Pro-Union parties unveil 'fair' referendum wording

Chief Scottish Political Correspondent

Thursday 23 August 2012

THE independent group commissioned by the pro-Union parties to devise a fair question for the independence referendum revealed a short and sweet form of words yesterday which they said went back to basics as "clear, understandable, decisive, unbiased and fair."

QUESTION TIME: Alex Salmond took time out from the debate yesterday to visit the Edinburgh International Book Festival. Picture: Gordon Terris

Custom byline text:

ROBBIE DINWOODIE CHIEF SCOTTISH POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT

Headed by Lord Sutherland, the former principal of Edinburgh University and architect of Scotland's policy of free personal care for the elderly, the group came up with one of the shortest constitutional questions posed in a referendum.

It asks: "Scotland should be an independent state." Voters would then be invited to agree or disagree with this premise.The word "separate" or phrase "leaving the UK" didn't get a look-in, as the panel – which included Canadian election expert Ron Gould and the international authority on referendums Dr Matt Qvortrup – defended the wording.Having commissioned the project, Labour, the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats had little choice but to welcome the efforts of the group, although dismay was privately expressed by some pro-Union politicians at the outcome of the exercise.Later, without conceding any movement on the issue, it was clear that Scottish Government advisers thought the whole issue of the wording of the questions had shifted in their favour, because what the panel had suggested was not far from Alex Salmond's declared preference. The First Minister wants voters to be asked: "Do you agree that Scotland should be an independent country?"The Electoral Commission, which will assess the proposed referendum question, has made it clear it will only consider a form of words composed by the relevant government. One of the few areas of comfort for the pro-union campaign was that panel members dismissed proposals for a second question on enhanced devolution, saying introducing that into a referendum process was too complex.Lord Sutherland rebuffed arguments around the terminology of the question, insisting that "state" was the technical term for what was proposed, given that Scotland was already a country and a nation.He also brushed off the suggestion that "separate" should be used in the question, saying independence had a legally understood meaning and adding: "I live in the Borders and shop in Berwick-upon-Tweed. What does 'separate' mean?"Labour leader Johann Lamont said: "This is a real opportunity for all sides of this debate to reach a consensus."The question has to be fair in order that the result properly reflects the will of the Scottish people and by endorsing the question put forward by the expert panel this ensures that no advantage can be gained from either side."Scottish Tory leader Ruth Davidson said: "Surely Alex Salmond will agree his referendum on separation must produce a clear result and that is precisely what the expert panel's simple, unbiased question was devised to deliver."It is obvious from the panel's excellent work that a referendum is only effective when there is clarity on both the issue and the question, so this must rule out any notion of a further question on devolution which would produce nothing but confusion."Scottish LibDem leader Willie Rennie said: "This panel is the only independent expert panel that has been established to draft the question for the referendum. "The proposal from this expert group will help us reach a conclusion to this matter."A Scottish Government spokesman said: "It is the job of the Electoral Commission to test the question proposed by the Government and make recommendations, and the job of the Scottish Parliament to decide."That is the process that will happen, which means that the arrangements in place in Scotland will match those for other referendums in the UK under the Westminster Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000."Scottish Government: "Do you agree that Scotland should be an independent country?"Alistair Darling and the Better Together campaign: "Do you agree that Scotland should become a country independent from the rest of the UK?"The Sutherland inquiry:"Scotland should be an independent state. Agree/disagree."

Contextual targeting label:

Local government

Commenting & Moderation

We moderate all comments on HeraldScotland on either a pre-moderated or post-moderated basis. If you're a relatively new user then your comments will be reviewed before publication and if we know you well then your comments will be subject to moderation only if other users or the moderators believe you've broken the rules, which are available here.

Moderation is undertaken full-time 9am-6pm on weekdays, and on a part-time basis outwith those hours. Please be patient if your posts are not approved instantly.

Pro-Union parties unveil 'fair' referendum wording

Commenting & Moderation

MOST READ

SPONSORED LINKS

MOST COMMENTED