faroe Islands, in association with either Scotland or the UK.[300] Steven Heddle, Orkney's council leader, described pursuing Crown Dependency status as the least likely option, as it would threaten funding from the EU, which was essential for local farmers.[300] Alasdair Allan, MSP for the Western Isles, said independence could have a positive impact on the isles, as "crofters and farmers could expect a substantial uplift in agricultural and rural development funding via the Common Agricultural Policy if Scotland were an independent member state of the EU".[301]
In July 2013, the Scottish government made the Lerwick Declaration, indicating an interest in devolving power to Scotland's islands. By November, it had committed to devolving further powers to Orkney, Shetland and the Western Isles in the event of independence.[302] Steven Heddle called for legislation to that effect to be introduced regardless of the referendum result.[303]
A day before the referendum Alistair Carmichael, the MP for Orkney and Shetland, and then-Secretary of State for Scotland, suggested that if Shetland were to vote strongly against independence but the Scottish national vote was narrowly in favour, a discussion should be had about Shetland becoming a self-governing crown dependency outside of independent Scotland, similar to the Isle of Man. He stated that he did not want such circumstances to arise, "and the best way to avoid this was to vote no in the referendum".[304][305]
Universities
[edit]Scientific research
[edit]In 2012–13, Scottish universities received 13.1% of Research Councils UK funding.[306] Alan Trench of University College London said that Scottish universities had received a "hugely disproportionate" level of funding and would no longer be able to access it following independence. Willie Rennie, leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats, suggested that independence would mean Scottish universities losing £210m in research funding.[307] The Institute of Physics in Scotland warned that access to international facilities such as the CERN Large Hadron Collider, the European Space Agency, and European Southern Observatory could require renegotiation by the Scottish government.[308] It also expressed concerns about research funding from UK charities and the reaction of international companies with Scottish facilities.[308]
The Scottish government's education secretary, Michael Russell, said that Scotland's universities had a "global reputation" that would continue to attract investment after independence.[309] In September 2013, the principal of the University of Aberdeen said that Scottish universities could continue to access UK research funding through a "single research area" that crossed both nations' boundaries.[310] David Bell, professor of economics at the University of Stirling, said that cross-border collaboration might continue, but Scottish universities could still lose their financial advantage.[311] Roger Cook of the Scotland Institute pointed out that although Scottish universities had received a higher share of Research Councils funding, they were much less dependent on this as a source of funding than their counterparts in England.[124] Professors from Scotland's five medical schools wrote an open letter warning that independence would mean Scotland's researcher base being "denied its present ability to win proportionately more grant funding".[312]
Questions were asked whether Scotland, as an economy of a smaller size than the UK, would still support the same level of research activity, and what additional efforts might be required to establish a system of research councils "north of the border".[313][314] Jo Shaw, Salvesen chair of European institutions at the University of Edinburgh, noted that in smaller states, relationships between universities and research funders became "cosy", and led to a "corporatist" approach.[315]
Student funding
[edit]At the time of the referendum, Students domiciled in Scotland did not pay tuition fees.[316] Students domiciled in the rest of the UK were charged fees of up to £9,000 per annum by Scottish universities,[317] but those from other EU member states were not charged fees due to EU law.[318]
If Scotland had become an independent state, students from the rest of the UK would have been in the same position as students from the rest of the EU.[317] A University of Edinburgh study found that this would cause a loss in funding, which could have squeezed out Scottish students.[317] The study suggested three courses of action for an independent Scotland: introducing tuition fees for all students; negotiating an agreement with the EU where a quota of student places would be reserved for Scots; or introducing a separate admissions service for students from other EU member states, with an admission fee attached.[317] It concluded that the EU may allow a quota system for some specialist subjects, such as medicine, where there was a clear need for local students to be trained for particular careers, but that other subjects would not be eligible.[317] The study also found that their third suggestion would run against the spirit of the Bologna agreement, which aimed to encourage EU student mobility.[317]
The Scottish government stated in its white paper, Scotland's Future, that the present tuition fees arrangement would remain in place in an independent Scotland, as the EU allowed for different fee arrangements in "exceptional circumstances".[319] Ján Figeľ, a former EU commissioner for education, said in January 2014 that it would be illegal for an independent Scotland to apply a different treatment to students from the rest of the UK.[320] The Law Society of Scotland concurred.[321] A report by a House of Commons select committee stated that it would cost an independent Scottish government £150 million to provide free tuition to students from the rest of the UK.[319] A group of academics campaigning for independence expressed concern that the present arrangements would not continue if Scotland stayed within the UK, due to public spending cuts in England and the consequential effects of the Barnett formula.[322]
Welfare
