YOUR SCOTLAND, YOUR REFERENDUM

Consultation, January 2012

The Scottish Government, Edinburgh, 2012

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First published by The Scottish Government, January 2012, ISBN: 978-1-78045-633-1

Kindle (Mobi) published by The Scottish Government March 2012, ISBN: 978-1-78045-703-1

The Scottish Government
St Andrew’s House
Edinburgh
EH1 3DG

Produced for the Scottish Government by APS Group Scotland

DPPAS12506 (01/12)

Published by the Scottish Government, March 2012

Contents

Foreword
Summary
Chapter 1 Introduction
Chapter 2 Mechanics of the Referendum
Chapter 3 Campaign Rules
Chapter 4 After the Referendum
Chapter 5 How to Comment
Chapter 6 Consultation Questionnaire
Footnotes

Foreword

The people who live in Scotland are the best people to make decisions about Scotland's future. They gave the Scottish Government an overwhelming majority in May 2011 because of a record of good government, a clear vision of the future and the promise of a referendum on independence.

The referendum will be held in autumn 2014 in the same way as any Scottish election, to the same standards and with the same guarantee of fairness. We will decide our future in a vote which is beyond challenge or doubt.

This consultation paper seeks views on what the ballot paper should say, what spending limits should be set on campaign groups and how the referendum should be managed and regulated. It sets out the timetable for parliamentary and public debate which will ensure that the Scottish people are able to take an informed decision about their future.

Voting day will be just like any other election. The people will go to local polling stations, mark the ballot paper and later the result will be declared. If the people vote yes, the Scottish Government would negotiate with the UK and move to secure the transfer of sovereignty and powers to the people of Scotland.

Much of what Scotland will be like the day after independence will be similar to the day before: people will go to work, pensions and benefits will be collected, children will go out to play and life will be as normal. What independence will mean is that decisions about what happens in Scotland and for Scotland are taken by the people who care most about Scotland - that is the people living, working and bringing up their families in Scotland. The people of Scotland will be in charge. Our future, our resources, our opportunities will be in our hands.

Ours is a lucky nation, blessed with natural resources, bright people and a united society. We have an independent education system, legal system and NHS. They are respected worldwide. I believe that if we connect the wealth of our land to the well-being of our people, we can create a better country.

Scotland is not oppressed and we have no need to be liberated. Independence matters because we do not have the powers to reach our potential. We are limited in what we can do to create jobs, grow the economy and help the vulnerable. We shouldn't have a constitution which constrains us, but one which frees us to build a better society. Our politics should be judged on the health of our people, the welfare of young and old and the strength of our economy.

Under independence Scotland would take its place as a responsible member of the international community while continuing as a friend and good neighbour to the other nations of these islands, continuing the strong social union which will always bind us together.

We take this journey at a time of great change in the world. Environmental, financial and geo-political factors are in flux. It is our duty to create a modern nation that is fit for these new times, flexible and dynamic. We must renew democracy and strike a new bond between government and the people based on trust and humility. That duty amounts to creating a stable society with dependable welfare structures which is open in outlook and responsible in conduct.

This is a peaceful and inclusive quest to find the system of government that best suits the needs of the people of Scotland and which will bring fairness and prosperity to us and our children.

It is our future and our choice.

The Rt Hon. Alex Salmond MSP
First Minister of Scotland

Summary

The people who live in Scotland are the best people to make decisions about Scotland's future. The independence referendum will be Scotland's most important decision for 300 years. Under independence, Scotland would have the rights and responsibilities of a normal, sovereign state and continue its membership in the European Union. Scotland would forge a new partnership with the rest of the former United Kingdom where the nations co-operate on shared interests. Some things would stay the same and others would change. Her Majesty The Queen would remain as Head of State. The Scottish Parliament would gain full responsibility for governing Scotland. The ability to make choices about how the country is governed would lie with those who care most about Scotland.

The referendum must be trusted and clear. This paper sets out the Scottish Government's proposals for the question to be asked and the rules governing the campaign and the vote. Those are based on the rules in place for normal elections. They are designed to ensure that the referendum will meet the highest standards of fairness, transparency and propriety and deliver a decisive result.

In developing the referendum, the Scottish Government will listen to society as a whole. The referendum will be conducted in the interests of the people who live in Scotland, not those of any individual or party.

This consultation paper invites views on the proposals for how the referendum will be run. A draft Referendum Bill is set out as an appendix to the document. The Scottish Government will publish the contributions it receives (except where respondents request anonymity) and use them to inform the further development of the Bill before it is debated in the Scottish Parliament during 2013. The referendum will be held in the autumn of 2014.

This timetable is set out in Chapter 1. It will allow for full public and parliamentary consideration of the proposals. It will ensure compliance with the Gould Report into the 2007 Scottish elections. Gould recommended that the regulations governing a poll should be in place at least six months before polling day. The timetable will also avoid clashes with major international sporting events in Scotland, such as the Commonwealth Games.

Chapter 1 introduces the principles on which the referendum will be conducted and sets out a proposed ballot paper with the following question:

Do you agree that Scotland should be an independent country?

In developing the ballot paper and other aspects of the referendum process further, the Scottish Government will take advice from electoral professionals (returning officers and registration officers), the Electoral Commission and independent experts.

A wide range of opinion has been expressed about whether or not the Scottish Parliament has the power to hold a referendum consulting the Scottish people about independence. The Scottish Government has previously published a referendum question asking whether the powers of the Scottish Parliament should be extended to enable independence to be achieved. That question was carefully phrased to comply with the requirements of the Scotland Act 1998. Much independent legal opinion supports the Scottish Government's view.

What is beyond any question is the ability of the Scottish Parliament to legislate for a referendum about changes to the powers of the Scottish Parliament within the framework of devolution. Legislation to hold a referendum on "devolution max", for example, is clearly within the existing powers of the Scottish Parliament.

The Scottish Government's preference is for a short, direct question about independence as set out above. The UK Government has made public its view that legislation providing for a referendum on independence, even an advisory one, would be outside the existing powers of the Scottish Parliament. As outlined above, the Scottish Government contends that there are suitable questions which are entirely within the legislative competence of the Scottish Parliament. The Scottish Government is nevertheless ready to work with the UK Government to remove their doubts about the competence of the Scottish Parliament and put the referendum effectively beyond legal challenge by the UK Government or any other party.

Whichever legislative approach were taken, any change to the definition of the Scottish Parliament's competence would require the consent of the Scottish Parliament as well as the UK Parliament and should be made without conditions. The Scottish Government's electoral mandate to hold a referendum is clear. It is for the Scottish Government to propose to the Scottish Parliament the timing and terms of the referendum and the rules under which it is to be conducted. The Scottish Parliament should decide these matters.

