Tag: discussion

Independence: write or wrong?

referendum flagsTwo months from referendum day, two prominent Scottish writers have set out a personal case for Yes and No – and Allan Massie and William McIlvanney are to discuss their differing perspectives on independence at a special event marking 50 days until referendum day.

Two new pamphlets by leading Scottish writers inspired by the 2014 independence referendum were published yesterday, two months to the day until Scottish voters go to the polls to determine Scotland’s future. The publications are the latest in an ongoing programme of Saltire Series Pamphlets, commissioned by non-political independent charity the Saltire Society.

One pamphlet, entitled ‘Nevertheless’, makes the case for a No vote in the September poll and is the handiwork of prominent journalist and writer Allan Massie. The other pamphlet, ‘Dreaming Scotland’, authored by the novelist and poet William McIlvanney, sets out his own reasons for voting Yes.

The two writers will be in conversation with one another at a special event to be hosted at the Central Hall in Edinburgh at 7.30pm on Wednesday 30 July and chaired by Robyn Marsack of the Scottish Poetry Library, marking exactly 50 days until the historic vote takes place.

Massie has written almost 30 books, including 20 novels and won the Saltire Society Scottish Book of the Year award for his 1989 novel A Question of Loyalties about Vichy France.

Arguing the case for Scotland to remain part of the United Kingdom, Allan Massie’s Pamphlet concludes:

“It is, for me, a matter of self-confidence. If you feel the lack of that, you will vote for independence. If you feel confident of Scotland’s ability to remain Scottish and prosper in the Union, you will agree that we are indeed Better Together and vote “no”. The Unionist says, I am Scottish. Nevertheless I am also British, and value the Union with England, “our sister and ally”, as [Sir Walter] Scott called her.”

William McIlvanney is also a past winner of the Saltire Society Scottish Book of the Year award for his 1996 novel The Kiln and has been previously described by none other than Allan Massie as ‘the finest Scottish novelist of our time’.

Setting out his reasons for voting in favour of independence, McIlvanney writes:

“Politically, Scotland’s like a living entity which has been cryogenically frozen and stored within the UK for over 300 years. Isn’t it time to come out of history’s deep-freeze and explore for ourselves who we really are? Whatever that reality turns out to be, let’s confront it. It’s time to grow up and take full responsibility for ourselves. A yes vote would do that.”

Saltire Society Executive Director Jim Tough said:

“Much of the political debate around the referendum has rightly been focused on practical questions and the economic case for and against. We wanted to provide an opportunity for some more philosophical thought to be given to the question. Hence we asked two of Scotland’s contemporary writers, each bringing an alternate perspective, to contribute these thoughtfully argued pieces.

“We wanted personal reflections rather than polemics. I think they dig that bit more deeply into what motivates people to vote one way or the other at a more instinctive level. Both pamphlets also offer some fascinating insights into the way history has shaped the Scotland we live in today – and who we are as modern Scots.”

Tickets for the ‘McIlvanney and Massie in Conversation’ event as well as both limited edition Pamphlets (‘Nevertheless’ by Allan Massie and ‘Dreaming Scotland’ by William McIlvanney) can be purchased from the Saltire Society offices or through the Saltire Society website: www.saltiresociety.org.uk.

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YES campaign comes to Craigroyston

Yes Edinburgh North & Leith and Yes Edinburgh West are hosting a community event to present the case for a ‘Yes’ vote in the forthcoming referendum at Craigroyston Community High School tomorrow (Thursday) evening at 7.30pm.

Confirmed speakers are Fiona Hyslop MSP, Robin McAlpine (Reid Foundation), Michelle Thomson (Women4Independence) and SSP national co-spokesperson Colin Fox, and the event – which includes a question and answer and discussion session – will be chaired by former Lothian Region Council leader (and former Pilton Partnership manager) John Mulvey.

All welcome, doors open 7.15pm.

While the Craigroyston event will focus on the case for a YES vote on 18 September, the Better Together campaign  advances the argument for a different future for Scotland. To find out more about the case for staying together and information about local events and activities, visit the Better Together Edinburgh Facebook page or go to www.bettertogether.net yes

Fixing a broken democracy?

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Fixing broken democracy – have your say at a Democracy Max event being held by Electoral Reform Society Scotland in Glasgow next month:

At the Electoral Reform Society (ERS) Scotland we are committed to campaigning for better democracy. As we approach the independence referendum, we think it is vital that we take the opportunity to assess, and where necessary reform, our democracy. We have called this inquiry ‘Democracy Max’.

The process has included public events, roundtable discussions and publications. The final public event in this phase will be on Thursday August 8th at the University of Strathclyde, Glasgow. Everyone is welcome to come along.

The first event of the Democracy Max inquiry brought together 80 people from across Scotland to spend a day at a ‘People’s Gathering’. They talked to each other and shared their ideas stimulated by the proposition: “It’s 2030, and Scotland is admired as a shining example of democracy and democratic participation. What three aspects of this future society please you most?”

Following the People’s Gathering, the findings have been discussed by roundtables of academics, commentators, campaigners and community activists. Those discussions have then been presented to a public audience for feedback.

Some of the ideas that have been proposed so far include:

• Real local democracy where people run their own communities

• A citizen’s chamber, selected like a jury , to hold the Parliament to account

• A rejuvenated ‘media of many voices’ with a strong public service element

• An assumption of full open-ness and transparency, including a register of lobbyists

We’re now discussing what technical and structural changes we might need to make some of these things happen and guarantee a good Scottish democracy. And, how do we ensure full citizen participation and ‘buy-in’ to the process. We want to ensure there are adequate checks and balances in our democracy so we’re asking ‘How do we write the rules?’

We’re more interested in structures that respect democratic participation and address the concerns expressed throughout the inquiry than we are in the detail of what the rules would be. We are keen to ensure that any decisions made in Scotland’s future will stand on solid democratic ground.

Some of the questions asked during the ‘How do we write the rules?’ phase of the inquiry include:

• As we enter the next phase of Scotland’s devolution journey, should we take stock of progress so far and ask if the Scottish Parliament is meeting the aspirations of 1999? Should this be a citizen led process?

• Whatever the result of the referendum should we consider some kind of participative consultation across Scotland to find out how Scotland should shape its democratic future? Is politics too important to be left to politicians?

• If we instigate such a deliberative and inclusive process, would it inevitably require some kind of written constitution type document to result?

• Should both the campaigns and all the parties be asked to sign up to key democratic principles which would be respected whatever the result of the referendum?

One of the key areas we are keen to address is how important people feel a written constitution would be to a good Scottish democracy. And if it is considered an important element, then how can we begin an inclusive process that reflects all viewpoints across Scotland, and what sort of process could or should that be within the devolved settlement. After all, if we believe that a constitution is an important building block for democracy, then the existence of a constitution should not be contingent upon a yes vote in the referendum.

If you are interested in discussing these issues, or have additional ideas or suggestions for how we might guarantee rights and responsibilities in a good Scottish democracy, please join us at an interactive conversation and discussion event on Thursday August 8th at the Graham Hills Building, George Street, Glasgow.

Register here: democracy-max.eventbrite.co.uk.

Or contact Juliet Swann on juliet.swann@electoral-reform.org.uk

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