[edit]The Yes campaign argued that control of welfare policy would be a major benefit of independence.[323] According to the Institute for Fiscal Studies, independence would "give the opportunity for more radical reform, so that the [welfare] system better reflects the views of the Scottish people".[324] Yes Scotland and deputy first minister Nicola Sturgeon said the existing welfare system could only be guaranteed by voting for independence.[325][326] In September 2013, the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO), which represents charities, called for a separate welfare system to be established in Scotland.[327]
In November 2013, the Scottish government pledged to use the powers of independence to reverse key aspects of the Welfare Reform Act 2012, which was implemented across the UK despite opposition from a majority of Scotland's MPs. It said it would abolish Universal Credit[328] and the bedroom tax.[329] The SNP also criticised Rachel Reeves, Labour's shadow secretary of state for work and pensions, for saying[330] that a future UK Labour government would be even tougher on benefits than the Cameron–Clegg coalition government.[331][332]
In January 2012, sources close to the prime minister told The Scotsman that "a unified tax and benefit system is at the heart of a united country" and that these powers could not be devolved to Scotland after the referendum,[333] though Liberal Democrat Michael Moore said in August 2013 that devolution of parts of the welfare budget should be "up for debate".[334] Labour politician Jim Murphy, a former Secretary of State for Scotland, said that he was "fiercely committed" to devolving welfare powers to the Scottish Parliament, but also warned that independence would be disruptive and would not be beneficial.[335] Scottish Labour's Devolution Commission recommended in March 2014 that some aspects of the welfare state, including housing benefit and attendance allowance, should be devolved.[336]
Feminist economist Ailsa McKay, a supporter of the Radical Independence movement, argued that an independent Scotland should change its welfare system dramatically by offering all its people a basic income.[337]
Responses
[edit]Public events
[edit]A number of demonstrations in support of independence were co-ordinated following the announcement of the referendum. The March and Rally for Scottish Independence in September 2012 drew a crowd of between 5,000 and 10,000 people to Princes Street Gardens.[338] The event was repeated in September 2013; police estimated that over 8,000 people took part in the march, while organisers and the Scottish Police Federation[339] claimed between 20,000 and 30,000 people took part in the combined march and rally.[340] The March and Rally was criticised in both 2012 and 2013 for the involvement of groups like the Scottish Republican Socialist Movement[341] and Vlaamse Volksbeweging.[342]
Five days before the referendum vote, the Orange Order – a Protestant brotherhood – held a major anti-independence march and rally in Edinburgh. It involved at least 15,000 Orangemen, loyalist bands and supporters from Scotland and across the UK,[343] and was described as the biggest pro-Union demonstration of the campaign up to that date.[344] A rally for UK unity, organised by the Let's Stay Together campaign, was attended by 5,000 people in London's Trafalgar Square on the Monday preceding the referendum.[345] Similar events were held in London, Bristol, Leeds, Cardiff, Manchester and Belfast on the day before the referendum.[346]
Labour MP Jim Murphy conducted a Scotland-wide tour to campaign for the No side, intending to visit 100 towns and cities in 100 days before the referendum.[347] On 28 August he suspended his tour, after being hit by an egg in Kirkcaldy, and it was resumed on 3 September.[347][348] Murphy said that he had been subjected to "co-ordinated abuse" from Yes supporters and pointed to evidence of this on social media.[347] Better Together released footage of events in the tour where he was heckled by members of the public, some of whom called him a "traitor", "parasite", "terrorist" and "quisling".[347] David Cameron said that "there's nothing wrong with a bit of heckling, but throwing things isn't necessarily part of the democratic process".[347] Alex Salmond pointed out that people had "every entitlement to peaceful protest", but also said that "people shouldn't throw eggs at somebody full stop".[347]
Hands Across the Border
[edit]Hands Across the Border was a campaign founded in support of Scotland remaining in the United Kingdom. The campaign was the idea of Conservative politician Rory Stewart, MP for Penrith and The Border. In July 2014, the campaign initiated the construction of a large cairn on the Anglo-Scottish border at Gretna. The cairn was named 'The Auld Acquaintance', and was constructed by stones brought from across the UK and placed on the cairn by members of the public who wished to show their support for Scotland staying in the United Kingdom.[349][350] The cairn was completed in September 2014, days before the referendum was held.[351] The campaign received support from several public figures.[352][353]
Online campaigns
[edit]At the launch of the Yes Scotland campaign in May 2012, Alex Salmond said that the case for independence would be driven by community activism and "online wizardry".[354]
The not-for-profit and non-partisan What Scotland Thinks project tracked poll and survey data, including online activity, during the referendum campaign. Using data from the Applied Quantitative Methods Network (AQMeN) research centre, the project compiled the social media activity of the two main campaigns, Yes Scotland and Better Together, by monitoring their respective Facebook and Twitter accounts since August 2013.[355] What Scotland Thinks published a report in February 2014 stating that the Yes Scotland campaign was gaining more Facebook likes. Following the launch of the White Paper on 26 November, the average gap between the two Facebook pages grew from about 8,000 to about 23,000 by February 2014. Analysis of the campaigns' Twitter accounts showed the gap between the campaigns increased from approximately 8,000 followers in August 2013 to 13,804 followers in February 2014, in favour of Yes Scotland.[355] The project published a further report in June 2014 saying that greater online activity for Yes Scotland had continued.[356]
Professor Michael Keating said in April 2014 that the pro-independence movement was visibly stronger and fighting a "ground war", while unionist supporters were fighting an "'air war' of facts and figures".[357]
