The Scottish government has published its draft independence referendum bill, setting out the details of the proposed question and who would be allowed to vote. The short document has been released ahead of the first minister setting out his legislative plans for the year on Tuesday. John Swinney called on the UK government to "respect the voice of the Scottish people and parliament and transfer the necessary powers" in order to hold the vote.
Since 2014 successive UK governments have opposed any further referendums and Downing Street recently said a fresh poll was "off limits". The Scotland Office has been approached for comment. Burnham tells Swinney independence is 'off limits' at Commonwealth Games meeting Scotland previously voted against becoming an independent country by 55% to 45%.
In 2022 the UK Supreme Court ruled that any further vote would require the agreement of the UK government. The proposed ballot paper for a second referendum would ask: "Should Scotland be an independent country?" and voters would mark an "X" against options Yes or No. The draft bill would be introduced into parliament if the Scottish government secured approval from the UK government.
The document would include a date for the referendum once it was put before Holyrood. The SNP had promised to publish the draft legislation in their first 100 days in government after the Scottish election in May. Swinney said: "The world has changed fundamentally since 2014.
So has the UK, and so has Scotland. The Scottish people are ready. It is time the UK government delivered." The first minister said he would have "more to say about Scotland's constitutional future in the coming weeks".
He added: "Fundamentally, nobody will take better decisions about Scotland's future than the people who live here. "That future belongs to the people of Scotland - and no-one else." In line with current legislation, registered voters over the age of 16, as well as qualifying foreign nationals, would be able to vote in a second referendum. Earlier this year, Professor Sir John Curtice of Strathclyde University said Scotland remained "more or less divided down the middle on the subject".
Extract — continue reading at the source.
