Scottish independence referendum, 2014: Difference between revisions
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The '''[[Scottish independence]] [[referendum]] of 2014''' is a planned ballot on the question of whether [[Scotland]] should leave the [[United Kingdom]] and become a separate [[country]]. Any resident of Scotland who will be over 16 years of age, a [[citizen]] of the [[Commonwealth of Nations|Commonwealth]] or [[European Union]] (EU) and enrolled on a local [[electoral register]] is eligible to participate on 18th September 2014. The referendum has been an [[election]] pledge of the [[Scottish National Party]] (SNP), which has [[Government of Scotland|governed Scotland]] since 2011 and supports independence, as does the [[Scottish Green Party]]. The other main Scottish [[political party|parties]] - [[Scottish Labour Party|Labour]], the [[Scottish Conservative Party|Conservatives]] and the [[Scottish Liberal Democrats|Liberal Democrats]] - oppose independence but accept or promote [[devolution|devolved]] government, a process which began with the establishment of the [[Scottish Parliament]] in 1999. | The '''[[Scottish independence]] [[referendum]] of 2014''' is a planned ballot on the question of whether [[Scotland]] should leave the [[United Kingdom]] and become a separate [[country]]. Any resident of Scotland who will be over 16 years of age, a [[citizen]] of the [[Commonwealth of Nations|Commonwealth]] or [[European Union]] (EU) and enrolled on a local [[electoral register]] is eligible to participate on 18th September 2014. The referendum has been an [[election]] pledge of the [[Scottish National Party]] (SNP), which has [[Government of Scotland|governed Scotland]] since 2011 and supports independence, as does the [[Scottish Green Party]]. The other main Scottish [[political party|parties]] - [[Scottish Labour Party|Labour]], the [[Scottish Conservative Party|Conservatives]] and the [[Scottish Liberal Democrats|Liberal Democrats]] - oppose independence but accept or promote [[devolution|devolved]] government, a process which began with the establishment of the [[Scottish Parliament]] in 1999. | ||
The referendum will consist of a single question: "''Should Scotland be an independent country?''"<ref>''Scottish Government'': '[http://www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/2013/01/electoral-commission-report30012013 Government accepts all Electoral Commission recommendations]'. 30th January 2013.</ref> Major issues that have emerged during the campaign include the status of the UK's [[Pound sterling|sterling]] [[currency]], which the SNP plans to continue in use after independence,<ref>''BBC News'': '[http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-25088251 Scottish independence: Referendum White Paper unveiled]'. 26th November 2013.</ref> and whether Scotland would be ejected from the European Union on departure.<ref>''BBC News'': '[http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-25138254 Scottish independence: Alex Salmond rejects EU membership fears]'. 28th November 2013.</ref> The two issues are linked because, under EU rules, new applications must also agree to join the [[euro]] currency. | The referendum will consist of a single question: "''Should Scotland be an independent country?''"<ref>''Scottish Government'': '[http://www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/2013/01/electoral-commission-report30012013 Government accepts all Electoral Commission recommendations]'. 30th January 2013.</ref> Major issues that have emerged during the campaign include the status of the UK's [[Pound sterling|sterling]] [[currency]], which the SNP plans to continue in use after independence,<ref>''BBC News'': '[http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-25088251 Scottish independence: Referendum White Paper unveiled]'. 26th November 2013.</ref> and whether Scotland would be ejected from the European Union on departure.<ref>''BBC News'': '[http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-25138254 Scottish independence: Alex Salmond rejects EU membership fears]'. 28th November 2013.</ref> The two issues are linked because, under EU rules, new applications must also agree to join the [[euro]] currency. The UK parties have ruled out a sterling 'currency union' in which the UK would share the pound with an independent Scotland; in response, the SNP has said that the new country would not shoulder its share of UK [[public debt|national debt]].<ref>''BBC News'': '[http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-28943041 Scottish independence: John Swinney says 'No currency, no debt']'. 26th August 2014.</ref> | ||
==Footnotes== | ==Footnotes== | ||
{{reflist|2}} | {{reflist|2}} | ||
Revision as of 10:44, 2 September 2014
The Scottish independence referendum of 2014 is a planned ballot on the question of whether Scotland should leave the United Kingdom and become a separate country. Any resident of Scotland who will be over 16 years of age, a citizen of the Commonwealth or European Union (EU) and enrolled on a local electoral register is eligible to participate on 18th September 2014. The referendum has been an election pledge of the Scottish National Party (SNP), which has governed Scotland since 2011 and supports independence, as does the Scottish Green Party. The other main Scottish parties - Labour, the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats - oppose independence but accept or promote devolved government, a process which began with the establishment of the Scottish Parliament in 1999.
The referendum will consist of a single question: "Should Scotland be an independent country?"[1] Major issues that have emerged during the campaign include the status of the UK's sterling currency, which the SNP plans to continue in use after independence,[2] and whether Scotland would be ejected from the European Union on departure.[3] The two issues are linked because, under EU rules, new applications must also agree to join the euro currency. The UK parties have ruled out a sterling 'currency union' in which the UK would share the pound with an independent Scotland; in response, the SNP has said that the new country would not shoulder its share of UK national debt.[4]
Footnotes
- ↑ Scottish Government: 'Government accepts all Electoral Commission recommendations'. 30th January 2013.
- ↑ BBC News: 'Scottish independence: Referendum White Paper unveiled'. 26th November 2013.
- ↑ BBC News: 'Scottish independence: Alex Salmond rejects EU membership fears'. 28th November 2013.
- ↑ BBC News: 'Scottish independence: John Swinney says 'No currency, no debt''. 26th August 2014.