The launch of online celebrity videos from both viewpoints was reported by the media in mid-July 2014. The "Let's Stay Together" campaign group produced a YouTube video called "'Scotland, you're my best friend'", featuring John Barrowman, Ross Kemp and Eddie Izzard.[358] A pro-independence video was produced by Yes Scotland and appeared on the campaign's YouTube channel. Titled "✘ on September 18th #voteYes", the video features 32 people, including David Hayman, Martin Compston and Stuart Braithwaite.[359]
The pro-independence organisation National Collective was identified by the Independent newspaper as the initiators of an online hashtag campaign that began in mid-August 2014. Writing for the Independent, Antonia Molloy said that the previous "#IndyReasons" hashtag campaign served as the inspiration for the "#YesBecause" campaign that was observed on the Twitter, Facebook and Vine social media platforms. From 21 August, users were invited to explain their reasons for voting "Yes" and #YesBecause was trending on Twitter after an hour from the launch.[360] The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) reported on 22 August that a "#NoBecause" campaign emerged in opposition to the Collective.[361]
Debates
[edit]Debates over the issue of independence took place on television, in communities, and within universities and societies since the announcement of the referendum.[362][363][364][365][366] The STV current affairs programme Scotland Tonight televised a series of debates: Nicola Sturgeon v Michael Moore,[367] Sturgeon v Anas Sarwar,[368] Sturgeon v Alistair Carmichael[369] and Sturgeon v Johann Lamont.[370] On 21 January 2014, BBC Two Scotland broadcast the first in a series of round-table debates, which was filmed in Greenock and chaired by James Cook.[371][372]
The Yes campaign repeatedly called for a televised debate between UK Prime Minister David Cameron and First Minister of Scotland Alex Salmond. These calls for a one-on-one debate were dismissed by Cameron[373][374] on the basis that the referendum is "for Scots to decide" and the debate should be "between people in Scotland who want to stay, and people in Scotland who want to go".[375] Calls for such a debate were also supported by former Prime Minister Gordon Brown who said it would be a "good idea".[376] Better Together chairman Alistair Darling accused Salmond of "running scared" from debating him instead,[377] although Sturgeon stated in 2013 that a Salmond–Darling debate would take place at some point.[378] Darling refused a public debate with Yes Scotland chairman Blair Jenkins.[379] UKIP leader Nigel Farage also challenged Salmond to debate, but Farage was dismissed by an SNP spokeswoman as "an irrelevance in Scotland".[380]
After weeks of negotiation, a debate between Salmond and Darling was arranged.[139] The programme, titled as Salmond & Darling: The Debate, was broadcast by STV on 5 August 2014.[381] The debate, moderated by Bernard Ponsonby, saw both politicians make opening statements and cross-examine each other before taking questions from the audience. At the end of the clash, they were both given the chance to make a closing speech.[382][383] Both campaign groups claimed victory in the debate.[384] A snap poll conducted by ICM stated Darling won the debate by 56% to 44%.[385] In his analysis of the ICM poll, Professor John Curtice detected little movement either way as a result of the debate.[386]
A second debate between Salmond and Darling, titled Scotland Decides: Salmond versus Darling was shown on BBC One Scotland (and BBC Two in the rest of the UK) on 25 August, and was hosted by Glenn Campbell.[387][388] Salmond was perceived to have won the debate,[389][390] and a snap poll conducted by ICM Research stated Salmond won the debate by 71% to 29%.[391][392]
Accusations of BBC bias
[edit]In January 2014, a year-long academic study by John Robertson at the University of the West of Scotland found that coverage by the BBC and the Scottish commercial channel STV had favoured the No campaign, although Robertson conceded that this was partly due to there being more major political parties in favour of No.[393][394][395][396] In March 2014, BBC Scotland chiefs appeared before a Scottish Parliament committee to face questions from MSPs about the broadcaster's coverage.[397] During that session, BBC Scotland director Ken MacQuarrie disputed the findings of Robertson's study, saying that its conclusions were largely based upon "flawed analysis" and had contained factual errors.[393]
During the latter stages of the campaign there were further allegations by some independence supporters that the BBC – the UK's national broadcaster – was biased against Scottish independence.[398][399] In an interview for the Sunday Herald, Alex Salmond said he believed the BBC had been unconsciously biased against independence.[398] Former BBC journalist Paul Mason commented: "Not since Iraq have I seen BBC News working at propaganda strength like this".[398] The BBC replied that "Our coverage of the referendum story is fair and impartial in line with the editorial guidelines".[400] Alex Massie wrote in The Spectator that the BBC's coverage was consistent with their attitude towards other government proposals of such magnitude and that it was incumbent upon the Yes campaign to prove its assertions.[401]
On 29 June, several hundred independence supporters gathered in a demonstration outside BBC Pacific Quay, the main BBC studio in Glasgow, in protest at its alleged bias.[401][402][403] A week before the vote, BBC political editor Nick Robinson said in a news item that Salmond "didn't answer" his questions at a press conference.[404] Several thousand independence supporters then protested at the BBC Scotland headquarters,[404] accusing the BBC of broadcasting pro-Union "propaganda" and "lies".[398] The Independent reported that the protesters accused Robinson of working "with the Treasury to spread lies about the dangers to business and financial services of an independent Scotland".[398] Alastair Campbell said that the "organised protests" amounted to media censorship "not far off" Vladimir Putin's Russia, telling Twitter users they should "Vote YES for intimidation".[398] The National Union of Journalists (NUJ) asked people to think about the implications of alleging journalistic bias when its members were only asking difficult questions.[405] Robinson later expressed his "regret" at using the phrase "didn't answer" in his report[404] and criticised the protests.[406]