A principle underpinning the referendum is that of informed choice. The Scottish Government will ensure that voters have the information they need to participate in the national debate and to make an informed decision. Following Royal Assent to the Referendum Bill (expected in November 2013) the Scottish Government will publish a comprehensive white paper setting out full details of the offer to the people of Scotland.

In line with established practice for elections, restrictions will apply to publicity by the Scottish Government and public bodies in the run-up to the referendum. The Scottish Government would expect the UK Government and UK public bodies to commit in advance to comply with the same restrictions. Scottish and UK Ministers will, of course, be able to play a full part in the referendum campaign in an individual capacity or as members of campaign organisations.

While the Scottish Government's preferred policy is independence, it recognises that there is considerable support across Scotland for increased responsibilities for the Scottish Parliament short of independence. One option, full devolution (or "devolution max") was set out in some detail in the Scottish Government white paper Your Scotland, Your Voice published in 2009[1]. The Scottish Government has consistently made it clear in that paper and its 2010 consultation paper on a draft referendum Bill[2] that it is willing to include a question on further devolution in the referendum. That remains the Scottish Government's position. It will listen carefully to the views and arguments put forward on this issue in response to this consultation.

Chapter 2 covers the management and regulation of the referendum and the franchise.

The referendum will be administered using the same arrangements as local and parliamentary elections in Scotland, making use of Scotland's unique electoral management structure, co-ordinated by the Electoral Management Board. The poll and the count will be managed in the same way as those for elections, by local returning officers (designated for the referendum as "counting officers") directed by a Chief Counting Officer (CCO) who will be responsible for ensuring the proper and effective conduct of the referendum. Returning officers, electoral registration officers and their staff will be responsible for managing the registration, poll and count processes within their local areas. The detailed rules about the conduct of the poll will be based on those applying to the conduct of all elections in Scotland.

The regulation and monitoring of the referendum campaign will be undertaken by the Electoral Commission which will also issue a range of guidance. The Commission will also report on the referendum process after it has been completed. In its responsibilities for this referendum the Commission will report to the Scottish Parliament.

In line with international best practice, the franchise for the referendum on Scotland's constitutional future will reflect residency in Scotland. Eligibility to vote will be the same as for Scottish Parliament and local government elections and for the 1997 referendum on devolution. The Scottish Government also proposes to extend the franchise to include those 16 and 17 year olds who are on the electoral register on the day of the poll.

A detailed financial memorandum will be provided to the Scottish Parliament in the usual way when the referendum legislation is introduced. The total cost is likely to be around £10 million, the bulk of which will be spent on running the poll and the count. This cost is broadly in line with the cost (per voter) of the Welsh Assembly and AV Referendums in 2011.

Chapter 3 describes the rules which will be in place to ensure that the referendum campaign is run in a fair and transparent manner.

The rules are based on UK legislation (the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000), although the proposed spending limits have been tailored to reflect the context of a Scottish referendum on independence. It is essential that the rules are followed and policed. The Scottish Government proposes that the Electoral Commission should take on this role and, in doing so, report to the Scottish Parliament.

An individual or organisation wishing to spend more than £5,000 on campaigning for a particular outcome will need to register with the Commission as a permitted participant. A permitted participant may apply to the Commission to be the principal campaigner (the designated organisation) for an outcome in the referendum. The draft Referendum Bill sets out the following spending limits:

Type of Organisation

Proposed Spending Limit

Designated Organisation

£750,000

Political Party in Scottish Parliament

£250,000

Other Permitted Participants

£50,000

Individuals/Bodies, Not Permitted Participants

£5,000

No public funding will be provided for those who wish to campaign.

Chapter 4 summarises what would follow a vote for independence in the referendum.

The Scottish Government would open negotiations with the UK Government. The negotiations would deal with the terms of independence as well as the transfer of powers and transition. There would also be agreement on areas of common interest. A transitional period would allow the necessary preparations to ensure that an independent Scottish Parliament and Government could fulfil the full range of their responsibilities from the moment of independence.

Following that process the final requirement for independence to have effect would be for both the Scottish and UK Parliaments to pass independence legislation to enact the negotiated settlement. In particular, the legislation would give effect to the transfer of the power to legislate for Scotland from the UK Parliament to the Scottish Parliament, and would define the effective date of Scotland's re-establishment as an independent, sovereign state.

Chapter 5 explains how to respond to the consultation.

The deadline for responses is Friday 11 May 2012.

Chapter 1 Introduction

Chapter Summary

- The referendum will be held in the Autumn of 2014. The timetable allows for full public and parliamentary consideration of the referendum proposals and legislation and allows a proper interval between the finalisation of the rules and polling day.

- A draft Referendum Bill is set out in the appendix to this consultation paper. As drafted it provides for a single-question referendum on independence. The Scottish Government is willing to include an additional question on further substantial devolution if there is sufficient support for such a move.

- The Scottish Government is ready to work with the UK Government to agree a clarification of the Scotland Act 1998 that would remove their doubts about the competence of the Scottish Parliament to legislate for a referendum. Decisions on the timing and form of the referendum and its regulation should be for the Scottish Parliament.

1.1 The Scottish Government was re-elected in 2011 with a mandate to hold a democratic referendum on Scotland's future. This paper is the first step in the process which will lead to the referendum, which will be held in the Autumn of 2014.

1.2 The Scottish Government's vision for the future of Scotland is one where decisions on how it is governed are made in Scotland by the people who care most for the country. An independent Scotland would take its place in the community of nations. Her Majesty The Queen would remain as Head of State. Scotland would have the rights and responsibilities of a normal, sovereign state and continue in membership of the European Union. It would enter a new partnership with the rest of the former United Kingdom where the nations co-operate on shared interests. The Scottish Parliament would gain full responsibility for governing Scotland.

1.3 The decision on Scotland's future should be taken through a process which is beyond reproach. The Scottish Government is committed to a referendum that is conducted to the highest standards of fairness, transparency and propriety. As a step towards achieving that aim, this paper gives people the opportunity to examine and comment on the proposals for the referendum before they are put to the Scottish Parliament. A draft Referendum Bill is set out as an appendix to this consultation paper.

1.4 The proposals in this paper build on those in the Scottish Government's consultation paper Scotland's Future published in February 2010 and take account of the responses which were received to that[3].

Powers of the Scottish Parliament to legislate for a referendum

1.5 A wide range of opinion has been expressed about whether or not the Scottish Parliament has the power to hold a referendum consulting the Scottish people about independence. The Scottish Government's February 2010 paper set out a referendum question asking whether the powers of the Scottish Parliament should be extended to enable independence to be achieved. The Scottish Parliament has the power to legislate for a referendum as long as that would not change any reserved law or relate to those aspects of the constitution which are reserved by the Scotland Act 1998. The referendum question proposed in 2010 was carefully phrased to comply with that requirement. Much independent legal opinion supports the Scottish Government's view.

