We’ve watched all the debates, read loads of leaflets and heard all the ‘facts’ – most of them contradictory. We’ve listened to the scores of ‘experts’, only to learn that no-one really knows for sure. But now, all the talking’s over – it’s time to make your decision: Remain or Leave.
The voting process itself is really quite straightforward (see the BBC graphic below). But WHAT to vote? Well … that’s up to you!
On Thursday 23 June polling stations across the UK will be open from 7am to 10pm.
With less than three weeks to go until the EU Referendum, citizens are being urged to ensure they know the facts about the vote. And would-be voters are also reminded that the deadline for registering to vote is this TUESDAY (7 June). Continue reading EU Referendum: Are you registered to vote?
Referendum count and Elton John events mean temporary closure
Meadowbank Sports Centre will be temporarily closed for events taking place from 23 – 25 June. Some areas of Meadowbank will also be closed before and after the events for set up and ‘break-down’. Continue reading Events force temporary closures at Meadowbank
Government spends £9.3 million on pro-EU ‘leaflet’
The Westminster government has been severely criticised for spending £9 million of tax payers money on an ‘information’ booklet which outlines the case for remaining in the European Union. Continue reading EU’re having a laugh – at our expense
Dear Editor
Tory politicians and others who the UK to leave the EU are extremely vocal about being able to trade as usual after leaving: they know, of course, how many people depend on this trading for their jobs, so seek to assure them.
If this is so, what other reasons do they have for wanting to leave – and more importantly whose interests are they concerned about?
Their main unspoken objective is to abolish all EU regulations dealing with working and social conditions, health and safety regulations and the environment – all of which have been of great benefit to people working in the UK.
On working conditions, for example:
So what do they object to – and why?
These regulations can always be improved by the UK Government; the same applies to health and safety and environmental reguations and others that have been of great benefit to the people of the UK.
But this is not their intention, of course – quite the reverse! This is why they want to get out, while shedding tears over how much they care!
A. Delahoy
Silverknowes Gardens
REFERENDUM DATE set for 23 JUNE
Not quite a ‘peace in our time’ moment – but has the Prime Minister secured enough concessions to keep Britain in Europe?
The Prime Minister made a statement following the meeting of the European Council where he negotiated a deal to give the UK special status in the EU. Continue reading Europe Referendum date is 23 June
‘More Scots voted to keep our kingdom united than have ever voted for any party in any election in Scottish history’ – Prime Minister David Cameron
Speaking one year after the people of Scotland voted to remain part of the United Kingdom, the Prime Minister today said he is focussed on delivering devolution so that the debate can move on from what powers the Scottish Parliament should have, to how they are used to better the lives of the people of Scotland.
He added that the UK government will shortly table an amendment to the Scotland Bill to put beyond doubt that Holyrood is here to stay.
The Prime Minister said:
One year ago Scotland’s majority spoke.
More Scots voted to keep our kingdom united than have ever voted for any party in any election in Scottish history.
They voted decisively for a powerful Scottish Parliament within a strong and secure United Kingdom. We listened.
So let me be crystal clear: Scottish devolution is woven into the very fabric of our United Kingdom.
We will table an amendment to the Scotland Bill so there is absolutely no doubt: Holyrood is here to stay.
Alex Salmond, Nicola Sturgeon and I signed the Edinburgh Agreement which pledged we would all respect the outcome of last year’s momentous vote.
We all agreed – as do the Scottish public – that the independence referendum should be a ‘once in a generation’ or a ‘once in a lifetime’ event.
So now it is time to move on.
Some may want to obsess about separation.
But I am focussed on delivering devolution so that the debate can move on from what powers the Scottish Parliament should have, to how they are used to better the lives of the people of Scotland.
And today, on the anniversary of that historic vote, let me repeat: we are delivering a new, accountable and permanent Scottish Parliament. Holyrood will be one of the most powerful devolved Parliaments in the world.
Broughton High School student Ross Cowper-Fraser says it’s now time that sixteen and seventeen year olds get to vote in all elections:
The referendum may be over, but the question of whether 16 and 17 year olds are to gain the vote in the UK general and Scottish elections continues to loom over the politicians at Westminster and Holyrood.