Speaking after the referendum, Yes Scotland chief executive Blair Jenkins said that he did not believe there was a "systemic bias" against Yes or any "corporate intent to disadvantage the Yes campaign".[399]
Intimidation
[edit]In addition to the incidents described above, there were reports of intimidation during the campaign.[405][407] A survey of the 133 business leaders who signed a public letter backing the Union reported that half of respondents "said that they had felt intimidated or pressurised by SNP or the Yes campaign as a result of their views".[408] The Daily Telegraph reported that other businesspeople had been unwilling to express an opinion on the referendum publicly because they were concerned about a loss of business from the SNP-led Scottish government or local government.[408] The NUJ called for abuse and bullying of its members, which had been led by online attacks, to end, commenting that, "For the duration of the referendum there has been hostility to journalists doing their jobs".[409] The Scottish Police Federation stated that criminal acts related to the referendum were few in number and criticised those "suggesting a minority of mindless idiots are representative of anything".[410]
Opinion polling
[edit]Professor John Curtice stated in January 2012 that polling showed support for independence at 32%–38% of the Scottish population, which represented a slight decline from 2007, when the SNP had first formed the Scottish government.[411] By 2012, there had been no poll evidence of majority support for independence, although the share "vehemently opposed to independence" had declined.[411] According to Curtice, the polls were stable during most of 2013, with "no" leading by an average of 17% with a year to go.[412] Polling expert Nate Silver said in 2013 that the yes campaign had "virtually no chance" of winning the referendum.[413] After the referendum, Silver said that although his prediction had been proven "right" he had done little research beforehand.[414]
The gap narrowed after the release of the Scottish government white paper on independence: an average of five polls in December 2013 and January 2014 gave 39% yes and 61% no, once 'don't knows' had been excluded.[415] The polls tightened further after the Chancellor of the Exchequer, George Osborne, stated in February that the UK government was opposed to a currency union; the average yes support increased to 43%, once 'don't knows' had been excluded.[416] There was little movement in the following months, with the average continuing to show 43% yes and 57% no (excluding don't knows) in July 2014[417] and August 2014.[418]
In early September, polls indicated that the vote would be closer than had been indicated earlier. On 6 September a YouGov poll gave those in favour 47% versus 45% for those against; excluding those undecided, the figures were 51% and 49%, respectively.[419] The final polls, taken in the last few days of the campaign, indicated a lead for No of between 4% and 6%.[420] No exit poll was conducted. Soon after polling stations had closed, YouGov released a final poll that had been taken during the day of voting, indicating 46% Yes, 54% No.[421][422]
Writing after the referendum, Nate Silver pointed out that the final margin of victory for No was greater than that indicated by the opinion polls.[414] He suggested that this could have been due to less enthusiastic voters being more pro-Union, which may not have been reflected in the polls.[414] Stephen Fisher, a sociology professor at Oxford University, noted in a study of other constitutional referendums that pollsters had tended to overestimate the "Yes" option.[423]
Voting
[edit]Administration
[edit]The Scottish Independence Referendum Bill identified the convener of the Electoral Management Board for Scotland as chief counting officer for the referendum.[424] The chief counting officer, Mary Pitcaithly,[425] was supported by a counting officer in each of the 32 local authority areas of Scotland,[425] who was typically the chief executive for that local authority. Each counting officer had a referendum team, which included:
- electoral registration officers, who compiled and maintained the electoral register and lists of postal and proxy voters;[425]
- presiding officers (one per polling place),[425] responsible for the overall management of the polling place;
- poll clerks,[425] who assisted the presiding officer at their polling place; and
- polling station inspectors (optional),[425] who toured the area polling stations (the specific part/room of the polling place in which votes were cast).
Voting places and times
[edit]Voting took place between 07:00 and 22:00 BST[426] in "polling places",[425] which included schools, church halls, libraries and community centres. Those who were still queuing when polls closed were not denied the chance to vote.[427]
Count of votes
[edit]Counting began after polls closed. Votes from the 32 local government areas were counted and announced by each area separately.[428][429] Results came in during the early hours of 19 September, with the first result being from Clackmannanshire, and the last being from Highland.[430]
Results
[edit]55.3% voted against independence,[431] with a turnout of 84.6%. 28 of the 32 council areas voted "No", although the four areas that voted "Yes" (Dundee, Glasgow, North Lanarkshire and West Dunbartonshire) contained over 20% of the Scottish electorate.
The overall turnout of 84.6% was very high for Scotland.[432] Turnout was around 50–60% for elections to the Scottish and UK parliaments in the early 21st century.[433] The most recent United Kingdom general election with a comparable turnout was in 1950, when 83.9% voted.[432] The last ballot in the United Kingdom with a higher turnout than 84.6% was in January 1910, when no women and fewer men were allowed to vote (i.e., before universal suffrage applied to UK elections).[432] Of the 32 areas, East Dunbartonshire had the highest turnout at 91.0%, and Glasgow the lowest at 75.0%.[432]
An academic study, surveying 5,000 Scottish voters soon after the referendum, found that the majority for No was formed by an "unusual alliance" of the very young, average earners, Protestants and women.[434] The study supported polling evidence that there was a gender gap, but countered beliefs that higher earners had supported No and that younger voters had mostly voted Yes.[434]
