The Scottish Government
The people of Scotland will be going to the polls in autumn 2014 to vote in the referendum on the nation’s future. Scottish Ministers believe independence will give Scots the full range of powers of a normal sovereign nation, allowing Scotland to choose its own social and economic growth policies, and have its own voice in Europe and the wider world.
In October 2012, the Edinburgh Agreement was signed by First Minister Alex Salmond and Prime Minister David Cameron confirming the Scottish Parliament’s power to hold a referendum that will be fully respected by both governments.
The Scottish Government held a consultation on the process of referendum which began in January and closed in May 2012. More than 26,000 groups, individuals, businesses, voluntary organisations and trade unions responded.
____________________________________
Video: Scotland moves a step closer to independence
____________________________________
Video: Edinburgh Agreement on referendum signed
_______________________________________________
Video: Grounds for Divorce: Separatism could redraw the map of Europe in other countries too-Spain and Italy
____________________________________
Video: Scottish Independence Special – Newsnight Scotland -October 15, 2012
____________________________________
Agreement between the United Kingdom Government and the Scottish Government on a referendum on independence for Scotland Edinburgh, 15 October 2012 The United Kingdom Government and the Scottish Government have agreed to work together to ensure that a referendum on Scottish independence can take place. The governments are agreed that the referendum should:
- have a clear legal base
- be legislated for by the Scottish Parliament
- be conducted so as to command the confidence of parliaments, governments and people
- deliver a fair test and a decisive expression of the views of people in Scotland and a result that everyone will respect
The governments have agreed to promote an Order in Council under Section 30 of the Scotland Act 1998 in the United Kingdom and Scottish Parliaments to allow a single-question referendum on Scottish independence to be held before the end of 2014. The Order will put it beyond doubt that the Scottish Parliament can legislate for that referendum.It will then be for the Scottish Government to promote legislation in the Scottish Parliament for a referendum on independence. The governments are agreed that the referendum should meet the highest standards of fairness, transparency and propriety, informed by consultation and independent expert advice. The referendum legislation will set out:
- the date of the referendum
- the franchise
- the wording of the question
- rules on campaign financing
- other rules for the conduct of the referendum
The details of the agreement between the governments are set out in the following memorandum and draft Order, which form part of this agreement.
The Rt. Hon. David Cameron MP
Prime Minister
The Rt. Hon. Alex Salmond MSP
First Minister of Scotland
The Rt. Hon. Michael Moore MP
Secretary of State for Scotland
Nicola Sturgeon MSP
Deputy First Minister of Scotland
_____________________________________________
Video: How Scotland joined Great Britain
________________________________________________
Scotland
After 9 years of continuous growth, Scotland’s population in mid-2011 reached 5,254,800. The population is now the highest ever recorded, 14,000 higher than the previous high in 1974.
Scotland is divided into 32 council areas
Edinburgh
_____________________________________
Video: History of the British flag- Union Jack
_____________________________________
Dilemma X 
November 1, 2012
International