According to the official count 3.6 million Scots engaged in the vote on 18 September: 100,000 were 16 & 17 year olds voting for the first time
A poll of young voters conducted by Lord Ashcroft found that 71% voted yes.
Since the group was gathered relatively quickly only a modest number was interviewed and this does not show the main view of this age category in its entirety. It does raise a question: are the younger members of the Scottish public more progressive than others, or is it that most do not have enough life experience to make an informed decision?
I discovered this when I was taking pictures on the night of the referendum vote when these three girls were shouted at for looking: “f**ck**g twelve!” Similar comment came from both sides of the debate and struck me as quite bigoted from ‘adults’, yet the media cameras flocked in like hawks towards the three girls! This was either for the abuse or the speck of red white and blue (Three young girls are highlighted within a sea of yes voters at the Scottish Parliament., above).
This was the first time many young Scots have voted, and many sceptics have spoken out on this. Nevertheless it has been well documented that the level of engagement has been of a high standard: I know myself from fellow senior peers in my year and at least three years below in S3 (although they could not vote) have all been engaged in discussion.
Not only do I think our age group far exceeded the participation of the vote from sceptical people, I also think that some young people’s knowledge surpassed the awareness of plenty of adults, from watching Andrew Neil on Daily Politics to discussing the papers in the morning. This may be partly to the use mass of the social media platform: young people gained their information most of the time probably used links, friends and posts to gain knowledge.
Then there were the door to door talks, public meeting and school debates across the country as Scotland prepared for possibly the biggest decision of its people for many years.
This may be all well and good but now, how will the franchise age be lowered? At the age of 16 you can do things like pay taxes, join the army and get married, but without having any right to vote how the country can be called fully democratic?
I emailed Alison Johnstone, Green MSP for Lothian asking what she and her party thought of widening the electorate, and she replied: “After their brilliant contribution to the referendum debate, no-one can seriously argue that 16 and 17 year old’s should not get to vote in all future elections.
“As the debate around more powers for Scotland continues, the Scottish Greens want the rules to be changed in time to allow 16 and 17 years old’s to vote in the Westminster election next year, and certainly for the 2016 Scottish Parliament elections.”
“It has long been Scottish Green Party policy to extend the franchise to 16 and 17 year-old voters and we would like to see this happen in time for the UK General Election next May and 2016 Holyrood election.”
At Westminster, the Conservatives do not believe that this group should gain suffrage, and the UK independence party follow the Tories in this belief: funny really when the don’t agree on much more that not giving young the vote! This could work against them in the future: it may give a foundation of disconnection between them and future voters. Parties like Labour, Greens, SNP and the Liberal Democrats may become the main choice: either way, Scotland and especially the UK could change dramatically.
So essentially the youth vote could be a source of political advantage for the future – David Cameron may have to resort to swearing again so he can try and relate to the ‘impressionable youth’!
However less than half of 18 to 24 year olds voted in the last UK general election: this was much lower of the nation’s average voters. And there is nowhere in the UK where there is a huge number of young people centralised within one area, so spread out like this, can young people make much of a difference to the current flows of decision-making? For years youth groups have tried to be heard and get noticed, so it can be said that many do take an interest in politics. And due to recent events the youth voice may become a more important and relevant factor in current affairs.
I also contacted MSP Sarah Boyack to find out Scottish Labour’s position. She responded: “In the final months before the referendum I met young voters on both sides of the campaign who were keen to debate the issues and play their part.
“It was really exciting to see young people keen to engage in politics and it’s important that we do not allow that enthusiasm to disappear. Many young people are already active in our communities and we need to make sure that their skills and knowledge are fed into decision making.
“I believe that the time is right to extend the voting age for all elections to 16 and 17 year old’s and Labour is committed to this step at a UK level too. It is also important that this is backed by an extensive programme of civic education in schools and work to encourage more involvement in initiatives such as the Scottish Youth Parliament.”
So no-one under the age of 18 will vote in next May’s general election, but if you are an optimist then this may change depending on the party elected in 2015. Say Labour achieved this, then the voting age may be lowered for future Westminster elections. Meanwhile in Scotland this looks like a real possibility for the upcoming elections in 2016, as most parties agree to this movement for change.