According to John Curtice, polling evidence indicates that support for independence was highest among those aged in their late 20s and early 30s, with a higher No vote among those aged between 16 and 24.[435] There was an age gap at the referendum, with elderly voters being the most likely to vote against independence and younger voters aged under 55, except for those aged between 16 and 24, generally being more in favour of independence.[435] Those in C2DE, or "working class", occupations were slightly more likely to vote in favour of independence than those in ABC1, or "middle class", occupations' however, there was a significant discrepancy in voting between those living in the most deprived areas and those living in the least deprived areas, with those in more deprived areas being significantly more likely to vote in favour of independence and those in more affluent areas being more likely to vote against independence.[435] This was picked up by other academics,[436] with data from the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation study from 2012 indicating that the six most deprived local authorities in Scotland returned the highest Yes vote shares at the referendum.[437]
Totals
[edit]Choice | Votes | % |
---|---|---|
No | 2,001,926 | 55.30 |
Yes | 1,617,989 | 44.70 |
Valid votes | 3,619,915 | 99.91 |
Invalid or blank votes | 3,429 | 0.09 |
Total votes | 3,623,344 | 100.00 |
Registered voters/turnout | 4,283,392 | 84.59 |
Source: BBC News, General Register Office for Scotland |
Regional referendum results (excluding invalid votes) | |
---|---|
Yes 1,617,989 (44.7%) |
No 2,001,926 (55.3%) |
▲ 50% |
By area
[edit]Local authority [438] | Yes votes | No votes | Yes (%) | No (%) | Valid votes | Turnout (%) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Aberdeen | 59,390 | 84,094 | 41.4% | 58.6% | 143,484 | 81.7% |
Aberdeenshire | 71,337 | 108,606 | 39.6% | 60.4% | 179,943 | 87.2% |
Angus | 35,044 | 45,192 | 43.7% | 56.3% | 80,236 | 85.7% |
Argyll and Bute | 26,324 | 37,143 | 41.5% | 58.5% | 63,467 | 88.2% |
Clackmannanshire | 16,350 | 19,036 | 46.2% | 53.8% | 35,386 | 88.6% |
Dumfries and Galloway | 36,614 | 70,039 | 34.3% | 65.7% | 106,653 | 87.5% |
Dundee | 53,620 | 39,880 | 57.3% | 42.7% | 93,500 | 78.8% |
East Ayrshire | 39,762 | 44,442 | 47.2% | 52.8% | 84,204 | 84.5% |
East Dunbartonshire | 30,624 | 48,314 | 38.8% | 61.2% | 78,938 | 91.0% |
East Lothian | 27,467 | 44,283 | 38.3% | 61.7% | 71,750 | 87.6% |
East Renfrewshire | 24,287 | 41,690 | 36.8% | 63.2% | 65,977 | 90.4% |
Edinburgh | 123,927 | 194,638 | 38.9% | 61.1% | 318,565 | 84.4% |
Eilean Siar | 9,195 | 10,544 | 46.6% | 53.4% | 19,739 | 86.2% |
Falkirk | 50,489 | 58,030 | 46.5% | 53.5% | 108,519 | 88.7% |
Fife | 114,148 | 139,788 | 45.0% | 55.0% | 253,936 | 84.1% |
Glasgow | 194,779 | 169,347 | 53.5% | 46.5% | 364,126 | 75.0% |
Highland | 78,069 | 87,739 | 47.1% | 52.9% | 165,808 | 87.0% |
Inverclyde | 27,243 | 27,329 | 49.9% | 50.1% | 54,572 | 87.4% |
Midlothian | 26,370 | 33,972 | 43.7% | 56.3% | 60,342 | 86.8% |
Moray | 27,232 | 36,935 | 42.4% | 57.6% | 64,167 | 85.4% |
North Ayrshire | 47,072 | 49,016 | 48.9% | 51.1% | 96,088 | 84.4% |
North Lanarkshire | 115,783 | 110,922 | 51.1% | 48.9% | 226,705 | 84.4% |
Orkney | 4,883 | 10,004 | 32.8% | 67.2% | 14,887 | 83.7% |
Perth and Kinross | 41,475 | 62,714 | 39.8% | 60.2% | 104,189 | 86.9% |
Renfrewshire | 55,466 | 62,067 | 47.2% | 52.8% | 117,533 | 87.3% |
Scottish Borders | 27,906 | 55,553 | 33.4% | 66.6% | 83,459 | 87.4% |
Shetland | 5,669 | 9,951 | 36.3% | 63.7% | 15,620 | 84.4% |
South Ayrshire | 34,402 | 47,247 | 42.1% | 57.9% | 81,649 | 86.1% |
South Lanarkshire | 100,990 | 121,800 | 45.3% | 54.7% | 222,790 | 85.3% |
Stirling | 25,010 | 37,153 | 40.2% | 59.8% | 62,163 | 90.1% |
West Dunbartonshire | 33,720 | 28,776 | 54.0% | 46.0% | 62,396 | 87.9% |
West Lothian | 53,342 | 65,682 | 44.8% | 55.2% | 119,024 | 86.2% |
Scotland | 1,617,989 | 2,001,926 | 44.7% | 55.3% | 3,619,915 | 84.6% |
By UK Parliament constituency
[edit]Constituency | Member of Parliament | Majority (2010) | Number of votes | Proportion of votes | Valid votes | Notes | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Yes votes | No votes | Yes (%) | No (%) | |||||||
Argyll and Bute | Alan Reid | 7.6% | 26,324 | 37,143 | 41.5% | 58.5% | 63,467 | |||
East Lothian | Fiona O'Donnell | 24.9% | 27,467 | 44,283 | 38.3% | 61.7% | 71,750 | |||
East Renfrewshire | Jim Murphy | 20.4% | 24,287 | 41,690 | 36.8% | 63.2% | 65,977 | |||
Edinburgh East | Sheila Gilmore | 23.0% | 27,500 | 30,632 | 47.3% | 52.7% | 58,232 | [439] | ||
Edinburgh North and Leith | Mark Lazarowicz | 3.6% | 28,813 | 43,253 | 40.0% | 60.0% | 72,181 | [439] | ||
Edinburgh South | Ian Murray | 0.7% | 20,340 | 38,298 | 34.7% | 65.3% | 58,738 | [439] | ||
Edinburgh South West | Alistair Darling | 18.6% | 24,659 | 39,509 | 38.4% | 61.6% | 64,249 | [439] | ||
Edinburgh West | Mike Crockart | 8.2% | 22,615 | 42,946 | 34.5% | 65.5% | 65,625 | [439] | ||
Na h-Eileanan an Iar | Angus MacNeil | 12.8% | 9,195 | 10,544 | 46.6% | 53.4% | 19,739 | |||
Inverclyde | Iain McKenzie | 20.8% | 27,243 | 27,329 | 49.9% | 50.1% | 54,572 | |||
Midlothian | David Hamilton | 26.4% | 26,370 | 33,972 | 43.7% | 56.3% | 60,342 | |||
Moray | Angus Robertson | 13.6% | 27,232 | 36,935 | 42.4% | 57.6% | 64,167 | |||
Orkney and Shetland | Alistair Carmichael | 51.3% | 10,552 | 19,955 | 34.6% | 65.4% | 30,507 | |||
Stirling | Anne McGuire | 17.9% | 25,010 | 37,153 | 40.2% | 59.8% | 62,163 | |||
West Dunbartonshire | Gemma Doyle | 41.2% | 33,720 | 28,776 | 54.0% | 46.0% | 62,396 | |||
Notes: This is an incomplete list as not all local authorities counted by ward or constituency. The constituency results are primarily obtained through local authority breakdowns of the result or the constituency boundaries being co-terminous with the local government district. |
By Scottish Parliament constituency
[edit]Constituency | Member of Scottish Parliament | Majority (2011) | Number of votes | Proportion of votes | Valid votes | Notes | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Yes votes | No votes | Yes (%) | No (%) | |||||||
Clydesdale | Aileen Campbell | 14.1% | 16,733 | 25,391 | 39.8% | 60.3% | 42,124 | [440] | ||
Cumbernauld and Kilsyth | Jamie Hepburn | 13.7% | 30,821 | 28,486 | 52.0% | 48.0% | 59,307 | [441] | ||
East Kilbride | Linda Fabiani | 6.5% | 31,309 | 36,365 | 46.3% | 53.7% | 67,674 | [440] | ||
Falkirk East | Angus MacDonald | 12.6% | 24,757 | 29,754 | 45.4% | 54.5% | 54,511 | [442] | ||
