Prior to the UK general election of 1997, popular arguments
against a Scottish Parliament were that it would create a "slippery
slope" to independence, giving the pro-independence Scottish National
Party (SNP) a route to power. John Major, Conservative Prime Minister until
1997, famously claimed it would end "1,000 years of British history"
(although the Acts of Union uniting the countries were still less than 300
years old at the time). The Labour Party met these criticisms by claiming that
devolution would fatally undermine the SNP, and remedy the long-felt desire of
Scots for a measure of self-government.
Following
the election of Tony Blair and Labour in 1997, a referendum was held in which
the Scottish people voted in favour of a Scottish Parliament. This was
established by the Scotland Act 1998, which set out its powers as a devolved
legislature. The first meeting of the new Parliament took place on 12th May
1999.
In
the 2007 parliamentary election the SNP emerged as the largest party but could
only form a minority government. Its election manifesto had pledged to hold a
referendum on independence in 2010. The draft of a referendum bill was launched
to the public, detailing the options and proposals for Scotland's future. Due
to opposition from the other main parties, however, the bill was eventually
withdrawn after failing to secure enough support.
During
the 2011 parliamentary election, the SNP repeated its earlier manifesto pledge.
This time, the party won an absolute majority, gaining a mandate to hold an
independence referendum. In 2012, the UK government offered to legislate to
provide the Scottish Parliament with the specific powers to hold a referendum,
providing it was "fair, legal and decisive". This would set terms of
reference for the referendum, such as the question(s) asked, the electorate
used and the organising body. The Scottish Government then announced that they
intended to hold the referendum in autumn 2014. Negotiations continued between
the Scottish and UK Governments until October 2012, when an agreement was
reached.
Media
reports speculated that autumn 2014 was chosen due to the 700th anniversary of
the Battle of Bannockburn – one of the decisive Scottish victories in the wars
of independence. However, this was denied by First Minister Alex Salmond.
Salmond
had been hoping to fund and build a campaign for a second question on greater
devolution, but his efforts ended in failure. The referendum would instead ask
a single "yes or no" question on independence.
The
main arguments from those in favour of independence were political and economic
freedom, allowing Scotland to have full control over its taxes, laws and
natural resources. It was thought that being independent from England, Wales
and Northern Ireland would give the country a greater presence on the world
stage. Scotland could guide its own destiny, shaping its unique values, needs
and aspirations while remaining friends with the rest of the UK.
On
the other side of the debate, those who favoured maintaining the status quo
pointed to the centuries-long economic and political success of the existing
union – arguably one of the most stable and prosperous in the world. An
independent Scotland would mean greater financial risks and a loss of security,
diminishing the Union as a whole, at a time of global uncertainty.
A
third viewpoint – known as Devo Plus – advocated for Scotland to have
responsibility in raising the taxes it spent while keeping defence, pensions
and foreign affairs at UK level.
Polls
conducted prior to the referendum consistently favoured a continuation of the
Union.*** In 2014, the majority of Scots voted
"no" to independence. Scotland would retain its status as part of the
United Kingdom, a position it had held since 1707.*
References
References
http://www.ipsos-mori.com/researchpublications/researcharchive/3058/
Accessed 21st October 2012.
Just one in three Scots wants independence from Britain, poll shows, The Telegraph:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/scotland/scottish-politics/9288220/
Accessed 21st October 2012.
Scottish independence: the essential guide, The Guardian:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/scottish-independence-essential-guide
Accessed 21st October 2012.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acts_of_Union_1707
Accessed 21st October 2012.
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