1.6 What is not in question is the competence of the Scottish Parliament to legislate for a referendum about changes to the powers of the Scottish Parliament within the framework of devolution. Legislation to hold a referendum on "devolution max" for example (see paragraph 1.25 below), is clearly within the existing powers of the Scottish Parliament.

1.7 In a paper published on 10 January 2012 the UK Government stated its view that legislation providing for a referendum on independence - even on the basis proposed by the Scottish Government in 2010 - would be outside the existing powers of the Scottish Parliament[4]. The UK paper sets out two possible mechanisms to transfer the power to hold a referendum on independence: an Order in Council under Section 30 of the Scotland Act 1998, or an amendment to the Scotland Bill currently under consideration by the House of Lords. The UK paper goes on to seek views on a series of proposed conditions for the transfer of power, including a role for the Electoral Commission and limits on the timing, on the franchise (to exclude 16 and 17 year olds) and on the number of questions to be asked. It also seeks views on whether, as an alternative to the proposed transfer of power, the UK Parliament should itself legislate directly for a referendum.

1.8 The Scottish Government's preference is for a short, direct question about independence as set out in paragraph 1.10 below. It is ready to work with the UK Government to agree a clarification of the Scotland Act 1998 that would remove their doubts about the competence of the Scottish Parliament and put the referendum effectively beyond legal challenge by the UK Government or any other party. Its preference is for a Section 30 order, but whichever legislative approach were taken, any change to the definition of the Scottish Parliament's competence would require the consent of the Scottish Parliament as well as the UK Parliament[5].

1.9 The Scottish Government does not accept the proposed imposition of conditions on the Section 30 order. The Scottish Government's mandate to hold a referendum is clear and the UK Government has denied any wish to put obstacles in the way[6]. As a matter of democratic principle it is for the Scottish Parliament to decide on the timing and terms of the referendum and the rules under which it is to be conducted.

Ballot paper

1.10 A proposed ballot paper is set out below for comment. It has been designed to comply with the Electoral Commission's guidelines which state that referendum questions should present the options clearly, simply and neutrally[7]. In line with a recommendation of the Gould Report[8] into the problems experienced by the Scottish elections in 2007 the design of the referendum ballot paper will be subject to testing using a sample of voters. The Scottish Government will also seek advice on this and other aspects of the referendum from electoral professionals (returning officers and registration officers) through the Electoral Management Board for Scotland, from the Electoral Commission and from a panel of independent expert advisers.

1.11 Any changes to Scotland's position within the United Kingdom will require negotiation with the UK Government and legislation in the UK and Scottish Parliaments. However, the Scottish Government would expect the UK and Scottish Parliaments and the respective Governments to listen to the views of the people of Scotland.

1.12 An adjustment of legislative competence under Section 30 of the Scotland Act 1998 would enable the Scottish Parliament to legislate for a referendum on the basis set out above. If the UK Government is unwilling to agree to such an adjustment without dictating unacceptable conditions, the Scottish Government will have the option of a referendum on the basis set out in paragraph 1.5.

QUESTION 1:

What are your views on the referendum question and the design of the ballot paper?

Informed choice

1.13 The choice which the Scottish electorate makes on the future of the country must be based on complete and clear information, following a full and informed debate.

1.14 The Scottish Government published a series of documents during the 2007-2011 parliamentary session which set out options for Scotland's constitutional future and the opportunities which further devolution and independence could create. Your Scotland, Your Voice[9], published on St Andrew's Day 2009, built on the two-year National Conversation on the future of Scotland. It provided examples and explanation of how more powers and responsibilities for the Scottish Parliament could allow Scotland to do things differently and better. The Scottish Government will ensure that voters have the information they need to participate in the national debate and to make an informed decision in the referendum.

1.15 As part of the process the Scottish Government will set out full details of the offer to the people of Scotland in a comprehensive white paper on independence. This will be published following Royal Assent to the Referendum Bill, expected in November 2013 (see timetable following paragraph 1.24). To ensure that voters are fully informed about the proposals, a factual information leaflet about the process of the referendum will be sent to every household. This was exactly the approach taken by the UK Government in the lead-up to the 1997 referendum about the Scottish Parliament. Comprehensive factual information will also be made available on the Internet. This information will be distinct from material produced by those campaigning for a particular outcome in the referendum.

1.16 There will be a role, described in Chapter 2 of this paper, for the Electoral Commission and the Chief Counting Officer and local counting officers in distributing information about the need to register to vote and the process of voting in the referendum. Provision of such guidance to voters is usual ahead of elections. It will not refer to the arguments on either side of the referendum.

1.17 The Scottish Government's aim is that the campaign should be fair. Although the Scottish Government has a clear preferred outcome, as did the then UK Government in the 1997 referendum, there should be no undue government influence on the campaign itself. The draft Bill therefore provides that, for the 28-day period before the referendum, the Scottish Ministers and certain public authorities in Scotland cannot publish any material providing general information about the referendum, dealing with issues raised by the questions to be voted on in the referendum, putting any arguments for or against a particular answer to the question to be voted on, or which is designed to encourage voting in the referendum. This mirrors the requirements for referendums held under the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 (PPERA) and the arrangements which apply to parliamentary elections. Government Ministers will, of course, be able to play their part in the campaign in an individual capacity or as members of campaign organisations.

1.18 The Scottish Government expects the UK Government and UK public bodies to commit in advance to respect the same limitation. In the context of the referendum, the purpose of this restriction is to ensure a level playing field for the two sides of the argument. Any restriction on Scottish Government publications would not achieve this aim if it was not matched by a similar restriction on the UK Government.

1.19 It will also be important to ensure fairness and an impartial approach to media coverage (including any referendum campaign broadcasts). The Scottish Government will work with broadcasters and other media and the Electoral Commission in this important area. Due weight will need to be given to the designated campaign organisations in coverage during the referendum period although broadcasters will also need to consider giving appropriate coverage to other permitted participants with significant views and perspectives.

1.20 There are established procedures for ensuring an acceptable approach for elections in relation to the coverage given to political parties. Different considerations will apply in a referendum where there are two competing outcomes which will need to be treated fairly and impartially although there may be numerous parties and other groups or individuals campaigning for these outcomes.

A simple majority

1.21 The referendum will not be subject to any minimum turnout requirement or approval threshold where approval is required by a minimum percentage of registered voters. It is well established in the UK[10] and across Western Europe[11] that referendums should be decided by those who choose to vote on a simple majority basis. The 1997 Scottish devolution referendum was conducted on that basis.