Falkirk West | Michael Matheson | 20.4% | 25,732 | 28,276 | 47.6% | 52.3% | 54,008 | [442] | ||
Glasgow Anniesland | Bill Kidd | 0.0% | 23,718 | 22,976 | 50.8% | 49.2% | 46,694 | [443] | ||
Glasgow Cathcart | James Dornan | 6.1% | 26,499 | 23,688 | 52.8% | 47.2% | 50,187 | [443] | ||
Glasgow Kelvin | Sandra White | 3.6% | 23,976 | 21,742 | 52.4% | 47.6% | 45,718 | [443] | ||
Glasgow Maryhill and Springburn | Patricia Ferguson | 6.3% | 24,079 | 18,094 | 57.1% | 42.9% | 42,173 | [443] | ||
Glasgow Pollok | Johann Lamont | 2.7% | 26,807 | 22,956 | 53.9% | 46.1% | 49,763 | [443] | ||
Glasgow Provan | Paul Martin | 10.8% | 25,217 | 19,046 | 57.0% | 43.0% | 44,263 | [443] | ||
Glasgow Shettleston | John Mason | 2.8% | 23,137 | 21,911 | 51.3% | 48.7% | 45,102 | [443] | ||
Glasgow Southside | Nicola Sturgeon | 19.2% | 21,346 | 18,934 | 53.0% | 47.0% | 40,280 | [443] | ||
Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse | Christina McKelvie | 8.7% | 32,104 | 39,129 | 45.1% | 54.9% | 71,233 | [440] | ||
Motherwell and Wishaw | John Pentland | 2.4% | 29,102 | 27,848 | 51.1% | 48.9% | 59,307 | [441] | ||
Na h-Eileanan an Iar | Alasdair Allan | 36.7% | 9,195 | 10,544 | 46.6% | 53.4% | 19,739 | |||
Orkney | Liam McArthur | 10.5% | 4,883 | 10,004 | 32.8% | 67.2% | 14,887 | |||
Paisley | George Adam | 0.9% | 22,040 | 21,690 | 50.4% | 49.6% | 43,730 | |||
Rutherglen | James Kelly | 6.6% | 20,844 | 20,915 | 49.9% | 50.1% | 41,759 | [440] | ||
Shetland | Tavish Scott | 17.2% | 5,669 | 9,951 | 36.3% | 63.7% | 15,620 | |||
Notes: This is an incomplete list as not all local authorities counted by ward or constituency. The constituency results are primarily obtained through local authority breakdowns of the result or the constituency boundaries being co-terminous with the local government district. |
Analysis of voters' reasons
[edit]On the day of the referendum, Michael Ashcroft conducted a poll of over 2,000 voters to identify the major reasons for their voting choices. This poll found that among No voters, more than half (57%) stated the pound sterling was one of the most important factors in their decision. Among Yes voters, the biggest single motivation was "disaffection with Westminster politics".[3]
Reactions to the result
[edit]Domestic reaction
[edit]Queen Elizabeth II issued a statement following the referendum, in which she said that it was "a result that all of us throughout the United Kingdom will respect" and that the Royal Family would support all efforts to "work constructively for the future of Scotland and indeed all parts of this country".[444]
Prime Minister David Cameron said he was "delighted" with the result, adding: "it would have broken my heart to see our United Kingdom come to an end and I know that this sentiment was shared not just by people across our country but also around the world".[445] While attending a public event later in September, Cameron told Michael Bloomberg, a former mayor of New York City, that the Queen had "purred down the line" when he informed her of the result.[446] Cameron admitted he was "very embarrassed" for revealing the Queen's political view, which she had guarded in her own comments.[446]
Alex Salmond, the Scottish First Minister and leader of the SNP, stated that he accepted the "verdict of the people" and called upon "all Scots to follow suit in accepting the democratic verdict of the people of Scotland". He called the referendum a "triumph for the democratic process and for participation in politics".[445] He also resigned as SNP leader and as First Minister, saying that "for me as leader my time is nearly over but for Scotland the campaign continues and the dream shall never die".[447]
Northern Ireland's First Minister Peter Robinson and Welsh First Minister Carwyn Jones responded positively to the result. Robinson was "delighted Scotland has voted to remain in the Union".[445]
International reaction
[edit]There was a large international reaction to the results of the Scottish independence referendum.[448] The White House congratulated Scotland on their "full and energetic exercise of democracy".[449] President Barack Obama noted the "debate, discussion, and passionate yet peaceful deliberations"[449] and welcomed the result, saying he looked forward to "continuing our strong and special relationship with all the people of Great Britain and Northern Ireland".[448]
John Baird, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada, welcomed the decision and praised the conduct of the referendum.[450] The Premier of Quebec, Philippe Couillard, said that there were limited comparisons between Scotland and Quebec, where the sovereignty movement lost referendums in 1980 and 1995, and suggested a devolved model similar to federalism as a possible future model for the UK: "I think that if the Scots had what we have, Quebecers within Canada, they probably would be quite happy".[450] Stéphane Bédard, leader of the Parti Québécois, described himself as "disappointed" by the result.[451]
Angela Merkel, the Chancellor of Germany, said that, "We [the German government] have always respected the fact that this referendum was called and that the central government in London agreed to this. And now we respect the outcome of it as well". When asked how she felt about the result she replied "I will not comment on this but just smile".[452] Matteo Renzi, Prime Minister of Italy, released a statement saying that "The Italian government, also in its capacity as duty president of the EU, hails the result of the vote democratically expressed by the Scottish people," he later sent a message to David Cameron where he said that Scotland "recognised and appreciated diversity" without "fragmenting".[453]
Ireland's Taoiseach, Enda Kenny, stated that the Irish government would respect the "democratic decision that Scotland should remain as part of the United Kingdom", he went on to say how "As neighbours, friends and partners across political, economic, cultural and many other spheres, relations between Ireland and Britain have never been stronger. We look forward to working with all parties across these islands in the years ahead. The Good Friday Agreement of 1998 is the historic template for harmonious and mutually beneficial development of the totality of relationships among the peoples of these islands. In particular, it has led to a transformation in relationships between the two great traditions on this island".[454]
