Tag: Future of the Union
Democratic round-up: the Scottish independence White Paper
Yesterday, the Scottish Government published their 670-page White Paper on Scottish Independence. Democratic Audit’s Sean Kippin takes a look at the best comment, coverage, and reaction to the publication of the document, which has predictably inflamed tempers and attracted criticism from pro-union commentators and politicians on both sides of Hadrian’s Wall. Similar PostsIn order to sustain itself, the UK […]
William Gladstone might have the answer to the ‘West Lothian’ question
The West Lothian Question has been a constant thorn in the side of devolution efforts for over 100 years. The McKay Commission was tasked with finding a meaningful answer, and finally reported in March 2013. Iain McLean, in reviewing the report, argues policy-makers should revisit a proposal which was explicitly ruled out of the commission’s terms […]
Yes or no, 2014’s Scotland referendum carries significant constitutional implications
On 18 September 2014 the Scottish electorate will be asked to vote in a referendum on whether Scotland should be an independent country, with the result still in the balance. Stephen Tierney and Katie Boyle argue that there are meaningful constitutional implications for Scotland and the UK, whatever the result in 2014. Following the Edinburgh […]
The Scottish Question: The notion that constitutional politics can be separated from ‘ordinary’ politics is unconvincing
With the Scottish referendum less than one year away, James Mitchell discusses three broad types of issues in the debate: those that are core, such as the economy, defence and welfare; those that are insulated, for example the lively debate on public service reform that continues outside of the Scottish referendum context; and issues that are being […]
Interview: Historian Linda Colley on Englishness
In an interview with IPPR’s Guy Lodge, historian Linda Colley rejects the idea that British disintegration is inevitable but says a new constitutional settlement is needed to bind the nations and people of the United Kingdom together, and to help clarify its relationship with Europe. The English, she argues, would benefit from having a parliament […]
The Scottish push towards local democracy carries potential unintended costs
The prospect of independence for Scotland is being treated by campaigners as an opportunity to instigate meaningful political and constitutional reform, including a major devolution of powers to local and municipal Government. But, argues Professor Paul Cairney, while it isn’t clear what the respective roles of the different tiers of Government will be, there are […]
Scotland’s immigration debate must go beyond a focus on Scotland’s economic needs and fear of the ‘other’
The depiction of Scotland as being welcoming to newcomers is an important aspect of Scottish national identity, but what are the prospects for immigration reform in the case of Scottish independence? Joanna Wiseman argues that the debate on immigration in Scotland must go beyond a simple focus on Scotland’s economic needs and a suspicion and fear of ‘the […]
The ‘English Question’, what we can learn from the Cornish Assembly Campaign, and why an English tier is not enough
Cornish calls for devolved Government have been heard consistently since the 1960, with campaigners even managing to amass the signatures of 10% of the county’s population just over a decade ago. Dr Joanie Willett argues that the debate around the future of England as a political entity must consider the creation of regional governance structures which […]
Yes or no, the Scottish independence referendum will have a lasting impact on the coherence of the multi-national state
The future of the Union is in doubt, with a ‘yes’ vote in the Scottish referendum on independence still a possibility. The ramifications for the residual union of England, Wales, and Northern Ireland are under-explored, with attention focussing mainly on the implications for Scotland. Here, David Melding, the Conservative Welsh Assembly Member for South Wales […]
The Scottish Government’s emphasis on post-independence partnership with the UK makes it difficult to mobilise voters behind constitutional change
In 2014 Scotland will decide whether it wants to become an independent nation, but in an increasingly interdependent world. In the latest post of our Future of the Union series, Nicola McEwen suggests that the Scottish Government’s case to the electorate is based on future close cooperation between an independent Scotland, the UK and other […]
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