Tag: Scottish independence referendum

We need a root and branch review of referendums in the UK

We need a root and branch review of referendums in the UK

Assessing the role of referendums is a challenge because they are on the fault-line of representative and other forms of democracy. Katie Ghose argues that more clarity is needed on who triggers them, and proposes three essential reforms for future referendum campaigns. Similar PostsLearning the lessons: What other referendums can teach us about the EU […]

Brexit and Scottish independence: Does campaign information actually change voters’ minds during a referendum?

Brexit and Scottish independence: Does campaign information actually change voters’ minds during a referendum?

Both sides of the UK’s referendum campaign have invested huge resources in trying to convince the electorate to back their viewpoint, but how effective are these efforts in actually changing the minds of voters? Drawing on research in the 2014 referendum on Scottish independence, Davide Morisi illustrates how information can have an impact on the […]

The gendered dimensions of constitutional change: Women and the independence referendums in Scotland and Catalonia

The gendered dimensions of constitutional change: Women and the independence referendums in Scotland and Catalonia

Constitutional debates around independence claims present various gendered dimensions and implications for women and gender equality policy issues more broadly. In this article, Tània Verge and Alba Alonso challenge the idea that differences between women and men’s voting patterns can be simply reduced to risk aversion, and write that the public debates largely suffered in […]

The Scottish independence referendum shows that young people can be mobilized politically given the right circumstances

The Scottish independence referendum shows that young people can be mobilized politically given the right circumstances

16 and 17 year olds were entitled to vote for the first time in any election held in the UK in the Scottish independence referendum. Advocates of the reform argued that it would help to engage younger people in the political process, setting the stage for greater engagement in democracy over future election cycles, while […]

One year on from Scotland’s independence referendum: how to save the union from the unionists

One year on from Scotland’s independence referendum: how to save the union from the unionists

Scotland’s referendum on independence took place just over a year ago, with a narrow majority endorsing the proposition that the UK should remain in the United Kingdom. Another referendum may be on the horizon, however, with a referendum on Britain’s membership of the EU providing a potential opportunity for the pro-independence SNP government to justify […]

Analysis of Twitter responses indicates a preference for diversity in televised political debates

Analysis of Twitter responses indicates a preference for diversity in televised political debates

In autumn 2014, during the last few weeks of the Scottish Independence Referendum campaign, researchers at Robert Gordon University explored the Twitter response to three live televised political debates, each of which involved high-profile participants. Graeme Baxter shares their findings.  Similar PostsThe Scottish independence referendum shows that young people can be mobilized politically given the […]

Devolution in the North of England: time to bring the people into the debate?

Devolution in the North of England: time to bring the people into the debate?

The referendum in Scotland has created impetus for a redistribution of power within England, with attempts to bring greater devolution to the North of England in particular. But who will determine the shape of this – Westminster, local elites or local citizens, asks Arianna Giovannini.  In the wake of the Scottish independence referendum, the ‘English Question’ has […]

The Wales Bill could have far reaching consequences for the governance of the whole UK

The Wales Bill could have far reaching consequences for the governance of the whole UK

Amidst the noise of the fallout from the Scottish independence referendum, the issue of what will happen next in Wales has been largely missed. Although independence isn’t on the cards, the forthcoming Wales Bill, if it survives current political wrangling, could have a profound effect on governance of Wales and the whole UK, argues David S. […]

Citizens’ assemblies provide an institutional foothold for republican political practices

Citizens’ assemblies provide an institutional foothold for republican political practices

Calls for a UK citizens convention to assess and rethink our current political and democratic arrangements have been frequently heard in the wake of the referendum on Scottish independence, held last autumn. John Grant argues that these conventions can be useful in providing an institutional foothold for republican ideas, which have struggled to find a policy […]

20 things we learned about democracy in September 2014

20 things we learned about democracy in September 2014

September 2014 was a big month for democracy, with party conferences and of course the Scottish independence referendum. Democratic Audit’s Sean Kippin rounds up 20 things that we learned about democracy this month, and talks about the referendum and conferences, but also elections in the House of Lords, human rights, and KFC chicken.  Similar PostsThe […]