In a press release following the referendum, the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated: "It is an understandable and logical desire of the Scottish people for the central authorities to guarantee respect for their national and cultural identity, language and traditions and also give them more independence to take decisions on Scotland's socio-economic development and its standing in the united state. We have noted that the UK government has extended concrete promises in this regard. We believe that these factors are extremely important not only for Scotland but also in the general context of devolution processes".[455]
Facing the result of the referendum, Erna Solberg, Prime Minister of Norway, stated to Norwegian broadcaster NRK she was 'glad' Scotland chose to remain in the union and that Scottish independence could have become challenging for Norway as a neighbouring country.[456]
Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy, in a video message, said that the Scottish have avoided serious consequences and "have chosen the most favourable option for everyone; for themselves, for all of Britain and for the rest of Europe".[457] Iñigo Urkullu, the President of the Basque Country, stated on the day of the referendum that as the British Government had allowed Scotland to freely decide its own future, the responsibility of the Basque government was to "follow Scotland's footsteps" in securing a similar agreement in Spain.[458] Artur Mas, President of the Generalitat of Catalonia, described the referendum as a model for a future vote in the Catalonia, and said "What happened in Scotland is not a setback for us, because what we really want in Catalonia is to have the chance to vote".[459] On the day after the Scottish referendum, the Catalan parliament voted to hold a "popular consultation" on Catalan independence.[460] The Spanish government said that such a vote would be unconstitutional,[460] but a referendum was held on 9 November 2014 anyway. The large majority (80%) voted for Catalonia to be an independent country, although two-thirds of Catalans did not participate in the referendum.[461]
Secretary General of NATO Anders Fogh Rasmussen said that he fully respected "the choice that the people of Scotland have made".[448] President of the European Commission José Manuel Barroso said the Scottish vote was good for a "united, open and stronger Europe".[462]
Allegations of voting irregularities
[edit]Ten voters discovered that someone had voted under their names at polling stations in Glasgow,[463] a method of fraud termed 'personation', and this led to an investigation by Police Scotland.[463]
During a BBC results broadcast, Scottish Conservative Party leader Ruth Davidson said that "No" campaigners had been "taking tallies" of postal votes and that those showed that the "No" campaign was in the lead.[464] This resulted in complaints to the electoral commission because the Scottish Independence Referendum Act 2013 stated that people attending proceedings related to the receipt of postal votes must not attempt to ascertain the outcome or "communicate any information" from that voting.[464] The Electoral Commission, who could not investigate criminal allegations, passed the complaints onto Police Scotland.[464] A formal investigation was subsequently opened,[465] which concluded that there was no criminality.[466]
According to official Russian observers, the conditions under which the votes were counted were not up to international standards and that the procedure used made it impossible to check on irregularities.[467] Russia's criticism came just months after the international community had rejected the results of a Kremlin-backed referendum held in the Russian-occupied Ukrainian territory of Crimea.[467] Russian officials said that the strong performance of the Scottish National Party (SNP) at the 2015 general election confirmed their suspicions about the Scottish independence referendum.[468]
A petition demanding a second referendum, based on allegations of vote miscounting, gained more than 70,000 signatures within 24 hours. The petitioners referred to news footage that they claim showed unusual emptying of the boxes, a vote-counter placing Yes-votes between No-votes, an official filling in ballot papers, and Yes-votes on top of stacks placed on No-votes sorting tables, as well as two false fire-alarms and subsequent evacuation of the counting centre in Dundee.[469][470] In response, Chief Counting Officer Mary Pitcaithly declared that the referendum had been "properly conducted". An official spokesperson reiterated this point, saying that they were "satisfied that all counts throughout Scotland were properly conducted" and that incidents in the footage could be "easily explained" and were being presented as a "'conspiracy' theory".[471] Douglas Daniel, a monitoring agent for the pro-independence Wings Over Scotland website, noted that "as with most conspiracy theories, this is largely down to people not understanding what they're seeing" and "trying to fix the count would require pretty much every single member of the counting staff to be in on the scam".[472]
Violence in Glasgow
[edit]On the night of 19 September, hundreds of unionists arrived to celebrate the 'No' vote and some attacked independence supporters who had gathered in George Square, Glasgow.[473][474] Many of the unionists waved Union Jacks or loyalist flags and chanted "Rule, Britannia!"[473] Police officers were drafted in to separate the groups but some unionists broke through police lines.[473] A number of people were reportedly beaten and bottles were thrown.[475] A press photographer told The Scotsman he saw people being "kicked about" and was forced to flee after being threatened.[475] By the end of the following month, the police had made 32 arrests in relation to the events.[476] The violence was condemned by politicians from both the 'Yes' and 'No' camps.[475]
Increase in political activism
[edit]In the weeks following the referendum, thousands of people joined the Scottish National Party, the Scottish Greens[477] or the Scottish Socialist Party, which had all campaigned for a 'Yes' vote.[478][479] The parties claimed that many of the new members were former Scottish Labour Party members.[478] By 2 October 2014, SNP membership had tripled from 25,000 to 75,000 people, overtaking the Liberal Democrats as the third-largest political party in the UK.[480] Conservative MP David Mundell said that 80,000 people had signed up to their "Friends of the Union" group during the campaign.[479] These people had not necessarily become full members of the Conservative Party because they were not focused on increasing the number of "card-carrying" members.[479]
Following the referendum, there were calls for greater unity within Scottish unionism and to vote tactically against nationalist candidates.[481][482] A grassroots campaign called "Scotland in Union" aimed to encourage tactical voting at the 2015 general election and to publicise the benefits of Scotland being a part of the United Kingdom.[483][484] Analysis by the Electoral Reform Society prior to the 2015 general election identified some constituencies where tactical voting could succeed, but also pointed out that many voters would find it difficult to support another political party.[485] Writing after the election, Professor John Curtice said that in only one constituency, (Edinburgh South); could it be said that tactical voting succeeded in defeating an SNP candidate.[486]
Further devolution
[edit]Two days before the referendum, the leaders of the three main UK political parties publicly pledged to devolve "extensive new powers" to the Scottish Parliament.[487] They also agreed to a timetable proposed by Gordon Brown.[488] In his speech responding to the referendum results, David Cameron said that an all-party commission, chaired by Lord Smith of Kelvin, would oversee the implementation of the new powers.[487][488] Cameron also called for an answer to the West Lothian question, by removing the right of Scottish MPs to vote on legislation relating only to England.[489] This proposal was opposed by Gordon Brown, who signed a petition calling for the additional powers to be devolved without any other conditions being attached.[489]
The proposals were debated at length by the UK and Scottish parliaments.[490] The bill devolving further powers to Scotland was approved unanimously by the Scottish Parliament in March 2016.[490]
Political developments
[edit]Following the referendum, the SNP took a clear lead over the other parties in Scottish opinion polls.[491][492] In the 2015 general election, the SNP received 1,454,436 votes, 49.97% of the Scottish vote and 56 out of the 59 Scottish seats contested in the election. Labour lost forty of their forty-one seats and the Liberal Democrats lost ten of their eleven seats – all to the SNP.[493][494] The SNP replaced the Liberal Democrats as the third largest party in the House of Commons.[495]
As the Conservatives won an overall majority in the 2015 UK general election, a UK-wide referendum on European Union membership was held in June 2016. An overall majority of the UK voted to leave the EU (for "Brexit"), while all of Scotland's council areas voted to remain in the EU. Shortly afterwards, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced her intention to prepare legislation for a second independence referendum.[496][497] In the June 2017 general election, the first major electoral test after the EU referendum, the SNP won 35 of the 59 Scottish seats in the House of Commons. This represented a drop of 21 seats from 2015, with the Conservatives, Labour and Liberal Democrats all making gains. Those results were largely reversed in the December 2019 general election, as the SNP won 48 seats and the Conservatives and Labour both made net losses.[498]
Further reading
[edit]- Tom Devine, (2012) The Scottish Nation: A Modern History, Penguin UK ISBN 978-0-718193-20-1
- David Torrance, (2013) The Battle for Britain: Scotland and the Independence Referendum, Biteback Publishing ISBN 978-1-849545-94-5
- Iain MacWhirter, (2013) Road to Referendum, Cargo Publishing ISBN 978-1908885210
- James Foley and Pete Ramard, (2014) Yes: The Radical Case for Scottish Independence, Pluto Press ISBN 978-0-745334-75-2
- Alan Cochrane and George Kerevan, (2014) Scottish Independence: Yes or No (The Great Debate), The History Press ISBN 978-0-750955-83-6
- Iain MacWhirter, (2014) Disunited Kingdom: How Westminster Won A Referendum But Lost Scotland, Cargo Publishing ISBN 978-1-908885-26-5
- Gerry Hassan, (2014) Caledonian Dreaming: The Quest for a Different Scotland, Luath Press ISBN 978-1-910021-06-4
- Pat Anderson, (2014) Fear and Smear: The Campaign Against Scottish Independence, Snowy Publications ISBN 978-1507716489
- Joe Pike, (2016) Project Fear: How an Unlikely Alliance Left a Kingdom United but a Country Divided, Publisher ISBN 978-1-785900-51-8
- Gerry Hassan, (2016) Scotland the Bold: How our nation has changed and why there is no going back, Freight Publishing ISBN 978-1-911332-04-6
- Tom Devine, (2017) Independence or Union: Scotland's Past and Scotland's Present, Penguin UK ISBN 978-0-141981-57-4
- Jack Foster, (2018) Catch-2014: Why 'Yes' lost the referendum and why, if we're not careful, we might end up doing it again, Independent ISBN 978-1-724106-95-7
See also
[edit]- Constitution of the United Kingdom
- Scottish devolution
- History of the Scottish National Party
- Politics of the United Kingdom
- Proposed second Scottish independence referendum
- Separatism in the United Kingdom
- Welsh independence
- Proposed Welsh independence referendum
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- ^ "Brexit: Nicola Sturgeon says second Scottish independence vote 'highly likely'". BBC News. 24 June 2016.
- ^ "Scotland 'highly likely' to hold second independence vote after EU vote: Sturgeon". Reuters. 24 June 2016.
- ^ Sim, Philip (13 December 2019). "Election 2019: the result in Scotland in numbers". BBC News. Retrieved 29 December 2019.
External links
[edit]- Scottish Government Referendum 2014 site
- UK Government Referendum 2014 site
- Scottish Independence Referendum Bill from the Scottish Parliament
- Text of the Scottish Independence Referendum Act 2013 as in force today (including any amendments) within the United Kingdom, from legislation.gov.uk.
- Scotland Decides on stv.tv
- BBC Q&A
- Yes Scotland, official campaign for a Yes vote
- Better Together, official campaign for a No vote Archived 1 September 2014 at the Wayback Machine
- 2014 Scottish independence referendum
- Scottish independence
- 2014 elections in the United Kingdom
- 2014 in Scotland
- 2014 referendums
- Home rule in the United Kingdom
- Independence referendums
- Referendums in Scotland
- September 2014 events in the United Kingdom
- Alex Salmond
- Premiership of David Cameron
- Gordon Brown
- Nicola Sturgeon