The Scottish Parliament has unanimously passed legislation which will allow the Scottish Independence Referendum to be held next year. The bill, presented by the Scottish Government, sets out the rules under which the ballot will take place – such as spending limits on campaigning and the question to be posed. It was already widely known but it confirms that, next September, voters will be asked the single question “Should Scotland be an independent country?” and asked to answer yes or no.
Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon
This was not a controversial bill, with even the opponents of independence supporting the legislation. As the Labour MSP, Drew Smith, explained “Scottish Labour welcomes the Scottish Independence Referendum Bill and we will be voting ‘yes’ at decision time this afternoon – after that, I fear the consensus may break down again somewhat.”
This was rather acknowledged by the Deputy First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, who conceded that discussion in the months ahead would be “passionate, at times heated”. But she thought the Scottish Parliament could be proud that it was passing legislation “that will put Scotland’s future into Scotland’s hands – I hope the people of Scotland will seize that opportunity, sees the future, sees that prospect of a better Scotland with a resounding ‘yes’ vote.”
The arrangements for holding the referendum had already been agreed in advance by the Scottish and UK governments, under the terms of the Edinburgh Agreement. The Act ensures the referendum is conducted on a level playing field for both sides of the debate. The vote itself will be overseen by the Electoral Commission and the ballot itself directed by a “chief counting officer”.
The new Act was passed just a short time before the Scottish Government’s White Paper on independence is published.