Westminster may be left behind, swaying from the road to total democracy. Finally will the irony of placing total focus upon the Smith Commission place this matter in the dark? Let’s hope not.
Ross Cowper-Fraser
The UK Government will deliver on its pledge to bring significant new powers to the Scottish Parliament as part of further devolution within the UK, Scottish Secretary Alistair Carmichael said yesterday.
It coincided with the publication of a UK Government Command Paper, a summary of the proposals set out by the 3 main Westminster political parties that have been put forward for further devolution.
Speaking ahead of giving a statement in the House of Commons, Mr Carmichael said: “The referendum result made clear the majority of people in Scotland want to see a strong devolved Parliament as part of the UK.
“We pledged further devolution and we will deliver on that promise. Today’s Command Paper sets out the detail of the political positions from the parties. The Smith Commission must now be left to carry out its work before Heads of Agreement are published at the end of November.
“This is the first time all of Scotland’s main political parties will be involved in a process exploring areas of further devolution. I welcome that as an important recognition we must work together to deliver the new powers people want to see for Scotland”.
The independent Smith Commission is convening cross-party talks to reach agreement on the proposals. Its terms of reference make clear the recommendations will deliver more financial, welfare and taxation powers to strengthen the Scottish Parliament within the UK.
The move comes just days after the Scottish Government’s budget used the powers devolved by the Scotland Act 2012 to set Scottish stamp duty and landfill tax rates, as well as extend government borrowing.
Have your say on further financial devolution
The options for the further devolution of financial powers to Scotland are to be examined by the Scottish Parliament’s Finance Committee in a new inquiry launched last week – and the public are being asked to give their views.
Following the referendum, and the establishment of the Smith Commission, the Committee’s inquiry will look at what general principles should apply to the devolution of further financial powers and what those powers should be. The inquiry will also consider the impact of any further financial powers on the block grant.
During the course of the inquiry, the Committee will take evidence from a range of witnesses and is also asking people to submit their views on the options for financial devolution in Scotland.
Committee Convener, Kenneth Gibson MSP said: “Following the referendum, there is a debate about the further devolution of powers to Scotland. The Smith Commission is currently considering what further powers should be devolved to Scotland and key amongst these will be financial powers. It is only right that we contribute to this debate.
“Our inquiry will explore what powers should be devolved and the implications for Scotland’s funding. We want to hear a range of views about what this would mean for Scotland.”
The Committee is asking for views on a range of issues including:
• What general principles should apply to the devolution of further financial powers to the Scottish parliament?
• What further financial powers should be devolved to the Scottish Parliament and why?
• What further financial powers should not be devolved to the Scottish Parliament and why?
• To what extent could the Scottish Government be constrained in how it uses new tax powers given the interaction with fiscal decisions at a UK level?
• What are the implications of further fiscal devolution for the block grant?
• What are the implications of further financial powers for the role of Revenue Scotland?
The closing date for responses is Friday 14 November 2014.
All responses should be sent electronically to: finance@scottish.parliament.uk
More information on the Committee’s inquiry can be found on the Committee’s webpage:
http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/CurrentCommittees/29822.aspx
Mark Lazarowicz MP has pledged to work for the transfer of powers promised to the Scottish Parliament without delay as Ed Miliband and the other UK party leaders confirmed their commitment to the process.
The North & Leith MP sets out his views on the way ahead for Scotland and the rest of the UK on the path to constitutional reform in an article published on his website today.
He said: “There must be no delay in the transfer of powers promised during the referendum campaign to the Scottish Parliament.
“Gordon Brown announced a timetable with cross-party support for further transfers of power to the Scottish Parliament and Ed Miliband as well as the other UK party leaders have reaffirmed their commitment to it.
“That has now begun with the agreement of a Parliamentary Motion which will be published as soon as Parliament returns. Full debate involving the Scottish Parliament and civil society in Scotland will follow leading to legislation being drafted by January.
“We now need to re-engage people to rebuild democracy throughout the UK by devolving power and Scotland is leading the way in that.”
You can find the full text of the article at:
