Chapter 12: Constitutional Change and the Referendum on Independence
The election of a majority SNP Government in 2011 has allowed it to legislate to introduce a referendum on independence in 2014. The independence debate now dominates political discussion in Scotland. This chapter traces the modern history of the constitutional change debate and examines the key questions that will arise.
12.1 The meaning of independence has changed over the years, from the idea of a separate state to the idea of a political system within the European Union and subject to international commitments
12.2 ‘Fiscal autonomy’ is also an unclear term
12.3 Even under independence, the Scottish Government would not control all of its policy areas. Many areas are ‘Europeanized’ and the Bank of England would retain control over monetary policy (if Scotland uses the pound).
12.4 Other options – such as devo max – are equally problematic but discussed relatively little (after the Scottish and UK Governments agreed that there would be a single yes/ no question on independence)
12.5 There have already been two major consultations on constitutional change since 2007. One produced a new Scotland Act giving some more powers to the Scottish Government (including the ability to modify income taxes further).
12.6 Support for further constitutional change is related strongly to levels of national identity
12.7 A yes vote is unlikely but a no vote is by no means inevitable
12.8 Unresolved questions include: what will Scotland ’s status be in the EU; what effect will independence have in practice; and, what will an independent Scotland look like?
12.9 The print media has traditionally been anti-independence (and often anti-SNP) but it is less anti- than before
