Just a public service reminder that the Scottish Government's consultation on a possible second independence referendum will be closing in a couple of days. As you're probably aware, it's not a consultation on the principle of whether an early referendum should be held, but instead asks for views on the rules that should govern a referendum if one is called. In that sense, it would be equally logical for both supporters and opponents of independence to respond - but I have a sneaking suspicion that the overall number of responses may be used by the media as an indication of the current level of enthusiasm for both independence and a referendum. So if you feel able to respond, I'd suggest it might be a good idea to do so.
Some of the questions may initially look a bit daunting, because they cover fairly arcane and technical issues, but bear in mind that it's not necessary to respond to every question or to cover every aspect of an individual question. If all else fails, probably the easiest question to answer is number 2, which touches on the extent of the franchise. There's the opportunity to express approval for the automatic inclusion of 16 and 17 year olds (without any need for a separate register this time), and for the decision to continue basing the franchise on residency, rather than the 'birthright' principle that governed the Brexit referendum. It's always worth making the point that if the 2014 indyref had used the same principle as the Brexit vote (ie. excluding most people born outside Scotland), there's academic evidence to suggest that Yes might well have narrowly won. Conversely, if the Brexit vote had used the same principle as the indyref and allowed EU citizens living in the UK to vote, it's overwhelmingly likely that Remain would have won. So we're actually supporting a franchise that is against the best interests of the Yes campaign - but we're doing that because we have strong ideals about the type of country we want to live in, regardless of whether we are independent or not.
You can read the consultation paper, and respond to it online, by clicking HERE.
The Scottish Government are wasting public money on this. The British people voted to brexit. It was a legal all Britain referendum. Scotland is not being dragged out of the EU.
ReplyDeleteOnce we are out of the corrupt mafia EU Scotland and Britain will move on.
Hopefully, you will move on before then.
DeleteSeez you Jimmy innatt you Nat sis are on a hiding.
Delete15%.
DeleteThe only people that should be aloud to vote are Scots who where born and stay in Scotland.
ReplyDeleteWhy? People who live here have an obvious stake, no matter where they were born, or what accent they speak with.
DeleteAnyone who can't spell "allowed" or "were" is too dim to vote.
DeleteI am not being a racist regarding my comments "The only people that should be allowed to vote are Scots who were born and stay in Scotland.”, I'm a proud Scot living abroad trying to get home for any second vote, but I was excluded from the first, why, I have a stake in what direction my Country takes that hasn't got any less because I live in England. So anyone who can't spell or has poor grammar can't vote, I didn’t think any of these things matter when it's mark X in a box that counts.
Delete"The only people that should be aloud to vote are Scots who where born and stay in Scotland." How dare you tell me I'm not fit to vote because I wasn't born in Scotland.
DeleteEthnic nationalism. Ugly stuff. But it's what drives the SNP, underneath their veneer of modernity and respectability.
DeleteThanks for pointing this out to us and to its closing date. I replied with three points.
ReplyDeletea. Postal voting should be restricted to the same conditions as Proxy voting.
b. Automatic registration to vote for all who come in contact with local authority or scottish government services
c. Inclusing of Broadcast media and newspapers on spending limits where their participation is partisan or they cannot demonstrate strict balance between the two official campaigns.
I am a Scot born in England to Scottish parents. My dad was working there. Twenty months later my brother was born in Scotland. I have lived in Scotland since then. I am 65 years old. Am I to be denied a vote in an Independence referendum because of something over which I had no control? I voted yes in 2014 and would do so again in a second referendum. My English born husband has lived in Scotland for nearly 43 years and is also a supporter of an independent Scotland. I'm sure there are others like us who would not be eligible to vote yes if Anon's rules applied
ReplyDeleteAnon is a racist thicko. His views are fortunately in the minority.
DeleteYou must be English if born in England. People permanantly resident in Scotland must get the vote.
ReplyDeleteOnly people on the Scottish electoral register should be eligible to vote and fund campaigns (proxies should not be allowed,especially with regard to funding).Next time it has to be a Scottish only affair without outside interference from England or elsewhere.
ReplyDeleteHowever,the toothless Electoral Commission still haven't brought the Tories to book for overspending in the last Westminster elections so won't be expecting much from them.
Does that include the Nat si Gov not using a penny of taxpayers money promoting the government view.
Delete15%.
DeleteI sent them a short paragraph something along the lines of "this matter is settled, get on with governing".
ReplyDeleteIt's all a big fuss over nothing anyway. This referendum is a ghost.
By your very presence here, you *know* it isn't settled.
DeleteTory troll trolls.
He'll be along in a second to tell us for the billionth time about how he doesn't care.
DeleteAldo is probably right however I want a referendum and see you Nat sis trashed again.
ReplyDeleteI wonder Conan how all those thousands of new young radicals that joined the Nat sis feel now being subservients of the Yellow Tories.
Many of those thousands were neither young nor radical as you well know; the rest of your post is your usual pish.
DeleteBut many were young and I agree not all radical as Yellow Tory policies indicate.
DeleteI doubt you will get away with the Red Tory propoganda more much longer.
GWC. Of course many converts to the cause for independence are young. Look at the choices they have...
DeleteIt's the grizzled old union shop stewards that now detest the Labour party that your kind need to worry about.
I do not worry at all. There were grizzled old shop stewards when I was a young shop steward. Most of them old Labour or in the CPGB. Some did fight the good fight others took what they could and some became politicians.
DeleteThat old world is now gone.
You were a shop steward?
DeleteSo was I.
I do remember the very charming chap who came up from London saying "Of course you make a profit... it's just not enough."
Conan I was old T&G but previous to that EEPTU. You will find that charming chaps in Scotland will say the same as the London Chap. I suppose it sounds better if it is one of your own!
DeleteIf the seps held a referendum and lost again that would be delicious. But the way things are going Strugglin is probably going to spend the next few years just spinning bullshit. Theresa May just shat all over her and she's still using vague, non-committal language. A bit like a burglar rampaging through your house and grabbing your wife's jugs and you stand there with the phone saying 'It's VERY likely I'll call the police now!'. Well.......get on with it!
DeleteA few weeks ago I asked what the rules would be on who would be allowed to vote and was blasted for implying that it could and or should be changed. So I ask again, if the rules are always changing, should Scottish gov go with the rules that favor it's position , favor the other side, or go with what is the " high road" choice. ?? I actually think their are legitimate arguments in favor of each position. Personally I think that only people living permanently in Scotland should vote on independence, but I am NOT a Scotsman, so my position is worthless.
ReplyDeleteThe is a case for voters registered for Westminster elections to have a vote, since many will lose their EU citizenship.
ReplyDeleteI'm undecided on whether or not it would be a good idea.
As for funding, we could consider that EU money could be useful and possible ban or limit UK govt money being spent on campaigning. Maybe make purdah criminally, legally enforced. Perhaps even allow the referendum to be suspended if this happens.
State that broadcast media should interview an equal number of representatives of both sides by Holyrood representation or campaign membership, hence no more 3 to 1 sound bites. Say labour & Tory vs snp & green