Independence? Posing the question through drama

That referendum – made your mind up yet? If leaflets, TV debates and party political broadcasts leave you unmoved, maybe a drama performance will spark some interest and generate debate? Inverleith CLD worker Callum McLeod is certainly enthusiastic about a forthcoming event:

I’ve attached a poster advertising performances by Inverleith Youth Theatre which will take place in Broughton High School and North Edinburgh Arts theatres of in two weeks time (details in the poster).

The ‘Stuck In The Middle’ storyline concerns a teenage male’s journey and his subsequent thoughts towards becoming “Independent”. However, I’m sure the audience will find various other messages and subplots – and perhaps even a wider social issue for them to explore through the watching the performance!

We’re also planning the event so that there’ll be space at the end for discussion and so folk will have time to discuss the piece further, and share their thoughts with other audience members – and we do imagine that the subject matter will carry over for some time!

Without doubt, I’m slightly biased towards Inverleith Youth Theatre’s performances but they are usually of a good standard and so I can honestly say that I’m sure this will be a fab performance and well worth attending!

The main aim of the performance is to get as many people as possible talking and thinking about the actual issues raised, so we’ve made the event free. We’ll still be taking donations though as this youth group are trying to take it’s members – and the performance – to a youth drama camp over the summer, so any contributions towards this will be welcomed!

Inverleith Youth Theatre’s ‘Stuck In The Middle’ performance dates:

Tuesday 16 April 7pm Broughton High School

and

Thursday 18 April 7pm North Edinburgh Arts

Callum McLeod

Inverleith CLD, Broughton High School

Scotland will decide on 18 September 2014

Should Scotland be an independent country?

Scotland’s referendum will be held on 18 September next year, First Minister Alex Salmond announced in the Scottish Parliament today. The date is contained in the Scottish Independence Referendum Bill, introduced to the Parliament and published today, which also confirms that voters will be asked the question: Should Scotland be an independent country?.

The legislation provides that the referendum will be:

preceded by a 16-week formal campaign period, during which limits will apply to the amount of money any registered participant may spend on campaigning, aimed at ensuring a level playing field for both sides of the debate
overseen by the independent Electoral Commission, responsible for regulating the campaign rules, informing the public about the referendum and reporting to the Scottish Parliament on the conduct and administration of the referendum
conducted under the direction of a Chief Counting Officer responsible for appointing local Counting Officers to run the poll in local areas

Mr Salmond said: “On 18th September 2014 people across Scotland will vote to determine their country’s future. It will be a historic day, and one on which this ancient nation decides its place in the world. People will be able to choose if they want a Scotland that is independent and able to make her own decisions – with a Scottish Parliament that is responsible for making the most of Scotland’s rich resources to benefit its communities and safeguard the welfare of our most vulnerable citizens and accountable for how we engage other nations around the world.

“Devolution has shown how we can use Holyrood’s powers to improve lives in the policy areas where we are already effectively independent. Scotland has made great strides since our national Parliament was reconvened in 1999 after almost 300 years. We are a more confident country, secure in the knowledge that when we take decisions for ourselves we can help make this a better place to live for all our citizens.

“Landmark policies introduced since devolution have made Scotland a safer, healthier and fairer country. Throughout the Parliament’s history, we have used our powers for progressive purposes – such as free personal care, pioneering homelessness legislation, an end to tuition fees, and protecting the National Health Service.

“But we can and must do more – and only the powers of an independent Parliament with control of the economy, of international representation and of security will allow us to make the most of our huge national potential. Scotland now faces two futures: continuing with an outdated political entity that ill-serves the interests of the people of Scotland – a system that will continue to give us governments we didn’t vote for. Or independence, where Scotland will get a Parliament that is both fully empowered and fully accountable to those whose lives are affected by its actions.

“With full economic levers and access to our huge natural resources, we can not only defend the progress made with devolution but we can become a fairer, more prosperous society. And one where a new, 21st Century relationship is forged between the nations of these islands and with the wider community of nations. 18 September 2014 can be a date which becomes etched in our nation’s story as the day Scotland took a decisive step forward to a better, fairer future.”

Opposition parties who support the Union – including Labour, Conservatives and the Lib Dems – argue Scotland is better off as part of the wider UK. Scottish Labour Johann Lamont responded to news of the referendum date by accusing the government of ‘putting Scotland on pause’.