1.22 The Venice Commission's 2005 report Referendums in Europe - An Analysis of the Legal Rules in European States notes that most European states do not set thresholds for referendums - either in terms of participation or approval - that have to be exceeded for referendum results to be valid. In 2006 the Venice Commission published a voluntary Code of Good Practice for Referendums setting out the views of this Council of Europe Commission on best practice for referendums. Article 7 of the Code states that minimum turnout requirements and abnormal majority thresholds are not advisable. In the Scottish Government's view this is the correct approach.

Timetable

1.23 The Scottish Government has been consistent and clear on the matter of timescales. In line with commitments made during the 2011 election campaign, the Scottish Government will bring forward the Referendum Bill in time for the referendum to be held in the second half of the current session of the Scottish Parliament. Simple good sense, and a respect for due process, all point to the Autumn of 2014 as being the right time for the referendum. That will ensure that there is sufficient time for the fullest debate on what will be the most important decision in Scotland in 300 years.

1.24 The timetable between now and Autumn 2014 is shown in the table which follows. The timetable will allow full Parliamentary and public consideration. It will also meet the Gould recommendation that electoral contests should not take place within six months of the regulations for the contest coming into force. That recommendation was designed to ensure that those charged with organising and managing the poll had sufficient time to do so. It will also avoid clashes with major international sporting events in Scotland.

Public consultation on draft Referendum Bill begins

25 January 2012

Local Government elections

3 May 2012

Close of consultation period

11 May 2012

Analysis of consultation responses

Summer 2012

Practical preparations including testing of the ballot paper

Autumn/Winter 2012

Scottish Government Legislative Programme Statement

Autumn 2012

Finalisation of Referendum Bill and development of implementation plan

Autumn/Winter 2012

Introduction of Referendum Bill to Scottish Parliament

Early 2013

Parliamentary consideration of the Bill: Stages 1 and 2 (including committee consideration and public evidence sessions)

Early to mid 2013

Summer Recess

July to August 2013

Referendum Bill passed after Stage 3

October 2013

Royal Assent to the Referendum Bill

November 2013

Publication of White Paper on Independence

November 2013

European Elections

June 2014

Commonwealth Games

July 2014

Start of regulated period (see Chapter 3)

Summer 2014 (16 weeks before referendum)

Pre-referendum period (no Government publications etc)

(28 days before referendum)

Referendum

Autumn 2014

QUESTION 2:

What are your views on the proposed timetable and voting arrangements?

Possible inclusion of a second question

1.25 While the Scottish Government's preferred policy is independence, it recognises that there is support across Scotland - from individuals and organisations - for increased responsibilities for the Scottish Parliament short of independence. One option, full devolution (or "devolution max") was set out in some detail in Your Scotland, Your Voice and associated, more detailed publications (see paragraph 1.14). Under this option, the Scottish Parliament would, with certain exceptions, be responsible for all laws, taxes and duties in Scotland. The main exceptions, which would continue to be the responsibility of the UK Parliament, would include defence and foreign affairs, financial regulation, monetary policy and the currency. Short of independence, this option would confer significant economic powers on the Scottish Parliament.

1.26 The Scottish Government has consistently made it clear that it is willing to include a question on further substantial devolution in the referendum. The UK Government's January 2012 consultation paper seeks views on this matter[12]. The Scottish Government's position remains that it is willing to include a question about further devolution on the lines of "devolution max" if there is sufficient support for such a move. In designing a referendum on this basis the Scottish Government would take expert advice. However, it notes that a two-question referendum was held successfully in 1997 prior to the establishment of the Scottish Parliament and there are other examples internationally[13].

QUESTION 3:

What are your views on the inclusion of a second question in the referendum and the voting system that could be used?

Chapter 2 Mechanics of the Referendum

Chapter Summary

- The proposals for the management and regulation of the referendum are intended to reflect what happens for local and parliamentary elections in Scotland. They make use of Scotland's unique electoral management structure, co-ordinated by the Electoral Management Board.

- The proposed split of responsibilities is as follows:

- the poll and the count will be managed in the same way as those for elections, by local returning officers (designated for the referendum as "counting officers") directed by a Chief Counting Officer

- regulation of the referendum campaign, and reporting on the referendum process, will be the responsibility of the Electoral Commission. In this role the Electoral Commission will report to the Scottish Parliament.

- Eligibility to vote will be the same as for Scottish Parliament and local government elections and for the 1997 referendum on devolution, with the exception that the vote will be extended to 16 and 17 year olds who are eligible to be on the electoral register on the day of the poll.

- The total cost of the referendum is likely to be around £10 million. This cost is broadly in line with the cost (per voter) of the Welsh Assembly and AV Referendums in 2011.

Management of elections in Scotland

2.1 The Scottish Government's proposals for the operational management and regulation of the referendum take account of recent reforms taken forward by the Scottish Parliament. Uniquely, within the UK, the activities of returning and registration officers for Scottish local elections are now co-ordinated by a statutory Electoral Management Board (EMB) for Scotland. The EMB was established in 2009 in response to one of the key findings of the Gould Report that there needed to be a more formal structure to provide greater co-ordination of the administration of elections in Scotland. The Scottish Government has worked closely with electoral professionals, the Electoral Commission and others to develop the Board. The Local Electoral Administration (Scotland) Act 2011 established the Board in statute and gave the Convener of the Board a power of direction over local returning officers. The Electoral Commission report into the Scottish Parliament elections in 2011 concluded that the EMB had added value to the planning and delivery of elections in Scotland and built upon the positive support it enjoys among the various stakeholders in the electoral community. The Commission welcomed the decision to establish the EMB for local elections and noted that, although only given statutory authority for its work in relation to local government elections, the improved working practices, etc. that the Board would develop for this work would be likely to spread to its work in relation to other elections. The Electoral Commission concluded that the Board and the appointment of a Convener with power of direction was a welcome development for electoral administrators in the future.

Management of the referendum

2.2 In the Scottish Government's view, the arrangements which are now in place for the management of local elections in Scotland provide a sound approach which should be followed for the referendum. Accordingly, it proposes that the poll and the count will be managed in the same way as those for elections, by the returning officer (designated for the referendum as "counting officers") for each of Scotland's 32 local government areas under the overall direction of a Chief Counting Officer. Further detail is set out in paragraphs 2.5 to 2.7.

Regulation and oversight

2.3 The Scottish Government's February 2010 consultation paper proposed the establishment of a Scottish Referendum Commission (SRC) to oversee and report on the referendum and regulate campaign expenditure. The proposed commission was based on the model of the Electoral Commission, but would have reported on its activities and the discharge of its statutory functions to the Scottish Parliament rather than to Westminster. Since then, the Electoral Commission has overseen the Welsh Assembly and AV Referendums held in March and May 2011 respectively[14]. In the light of that experience and the fact that the Scottish Parliament has since legislated to give the Electoral Commission a role in supervising the devolved Scottish local government elections[15], the Scottish Government now proposes that the referendum should be regulated by the Electoral Commission rather than a specially established commission. Crucially, the Electoral Commission will be responsible to the Scottish Parliament for the role that it will play. Further detail of the role is set out in paragraphs 2.7 and 2.8 below.