She said: “If the hand of history is on the First Minister’s shoulder I wish it would give him a shove and he’d get on with it. This is the man who got into power by playing down his belief in independence. And there will be many people who voted SNP but don’t believe in independence who will breathe a sigh of relief, like me, that the date when we can finish this constitutional debate once and for all and get on with dealing with the real issues and priorities of Scotland is now in sight. Until then Scotland remains on pause.

“What I do not understand is that why if leaving the United Kingdom is the key to Scotland’s prosperity, why he wants Scotland to languish for another year and a half before we get the chance to vote on it. The truth behind the delay is not that he is holding to a promise made to the electorate in a tv debate. The truth is Alex Salmond knows if he held the referendum now he wouldn’t just lose it he would be routed. All the self-aggrandizement of today isn’t just a sign of the First Minister’s usual pomposity. Making an occasion out of a delayed announcements, is an attempt to con the people into believing that we have moved a step towards independence when we haven’t.

“The truth is, I believe, we have moved a step down the road of cementing Scotland’s place in the United Kingdom. If today is the day when the debate starts in earnest then it should also be the day when the First Minister breaks the habit of a lifetime and starts answering questions. What controls would the Bank of England, by then a foreign bank, have over the policies of the government of a separate Scotland? What would the deal be if Scotland became a new member of the European Union?

“Alex Salmond has avoided giving detailed answers to these questions and many more in the years past, in the months ahead the people of Scotland will hold him to account. He plans to hold the referendum in the autumn of next year and to publish his white paper in the autumn of this. Why the delay? If we are to have the transparent debate the First Minister says he wants, why does he not publish his full independence plans now. If he wants a proper debate then he must disclose that white paper today. If not the whole country will be asking: What’s the plan, Alex?”

Who do you believe? Whatever your current opinion, both sides of the argument now have eighteen long months to persuade and convince voters.

And they say a week is a long time in politics … !

What kind of Scotland do YOU want?

As you might know, Community Learning and Development (CLD) in Edinburgh has agreed to prioritise educational activities around next year’s referendum on Scotland’s independence – arguably the biggest decision that people in Scotland have been called on to make.

The Edinburgh Active Citizenship group (EACG) is running a series of free public seminars in the run up to the‘Big Vote’.

The first, ‘What kind of Scotland do we want to live in?’ is on Thursday 21^st March, 7pm-8.45pm in the Godfrey Thomson Hall, Moray House.

Our speaker is James Robertson, award-winning poet and writer of fiction. His novels, which often have political themes, includeJoseph Knight, The Testament of Gideon Mack and And the Land Lay Still. His next book, to be published in June, isThe Professor of Truth.

Come along to hear what James Robertson has to say, voice your views and raise your own questions. Bear in mind that 16 and 17 year olds will be entitled to vote too, so please also encourage the participation of youth groups/young people you know or work with.

Nancy Somerville

Community Learning & Development, City of Edinburgh Council

Tel: 0131 558 3545

BigVoteRedMarch2013

Should Scotland be an independent country? That is the question!

The Electoral Commission has published its assessment of the Scottish Government’s proposed independence referendum question and has also given its advice on what campaign spending limits in the run-up to the poll should be.

John McCormick, Electoral Commissioner for Scotland said: “Voters are entitled to a referendum which produces a result they can have confidence in. The recommendations we have made today are an important part of giving voters that confidence. But it is of course for the Scottish Parliament to have the final say.”

The Commission was asked to test the following question by the Scottish Government:

“Do you agree that Scotland should be an independent country? Yes/No”

The Commission’s established question assessment process involved talking to people across Scotland, asking for advice from accessibility and plain language experts, and writing to people and organisations, including the main political parties represented in the Scottish Parliament and campaigners to seek their views.

We found that the language in the proposed question is clear, simple and easy to understand. However, we also concluded that the words ‘Do you agree’ potentially encouraged people to vote ‘yes’ and should be replaced by more neutral wording.

The Electoral Commission recommends the question should be altered to:

“Should Scotland be an independent country? Yes / No”

The research also showed that voters want factual information ahead of the referendum. In the event of a “Yes” vote there would be a range of issues to be resolved within the UK and internationally about the terms of independence.

Although we would not expect the terms of independence to be agreed before the vote, clarity about how the terms of independence will be decided would help voters understand how the competing claims made by campaigners before the referendum will be resolved.

The Commission has therefore recommended that the UK and Scottish Governments should clarify what process will follow the referendum, for either outcome, so that people have that information before they vote. To avoid confusion we have asked the Governments to agree a joint position if possible.

John McCormick, Electoral Commissioner for Scotland said: “We have rigorously tested the proposed question, speaking to a wide range of people across Scotland. Any referendum question must be, and be seen to be, neutral. People told us that they felt the words ‘Do you agree’ could lead voters towards voting ‘yes’.

“People had a clear understanding that ‘independent country’ meant being separate from the UK. But they did want factual information in advance about what will happen after the referendum. We’re asking the UK and Scottish Government to provide that clarity and we’ll then make sure it gets to voters as part of our public awareness campaign.”

The Scottish Government has welcomed the announcement, and confirmed it will accept all of the Electoral Commission recommendations on the referendum question and campaign spending limits.

Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said she was delighted with the recommended question – ’Should Scotland be an independent country? Yes/No’ – and confirmed that it will be this question that is put before the Scottish Parliament. The Deputy First Minister also said she was satisfied with the recommended spending limits as they provide a level playing field for both sides of the debate.

In line with established practice in referendums throughout the UK, the Scottish Parliament will take the final decision on the wording of the question and campaign spending limits as part of its consideration of the Referendum Bill, which will be introduced in March.

Ms Sturgeon also welcomed the Electoral Commission’s calls for clarity around what a ‘No’ vote will mean for Scotland and its recommendation that the Scottish and UK governments work together to give clarity to the process that will follow a ‘Yes’ vote. She called on the UK government to accept these recommendations.

Ms Sturgeon said: “I would like to thank the Electoral Commission for the work they have done on testing our proposed referendum question and giving advice on campaign spending limits. I am pleased to confirm we will accept their recommendations in full.

“I am particularly delighted with the conclusion the Electoral Commission has reached on the question. While its view is that our proposed question was clear, simple and easy to understand, I am nevertheless happy to accept their recommended change.

“Their advice is based on rigorous testing and we will submit the Electoral Commission’s recommended question – ‘Should Scotland be an independent country?’ – to the Scottish Parliament as part of the Referendum Bill.

“I am also pleased with the spending limits proposed by the Electoral Commission – they deliver a level playing field and will allow a fair and balanced debate on both sides. I am also pleased that the Commission has modified the position set out in their response to our consultation in March, as this would have resulted in an imbalance between the two sides of the campaign.

“We have always said that Scotland’s referendum will be run to the highest international standards of fairness and transparency, and the Electoral Commission plays a vital role in that.

“The Scottish Parliament will take the final decision on the wording of the question and campaign spending limits as part of its consideration of the Referendum Bill which reinforces that this is truly a referendum made in Scotland.

“I also welcome the Electoral Commission calls for both the Scottish and UK Governments to clarify what process will follow the referendum if most voters vote ‘Yes’ or most voters vote ‘No’ vote. The Electoral Commission rightly point out this is in line with the Edinburgh Agreement.

“I have been calling for the UK Government to enter discussions to allow the voters to be better informed, but so far they have refused. This would not be pre-negotiation on the terms of independence but vital information for voters that will allow them to make an informed choice in autumn 2014. Given the Scottish Government is accepting all recommendations from the Electoral Commission I would hope that the UK Government is prepared to do the same.”

The leader of the Labour Party in Scotland Johann Lamont MSP has also welcomed the EC’s findings. Responding to the Electoral Commission report on the proposed referendum question and campaign financing, she said: “We welcome the Electoral Commission’s findings and will, of course, vote for them to e accepted in full. We did not get everything we asked for, but the most important people in this process are the people of Scotland and we believe that in the interests of clarity and certainty all parties should agree to these proposals which have been arrived at independently.

“We also welcome the suggestion that both sides of this debate clarify what will happen after the referendum. The Scottish Labour Party plans to set out before autumn 2014 proposals for how devolution can be developed and extended after Scotland has reaffirmed our place in the United Kingdom in the referendum. I believe it is only right that we set out the process by which such a development of devolution can be achieved after the referendum in which I am confident Scotland will vote to remain in the UK.

“I hope that the Scottish and UK governments, civic Scotland and all interested parties can at least outline how this can be achieved before we go to the polls. The people of Scotland deserve to have as much clarity and certainty in this process as possible.”

Campaign spending limits

As part of the Edinburgh Agreement the Electoral Commission was asked to provide advice on the spending limits for the referendum campaign.

In deciding what advice to give the Commission has applied its established principles for well-run referendums, taking into account the specific circumstances of this referendum, including the Edinburgh Agreement and information we now have about the likely shape and scale of campaigning.

The Commission invited views from campaigners and political parties on what the limits should be, and has considered what campaigners will need in order to put their arguments to voters.

John McCormick, Electoral Commissioner for Scotland said: “The campaign spending limits we have recommended are designed to ensure there are no barriers to voters hearing from campaigners in what will be a historic vote for the people of Scotland.

“We have listened carefully to the views of the Scottish Government and to campaigners, and have set out proposals based on our principles that spending limits should allow effective campaigning for all outcomes, deter excessive spending and encourage transparency.”

The Electoral Commission recommends that campaign spending limits for the independence referendum should be:

Designated lead campaigners: £1,500,000

Political parties represented in the Scottish Parliament:

Scottish National Party: £1,344,000
Scottish Labour: £834,000
Scottish Conservative & Unionist Party: £396,000
Scottish Liberal Democrats: £201,000
Scottish Green Party: £150,000

Other registered campaigners: £150,000

Threshold for registration: £10,000

Poem: Poverty and Protest

Poverty and protest go hand and hand

Fighting for a better land

Working class people taking a stand

Against the injustices

Since time began

Porteous Riots at Edinburgh’s gates

This unjust man knew his fate

When he shot these people down

The riots started throughout the town

Look through history you will find

Protests were on people’s minds

The right to have their voices heard

Was what these people so deserved

Throughout the ages we can see

The right to speak was not to be

So the protest did begin to start

To demonstrate came from the heart

Of people who were tired and weary

Of poverty oppression and desperation

So they gathered to mount a demonstration

This was done in many ways through songs and plays

People gathered information through thinkers of their generations

Playwriters Poets Artists Trade Unionists Socialist all

Gathered together to hear the call

Of people who were so unhappy starving homeless

Made them fight which leaders called unrest

Polictians make promises for votes

Once elected they are all forgot

Activists present charters with good intentions

City fathers leading them on

Promises broken What has gone wrong ?

Trade Unions now have no say

Thatcher took all their rights away

She crushed communities even took our childrens milk

Riots on street this women caused

With her unjust brutal laws

Poll tax she tried to impose the Scottish nation angerley rose

To fight the cuts we brought her down

No longer for her to rule with an iron hand

She killed our nation throughout the land

Future governments once elected

Did not repeal the Acts she created

Broken promises once again

When will this torture end ?

Now there will be a referendum for independance

Political parties running scared incase Scotland vote YES

They tell us we are “BETTER TOGETHER ” people know what is best

Scottish people will decide no more Broken promises Unjust cuts

Welfare reforms Prices rising .

No jobs to see beyond the horizon

For our youths there is no future

People shivering in the winter

For many it is heat or eat

Poverty rising at an alarming rate

Homeless people have no hope

This present government is a joke

“BETTER TOGETHER ” ? Better for who ?

Polititians not me or you

Now they are trying to gather the masses

For what ? I believe to save their own asses

Scotland should show the way

Vote differently have your say

Remember all the broken promises

Remember all this on referendum day.

Anna Hutchison (by email)

Deal struck for single question referendum?

There is speculation that the Scottish and Westminster governments have reached a deal over the independence question. Following months of negotiations it appears that the Scottish people will now vote in a one-question referendum – a straight yes or no – other than a ballot paper that contains another – increased powers for Holyrood or ‘devo-max’ – option.

It also seems that likely that sixteen and seventeen year olds will have the right to vote in the independence referendum, scheduled to be held in autumn 2014.

Further details will be announced when Prime Minister David Cameron meets Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond at the Scottish Parliament in Holyrood next Monday.

Should sixteen and seventeen year olds have the right to vote? Let us know!