2.4 The division of responsibilities outlined above mirrors precisely the system established for elections in Scotland in response to the Gould Report. Under that, guidance and regulatory functions are for the Electoral Commission while the operational role is for returning officers, electoral registration officers and their staff. In deciding on this approach the Scottish Government has also had regard to the July 2011 report of the Association of Electoral Administrators into the administration of the referendums and elections across the UK in 2011. That noted that concerns had been expressed about the role placed upon the the Electoral Commission for referendums held under the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 (PPERA). Under PPERA the Electoral Commission has responsibility both for organising referendums and for their regulation and monitoring[16]. For the AV Referendum, for example, the Chief Executive of the Commission was appointed Chief Counting Officer with the power of direction over local counting officers, but the Commission was also required to undertake a full range of monitoring and regulatory functions. The Scottish Government considers that it is preferable to avoid the potential tensions inherent in combining the organisational and supervisory roles.

The conduct of the poll and the count

2.5 The draft Bill provides for the appointment of a Chief Counting Officer (CCO) who will be responsible for ensuring the proper and effective conduct of the referendum, including the conduct of the poll and the counting of the votes. The CCO will have a power of direction over local counting officers. The CCO is likely to be the Convener of the Electoral Management Board. The draft Bill confers a range of functions on the CCO and local counting officers, including:

- making arrangements for the issue of poll cards and to allow for absent or proxy voting

- making arrangements for the designation and management of polling stations and appointing presiding officers and clerks

- publishing notice of the referendum

- ensuring the security of the ballot

- counting the votes and declaring the result. Votes will be counted in each local authority area and reported to the Chief Counting Officer. He or she will make a declaration of the national results after which local counting officers will make "local declarations" of the result for each local government area.

2.6 Votes will be counted by hand in the traditional way. The detailed rules about the conduct of the poll are based on those applying to the conduct of elections. In the time between the publication of this document and the introduction of the Referendum Bill, the Scottish Government will discuss the detailed referendum rules further with the Electoral Management Board and others. In particular, it will work with the Scottish Assessors' Association on the proposals to extend the franchise to those 16 and 17 year olds who are eligible to be on the attainers register (see paragraph 2.15).

QUESTION 4:

What are your views on the proposal to give the Electoral Management Board and its Convener responsibility for the operational management of the referendum?

Role of the Electoral Commission

2.7 The draft bill confers a range of guidance, regulatory and monitoring functions on the Commission:

- publishing guidance for voters

- publishing guidance for counting officers

- publishing guidance for permitted participants

- recording the money spent and donations received by permitted participants and making that information available for public inspection

- observing the conduct of the referendum at polling stations

- observing the conduct of the count

- publishing a report on the conduct and administration of the referendum.

2.8 The Electoral Commission will be expected to take a fair and balanced approach to its activities and to be seen to be operating in this manner. The functions are specified in the Bill in a way which will ensure that the Commission is at no risk of Scottish or UK Government influence in its affairs.

QUESTION 5:

What are your views on the proposed division of roles between the Electoral Management Board and the Electoral Commission?

Turnout

2.9 On 4 June 2010 the Scottish Government and the Scottish Parliament's Local Government and Communities Committee held a joint seminar in the Scottish Parliament on the subject of voter turnout. Over 50 organisations took part in the seminar including the Electoral Commission, COSLA, the Scottish Youth Parliament and the Electoral Reform Society. Those present discussed the possible causes of low turnout in elections and ways to increase the number of people who register and use their votes in elections in Scotland. Among the ideas discussed was the suggestion that elections could be held on a Saturday in order to make it easier for people to vote. Other proposals included voting in places other than the traditional polling stations (shops, libraries or other accessible public buildings) and encouraging the greater use of mobile polling stations. The Scottish Government would welcome views about feasible means to make voting easier.

QUESTION 6:

What are your views on the idea that the referendum could be held on a Saturday or on other ways which would make voting easier?

Eligibility to vote

2.10 As proposed in the Scottish Government's 2010 consultation paper, and following the precedent of the 1997 referendum, eligibility to vote in the referendum will be based on that for Scottish Parliament and Scottish local government elections. The franchise for these elections (which is set out in UK legislation) most closely reflects residency in Scotland and has been chosen for that reason. The choice of this franchise reflects the internationally accepted principle that the franchise for constitutional referendums should be determined by residency and the Scottish Government's view that sovereignty lies with the people of Scotland. The Scottish Government notes that the UK Government has also concluded that this is the most appropriate franchise for the referendum[17].

2.11 The following groups of people will therefore be entitled to vote in the referendum:

- British citizens resident in Scotland

- Commonwealth citizens resident in Scotland

- citizens of the Republic of Ireland and other EU countries resident in Scotland

- members of the House of Lords resident in Scotland

- Service/Crown personnel serving in the UK or overseas in the Armed Forces or with Her Majesty's Government who are registered to vote in Scotland.

Voters aged 16 and 17

2.12 The only difference from the franchise used in 1997 relates to those aged 16 or 17. The Scottish Government's view is that the voting age should be reduced to 16 for all elections. Denying 16 and 17 year olds the vote risks them becoming disengaged from the political process at the very point society expects them to take on rights and responsibilities such as getting married, serving in the Armed Forces or paying tax. Reducing the voting age to 16 would encourage participation by young people in Scotland's democratic processes and would give them a voice on matters that affect them.

2.13 The principle of lowering the voting age enjoys wide support. The Liberal Democrat and Green Parties have expressed support for lowering the voting age for elections, as have major youth organisations. The Labour Party supported a move to allow 16 and 17 year olds to vote in the 2011 referendum on the Alternative Vote. Other countries are also starting to consider this issue. For example, in 2007, Austria became the first member of the European Union to adopt a voting age of 16 for all purposes, and Germany and Switzerland have lowered the voting age in certain elections. Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man also have a voting age of 16.

2.14 Although it is currently outwith the powers of the Scottish Parliament to legislate about the franchise for local and parliamentary elections, the Parliament has already legislated to give the vote for 16 and 17 year olds where it has the power to do so. The Health Boards (Membership and Elections) (Scotland) Act 2009 enabled 16 and 17 year olds to vote in the pilot Health Board elections on 10 June 2010. The Labour, Liberal Democrat and Green Parties all supported these proposals when they were put before the Scottish Parliament. More recently, on 21 December 2011, the Scottish Parliament unanimously passed the Crofting Commission (Elections) (Scotland) Regulations 2011 which enabled those aged 16 or over to vote in elections to the Crofting Commission.

2.15 For the referendum, the Scottish Government is constrained by the fact that the franchise for elections is reserved to Westminster. The electoral register is established and maintained under Westminster legislation. The system currently allows 16 and 17 year olds to apply to be on the register if they will become 18 during the twelve months beginning on 1 December after their application. The draft Bill therefore provides that those 16 and 17 year olds who are eligible to be registered under the existing UK legislation will be able to vote in the referendum.

QUESTION 7:

What are your views on extending the franchise to those aged 16 and 17 years who are eligible to be registered on the electoral register?

Equalities

2.16 The draft Bill is designed so as to ensure equality of opportunity for people in having their say on the constitutional future of Scotland. In particular, it places responsibilities on the CCO and counting officers to make provisions so that as many people as possible have the opportunity to take part. These provisions follow existing legislation and practice for elections.

2.17 The draft Bill includes the following provisions to help people with disabilities to vote:

- if a voter applies to vote with the assistance of someone else on the grounds of blindness, other physical disability or an inability to read, the presiding officer of the polling station must approve the application if he is satisfied that the voter and the companion meet the terms of the legislation

- polling stations are to be accessible to all. This issue will be covered in further detail by guidance issued by the Electoral Commission

- postal voters must be given information about how to obtain guidance for voters in Braille, pictorial format, audible format or in other formats

- each polling station must have a sample copy of the ballot paper in large text for voters who are partially sighted, and a "tactile voting device" for enabling voters who are blind or partially sighted to enable them to vote without the need for assistance

- an enlarged sample copy of the ballot paper must be displayed at every polling station and a translation of the ballot paper into other languages as appropriate.

2.18 In addition, there is a requirement in the draft Bill for the Counting Officer to issue to postal voters information about how to obtain translations into languages other than English of any directions or guidance for voters sent with the ballot paper.

Costs

2.19 A detailed financial memorandum will be provided to the Scottish Parliament when the Referendum legislation is introduced. However, the total cost of the referendum is likely to be around £10 million, the bulk of which will be spent on running the poll and the count. The Electoral Commission report into the Welsh Assembly Referendum in March 2011 put the total cost of the referendum at £5.89 million. The electorate in Scotland is 1.7 times greater than in Wales so a comparable figure for the cost of a referendum in Scotland would be approximately £10 million. The Commission's report into the AV Referendum, while not reporting final costs, suggested the total cost of that referendum could be around £96.2 million.

Chapter 3 Campaign Rules

Chapter Summary

- The draft Bill includes rules to ensure that the referendum campaigns are run in a fair and transparent manner. The rules are based on UK legislation (the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000), although the spending limits have been tailored to reflect the context of a Scottish referendum on independence.

- The Electoral Commission will have responsibility for policing these rules and, in doing so, report to the Scottish Parliament. Any individual or organisation wishing to spend more than £5,000 on campaigning must register with the Commission in order to be a "permitted participant".

- The Scottish Government seeks views on proposed spending limits of £750,000 for the designated lead campaign organisations, £250,000 for each political party represented in the Scottish Parliament and £50,000 for other permitted participants.

- There will be no public funding for campaign organisations.

The need for campaign rules

3.1 The current UK legislation for running a referendum has its origins in the Fifth Report of the Committee on Standards in Public Life. That led to the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 (PPERA). The procedures set out in PPERA apply only to referendums held in consequence of an Act of the UK Parliament and so separate legislation is required for this referendum.

3.2 It is essential that there are rules in place to ensure that the referendum campaigns are run in a fair and open manner. The proposals in the draft Bill are broadly based on the rules set out in PPERA. The aim is to create a level playing field for those involved in campaigning. No political party or organisation should have an unfair advantage over another.

3.3 It is also essential that the campaign rules are followed and policed. The Scottish Government proposes that the Electoral Commission should take on this role as explained in the previous chapter and, in doing so, report to the Scottish Parliament as it now does for its activities in monitoring local elections in Scotland.

Participants in the referendum campaign

3.4 In line with the approach taken in Part 7 of PPERA, the draft Bill provides that any individual or an organisation (including a political party) who wishes to spend more than £5,000 on campaigning will have to notify the Commission that they wish to be a "permitted participant". The purpose of having declared permitted participants is to help to ensure an open process where those who wish to campaign for a particular outcome must register that intention.

3.5 The draft Bill provides that a permitted participant may apply to the Electoral Commission to be the principal campaigner representing one of the outcomes of the referendum. These permitted participants are called "designated organisations". A designated organisation will have a higher campaign spending limit than other permitted participants. In addition, each designated organisation will be entitled to one free mail-shot to every household in Scotland, or to every voter entitled to vote in the referendum, to promote its campaign. Designated organisations will also be entitled to use meeting rooms in schools or other public buildings for public campaign meetings during the four-week period before the referendum is held.

No public funding

3.6 It is not proposed that there should be any grants of public money to those who wish to campaign.

Spending limits for participants in the referendum campaign

3.7 For individuals or bodies that are not permitted participants, PPERA imposes a spending limit of £10,000 as a general restriction for UK-wide referendums. In recognition of the fact that this referendum will take place in Scotland only, the Scottish Government's 2010 consultation suggested that the limit should be scaled down to £3,000. The draft Bill now provides a higher £5,000 limit on the basis that this is the comparable limit for elections to the Scottish Parliament.

3.8 The limits set out in PPERA are for UK-wide referendums, the first of which was that on the Alternative Vote in May 2011. For referendums covering parts of the UK lower limits have been set, Those for the 2004 North East of England referendum were so high as to have no effect (even the Y4NE campaign, which was by far the highest spending campaign, spent only just over half the amount set as its limit). For the Welsh referendum campaign in 2011 the three political parties registered to take part in were allocated spending limits of £666,000, £480,000 and £360,000. The parties spent around £10,000, £10,000 and £7,000 respectively. Twenty other individuals or organisations registered as permitted participants which gave them limits of £100,000 each. Only one organisation spent more than £10,000 (£81,000)[18].

3.9 The Scottish Government considers that the best starting point for the design of spending limits for the referendum are those for Scottish Parliament election campaigns. A party contesting every seat in the Scottish Parliament is subject to a spending limit of about £1.5 million. However, while the referendum will be a national poll, and can therefore be compared with the national element of an election campaign, there will not be local constituency campaigns in respect of any candidates. The Scottish Government proposes that designated organisations should each have a campaign spending limit of £750,000 (i.e. half of the maximum limit for Scottish Parliament elections).

3.10 For referendums held under UK legislation, PPERA permits the largest political parties (those with over 30% of total number of votes cast at the last UK Parliamentary election) to spend the same as the designated organisations. In practice, it is likely that the main political parties will be part of the designated organisations for the referendum. Therefore, while political parties should not be prevented from campaigning outside the designated organisations, the Scottish Government believes there is a case for more restrictive limits on them than the PPERA approach would provide. This would help to ensure that no group dominates the public debate by both being the main part of a designated organisation, whilst also having a large spending limit by virtue of being one of the political parties represented in the Scottish Parliament. The Scottish Government therefore proposes that the registered political parties currently represented in the Scottish Parliament should be limited to a campaign spend of £250,000, in addition to any spending as part of a designated organisation. This would still allow a significant national campaign to be carried out separately from any designated organisation.

3.11 For other permitted participants - groups and political parties which wish to campaign outside of the designated organisations (whether or not they also form part of such an organisation) - the Scottish Government has taken as a starting point the limit set on third-party campaign expenditure at Scottish Parliament elections. This is currently set at £75,800. For the purposes of the referendum, and again in recognition of the lack of any constituency or regional vote for candidates, the Scottish Government proposes a spending limit for such groups of £50,000, two-thirds of the comparable maximum limit for Scottish Parliament elections. While this figure is lower than that for the Welsh referendum the figures in paragraph 3.8 show that those limits were not reached by any of the participants. A limit of £50,000 will allow other participants to have national impact, but is also restrictive enough to encourage people to join the designated organisations if they wish to contribute more substantially.

3.12 The table summarises the campaign spending limits that would apply during the 16-week regulated period before the referendum.

Type of Organisation

Proposed Spending Limit

Designated Organisation

£750,000

Party Represented in Scottish Parliament

£250,000

Other Registered Permitted Participants

£50,000

Other individuals or bodies

£5,000

3.13 Breach of these limits would be treated as an offence in the same way as PPERA treats such breaches. Sanctions for non-compliance are set out in the draft Bill.

Referendum expenses

3.14 The draft Bill provides that expenses count towards the spending limits if they support a campaign or promote an outcome. The purpose of this definition is to capture every activity that is related to campaign expenditure and the definition is, for that reason, quite broad. Expenses that count towards the spending limits include those of:

- campaign broadcasts

- advertising

- unsolicited material addressed to voters

- any material that provides information about the referendum, its questions or promotes an outcome

- market research or canvassing

- press or media conferences

- transport costs for the purposes of obtaining publicity about the referendum

- rallies and other forms of public meetings.

3.15 Cost savings associated with property, facilities or services that are provided free of charge or at a preferential rate are also counted as referendum expenses if they exceed £200. These are referred to as "notional referendum expenses" in the draft bill and must be declared to the Commission along with the other expenses.

3.16 To ensure that the referendum campaign is conducted openly, it is crucial that the campaign expenditure incurred is properly accounted for and reported. Permitted participants must demonstrate that they have maintained control over what they have spent on their campaigns so that their spending can be reported and made public. The draft Bill therefore contains detailed rules, based on the provisions of PPERA, to ensure that each participant has appropriate procedures in place to authorise and account for its expenses.

Donations

3.17 Donations to registered political parties are already subject to a regulatory regime established in Part 4 of PPERA. There is, therefore, no need to create an additional set of rules regulating donations to political parties solely for the purposes of the referendum.

3.18 However, political parties will not be the only bodies wishing to campaign for a particular outcome at the referendum. The draft Bill therefore deals with controls of donations to permitted participants that are not registered parties or are minor parties. The rules are again based very strongly on the existing legislation for referendums in the UK, set out in PPERA. In general terms, the rules define what donations are allowed, both by description and by monetary value (or a determination of monetary value), who is allowed to make a donation and what a permitted participant must do to record and report the donations of over £500 that they receive. As under PPERA, permitted participants cannot accept anonymous donations or donations from individuals or organisations from outside the UK.

Returns to the Commission

3.19 Permitted participants will be required to provide a report to the Commission about their finances. The draft Bill includes a requirement that a person designated by a permitted participant as the "responsible person" (in the case of a registered political party, the treasurer) must make a return to the Electoral Commission within six months of the date of the referendum setting out full details of expenses and donations. The Commission must make copies of the returns available for public inspection.

QUESTION 8:

What are your views on the proposed spending limits?

Chapter 4 After the Referendum

Chapter Summary

- Following a yes vote for independence, negotiations would take place on the transfer of powers and transitional arrangements.

- In due course both the Scottish and UK Parliaments would pass and bring into force independence legislation to enact the negotiated settlement.

4.1 Following a vote for independence, the Scottish Parliament and Government would carry forward the people's will. This would involve negotiations with the UK Government. These negotiations would deal with the terms of independence as well as with the arrangements for the transition. The terms of independence would include agreement on the scope and arrangements for future cross-border bodies and cross-border co-operation, both transitional and ongoing.

4.2 Formal negotiations would also be opened on Scotland's international responsibilities, in the European Union and more widely. Other bodies such as relevant international partners would be involved in such discussions as needed.

4.3 Agreement on the arrangements for transition would allow Scotland to move forward to independence. There would be a transitional period to allow for necessary legal and practical preparations. These preparations would ensure that systems and arrangements were in place to allow an independent Scottish Parliament and Government to fulfil the full range of their responsibilities from the moment of independence.

4.4 The final requirement for independence to have effect would be for both the Scottish and UK Parliaments to pass and bring into force independence legislation which would enact the negotiated settlement. In particular, the legislation would effect the transfer of the power to legislate for Scotland from the UK Parliament to the Scottish Parliament and would define the effective date of Scotland's re-establishment as an independent, sovereign state.

4.5 May 2016 will see the election of the next Scottish Parliament which would become the Parliament of an independent Scotland. This election will give the people of Scotland the chance to decide the future policy direction of Scotland.

QUESTION 9:

Do you have any other comments about the proposals in the draft Referendum (Scotland) Bill?

Chapter 5 How to Comment

- This consultation is your opportunity to shape the referendum on Scotland's constitutional future. Responses should be made by Friday 11 May 2012.

- It would be helpful to have your response by email or using the electronic response form. The electronic response form can be accessed at the following website address: https://consult.scotland.gov.uk. You can also email your response to the mailbox below.

- We are, of course, happy to receive written submissions too.

It would be helpful to have your response using the electronic response form. The electronic response form can be accessed at the following website address: https://consult.scotland.gov.uk. You can also email your response to referendum@scotland.gsi.gov.uk

Written submissions:

Referendum Consultation
Elections and Constitutional Development Division
Area 3D (South)
Victoria Quay
Edinburgh
EH6 6QQ

We would be grateful if you would use the consultation questionnaire provided or would clearly indicate in your response which questions or parts of the consultation paper you are responding to, as this will aid our analysis of the responses received.

This consultation, and all other Scottish Government consultation exercises, can be viewed online on the consultation web pages of the Scottish Government website at:
www.scotland.gov.uk/consultations.

You can telephone Freephone 0800 77 1234 to find out where your nearest public internet access point is.

The Scottish Government has an email alert system for consultations. This system, called SEconsult, allows individuals and organisations to register and receive a weekly email with details of all new consultations (including web links). SEconsult complements, but in no way replaces, Scottish Government distribution lists. It is designed to allow people with an interest to keep up to date with all Scottish Government consultation activity. You can register at SEconsult:
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/consultations/seconsult.aspx.

Handling your response

We need to know how you wish your response to be handled and, in particular, whether you are happy for your response to be made public. Please complete and return the Respondent Information Form which forms part of the separate consultation questionnaire as this will ensure that we treat your response appropriately. If you ask for your response not to be published we will regard it as confidential and treat it accordingly. All respondents should be aware that the Scottish Government is subject to the provisions of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 and would therefore have to consider any request made to it under the Act for information relating to responses made to this consultation exercise.

Next steps

If you tell us we can make your response public, we will put it in the Scottish Government Library and on the Scottish Government consultation web pages. We will check all responses where agreement to publish has been given for any wording that might be harmful to others before putting them in the library or on the website. If you would like to see the responses please contact the Scottish Government Library on 0131 244 4565. Responses can be copied and sent to you, but a charge may be made for this service.

What happens next?

Following the closing date, all responses will be analysed and considered along with any other available evidence to help us reach a decision about the finalised Bill. We will issue a report on this consultation process which will be published on the Scottish Government's website at:
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/Recent.

Comments and complaints

If you have any comments about how this consultation exercise has been conducted, please send them to:
Elections and Constitutional Development Division, Victoria Quay, Edinburgh EH6 6QQ.

Chapter 6 Consultation Questionnaire

QUESTION 1:
What are your views on the referendum question and the design of the ballot paper?

QUESTION 2:
What are your views on the proposed timetable and voting arrangements?

QUESTION 3:
What are your views on the inclusion of a second question in the referendum and the voting system that could be used?

QUESTION 4:
What are your views on the proposal to give the Electoral Management Board and its Convener responsibility for the operational management of the referendum?

QUESTION 5:
What are your views on the proposed division of roles between the Electoral Management Board and the Electoral Commission?

QUESTION 6:
What are your views on the idea that the referendum could be held on a Saturday or on other ways which would make voting easier?

QUESTION 7:
What are your views on extending the franchise to those aged 16 and 17 years who are eligible to be registered on the electoral register?

QUESTION 8:
What are your views on the proposed spending limits?

QUESTION 9:
Do you have any other comments about the proposals in the draft Referendum (Scotland) Bill?

Footnotes

1 Your Scotland, Your Voice. Scottish Government white paper, November 2009. ISBN 978-0-7559-8114-4
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2009/11/26155932/0

2 Scotland's Future: Draft Referendum (Scotland) Bill Consultation Paper. Scottish Government, February 2010. ISBN 978-0-7559-8244-8.

3 Scotland's Future: Draft Referendum (Scotland) Bill Consultation Paper. Scottish Government, February 2010. ISBN 978-0-7559-8244-8.

4 Scotland's Constitutional Future. UK Government Command Paper 8203, January 2012. ISBN 978-0-1018-2032-5.

5 Section 30 orders are subject to the consent of the Scottish Parliament and both Houses of Parliament at Westminster. Changes to the competence of the Scottish Parliament under primary legislation (such as the Scotland Bill) require the legislative consent of the Scottish Parliament under the Sewel Convention.

6 "As a UK Government we will not be putting obstacles in the way of any referendum." (Michael Moore, Secretary of State for Scotland, quoted by PA Newswire, 8 May 2011). "We could, I suppose, try to make a constitutional issue about where the powers lie or don't, but I don't think that would be a sensible use of anybody's time." (Michael Moore, quoted by the BBC News web-site, 8 May 2011.)

7 Referendum Question Assessment Guidelines. Electoral Commission, November 2009.

8 Report into the joint Scottish Parliament and local government elections in Scotland. Ron Gould for the Electoral Commission, October 2007. The Scottish Government commissioned intelligibility testing of the ballot paper to be used in the 2012 local government elections. A report of the testing carried out by Ipsos MORI was published in March 2011.

9 Your Scotland, Your Voice. Scottish Government white paper, November 2009. ISBN 978-0-7559-8114-4
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2009/11/26155932/0

10 The 1975 UK Referendum on continued membership of the EEC, the 1997 devolution referendums in Scotland and Wales, the 1998 Greater London Authority referendum, the 1998 referendum on the Belfast Agreement in Northern Ireland and the 2004 referendum on a regional assembly for the North East of England were all conducted without a minimum turnout requirement and with the result determined by a simple majority.

11 Examples of recent referendums in Western Europe where no minimum turnout requirement or approval threshold was set are: the 1992 Maastricht Treaty referendums in France and Ireland, the 1994 referendum on joining the EU and the 2003 referendum on adopting the Euro in Sweden, the 2005 referendums on the Constitution for the EU in Spain, France and the Netherlands, the 2006 referendum on greater autonomy for Catalonia and the 2008 and 2009 Lisbon Treaty Referendums in Ireland.

12 Scotland's Constitutional Future. UK Government Command Paper 8203, January 2012. ISBN 978-0-1018- 2032-5.

13 For example two-question referendums were held in New Zealand in 1993 and 2011 on the parliamentary electoral system. On both occasions the first (or "gateway") question was about whether the existing system should change and the second gave a choice of alternative systems.

14 The Electoral Commission report into the AV Referendum was published on 19 October 2011. It contained 25 recommendations, most of which were addressed specifically at the UK Government and suggested changes to the PPERA framework for referendums. The Scottish Government will consider these recommendations with the Commission between now and the introduction of the Referendum (Scotland) Bill.

15 The Local Electoral Administration (Scotland) Act 2011 gave the Electoral Commission a statutory role in relation to local government elections in Scotland for the first time. The Act places an obligation on the Commission to report to the Scottish Parliament on its activities in this area.

16 The Association of Electoral Administrators in its report into the administration of the referendums and elections across the UK in 2011 (14 July 2011) discussed the role of the Electoral Commission in the Welsh Assembly and AV Referendums in March and May 2011. It noted that "administrators have expressed concerns about whether it is appropriate for a body established to provide advice and keep electoral matters under review – including reporting on the administration of the referendum – to have operational responsibility for that referendum". The report concluded that "... a debate is needed on the management structure for future referendums, including the respective roles and powers of the Chief Counting Officer and the Electoral Commission.

17 Scotland's Constitutional Future. UK Government Command Paper 8203, January 2012 ISBN 978-0-1018- 2032-5.

18 Report on the Referendum on the Law-making Powers of the National Assembly for Wales. Electoral Commission, July 2011.