Unite Scotland Scottish Government Consultation Response: Your Scotland, Your Referendum May 2012 www.unitescotland.org 1
Overview Following the majority re-election of the SNP in the May 2011 Scottish Parliamentary Elections we have expected the Scottish Government to bring forward a referendum on the future of Scotland and our constitutional arrangements. The rhetoric of the Scottish Government had previously indicated a date in 2014 or in the second-half of the fourth Scottish Parliament. In January, political manoeuvring at Westminster level from the Prime Minister effectively put our political parties on the road to the referendum campaign. Although still without absolute confirmation, we can now reasonably anticipate a referendum to take place sometime in late 2014. Despite the early and fevered publicity surrounding what will arguably be the most important event in modern Scottish political history, it is important to remember we are in the early stages of the process and debating what type of referendum we want in Scotland. Over the coming weeks and months the Scottish electorate will be subject to poll after poll concerning the question of Scotland s constitutional future and the issue will saturate media coverage in what is already a time of great economic and social uncertainty. Therefore, Unite Scotland stresses the need to look at this referendum in two stages: 1. The consultation process and the construction of the referendum; and 2. The referendum campaign itself after the plebiscite is finalised, leading to the vote itself. We look at this particular consultation as an opportunity to help deliver on the first stage of this referendum. As Scotland s largest trade union and civic organisation, the constitutional question poses a raft of significant challenges for our members and indeed our union which we will confront with democracy and transparency. The perceptions and potential implications of independence further devolution or a continuation of the status quo will resonate differently across our diverse membership. However, this process is a marathon and not a sprint. We have time to debate and time to explore all the options available to the people of Scotland. We are very pleased to take this opportunity to convey the initial thoughts of our members on this first stage of the referendum process and on the issues contained within the consultation document that are of most concern to them. 2
The constitutional question In a motion to April s Scottish Trade Union Congress (STUC) annual conference, Unite called for the maximum scope of democratic debate throughout the referendum process. In these turbulent socio-economic times our members believe that we need a renewed ownership over our democracy. To achieve this in the context of the forthcoming constitutional referendum requires a fair and balanced analysis of the all the possible options available in the development of this plebiscite. Already the media has been dominated by political rhetoric and squabbling while the process of actually engaging the Scottish people hasn t truly got underway (this consultation hopefully represents that first step). The referendum can be a once in a generation opportunity to transform Scottish politics and, most importantly, our society - whatever the final outcome. And with the eyes of the world focused firmly on Scotland, we have to get our democracy right. Already it is disappointing that mainstream party politics has seemingly squared firmly behind a single yes / no referendum without really beginning to properly engage with the Scottish people on this most crucial of issues. This is perhaps best exemplified in the early political debates over the inclusion of a question on the referendum ballot dealing with further devolved powers for the Scottish Parliament. While the Scottish and UK Governments, and opposition parties for that matter, argue over the inclusion of a second question, an Ipsos MORI poll (2 nd March 2012) revealed that 59% of the Scottish public think a separate question on further devolved powers should be included in the referendum. Increasingly, there seems to be a real appetite among the Scottish public to incorporate a second question on further devolved powers. Unite Scotland - Mass 1 Devolution Max Poll Findings That desire for a second question on further devolved powers was also reflected in the early feedback from our own membership. With this in mind we commissioned a poll of Unite members in Scotland specifically on the issue of having the option to vote on further devolved powers in the referendum. Our poll received a response rate of over 1,700 people far exceeding the sample size of most mainstream political polls (report included as an appendix to this response). Our members were asked on a yes / no basis: Would you like the option of further powers to the Scottish Parliament on the ballot paper? 62% replied yes and 38% replied no. 3
Our members were then posed a further question: Why do they support the inclusion of this option? 34% wanted more power for Holyrood while just over 30% believed that all options should be available. Around 14% wanted more devolved powers if they couldn t have independence with some 13% stating they didn t think Scotland was ready for independence. The principle at play here is that poll after poll is consistently telling us people in Scotland would, at the very least, like to explore the possibilities of a second question on the referendum and have a debate on defining what further devolved powers will actually mean and deliver. Politicians cannot ignore this trend, not in Holyrood and not in Westminster. It is unfortunate that in this nascent stage of the referendum process, politicians rather than the people seem intent on shaping the debate and that s not good enough. We are hopeful the findings of this consultation will begin to readjust matters. Who should be able to vote? Unite has a long-standing policy position that people should be allowed to vote from the age of 16 years old. We have thousands of young members across Unite who cannot influence the democratic process which impacts upon their educational, working and personal lives. As we have said, the constitutional referendum will be the most important event in modern Scottish political history and has significant transformative potential for work, society and economy. The ramifications of the referendum will impact upon future generations so it is wholly appropriate that the voting age be lowered to 16 years old. There is a sceptical lobby within politics and minor grievances within the feedback from our own members too about the timing of the Scottish Government s proposals on lowering the voting age and how it could shape the referendum outcome. However, given that most mainstream parties and politicians have previously expressed support for extending the voter franchise to 16 years old we should approach this issue with a progressive mindset. However, while we recognise the legislative hurdles that would need to be negotiated between Westminster and Holyrood to deliver this extension for the referendum, we are confident this would be the test case demonstrating the value of lowering the voting age for all future elections. From the outset we have urged for the maximum democracy and participation in this process. Achieving legislative change and empowering people from the age of 16 with a vote to shape Scotland s future would represent a progressive step forward for our democracy and politics. 4
Delivering the referendum Timeframe Reflecting the views of the STUC, Unite is not uncomfortable with the referendum being held in 2014. While discomfort has been expressed in some quarters, (those of a sooner rather than later persuasion) we are increasingly of the opinion that a late- 2014 referendum gives the people of Scotland greater scope to debate and to examine what independence, further devolved powers or the status quo means for the future Scotland. Furthermore, it is evident that there will be significant legal wrangling - politically or otherwise - relating to the delivery of this referendum. The Scottish Government s proposed timescale gives us time to reach a settled, legally binding referendum well in advance of the campaign proper that satisfies the will of the Scottish people. Authority We believe the Scottish Parliament should have the necessary controls to deliver the referendum. This should be a vote for the people of Scotland, delivered by its parliament and empowered accordingly without pre-condition from Westminster. We echo the sentiments of the STUC in that the Electoral Commission is well placed to oversee the referendum process but also argue that there is merit in the establishment of an independent commission to facilitate with the construction of the final plebiscite - not least in fairly exploring the possibilities concerning a second question on further devolved powers. Funding The view has been put forward by our members that there should be equal spending limits placed on political parties, campaign groups and any other body seeking to influence the outcome of this referendum. Furthermore, in the midst of extreme economic uncertainty, the referendum should be delivered at minimal cost to the Scottish taxpayer. 5
Closing remarks Arguably, the findings of this consultation will be the most influential contribution to the first stage of the referendum process. And like the entire process itself its findings must be delivered with complete transparency. Debate will intensify as we move towards the referendum vote and the launching of multiple campaigns from a host of organisations across Scotland and beyond. What matters most at this point in time is that the will of the Scottish people is reflected in the construction of this referendum and in the final outcomes, from the question (or questions) on the ballot paper to the parameters of the campaigns and issues that are debated. This should all be underpinned by the assurance that this referendum and its final outcome will be legally binding and not prone to challenge. At this early stage the majority view of Unite Scotland members are as follows: A desire for a second question on further devolved powers to be included on the ballot paper; The voting franchise for the referendum should be extended to 16 and 17 year olds; The proposed late-2014 referendum date is satisfactory and provides time to maximise debate on Scotland s constitutional future; and Fairness, transparency and the will of the Scottish people is reflected - without legal challenge - throughout this process. We trust these views will be fairly incorporated into the findings of this consultation. ENDS 6
Appendix Unite Scotland / Mass 1 report: Conducted March 2012 with a response rate of 1,739 people derived from Scottish-based members on the Uniteyou service. UniteYou: DevoMax on the referendum for Scotland? UniteYou: Headlines 01: Around two-thirds of our Scottish members said they would like the option of voting for further powers to the Scottish Parliament on the ballot paper 02: The 65+ age group were strongly against having the option 03: There was a massive response from members working in the local authorities sector 04: The majority of responses were from members aged 35-64 05: Young professionals were particularly in favour of including the option 7
UniteYou: Headline Figures UniteYou: Tell us your views on the referendum. Would you like the option of further powers to the Scottish Parliament on the ballot paper? Reply Yes or No. UniteYou: Why members support the inclusion of the option More power gives us more say in Scotland and what happens Civil Air Transport worker, 46 Year, Male, Fife. If we re going to spend so much time and effort discussing the constitution then why make it a straight yes or no? All options should be considered Services and General Industries worker, Edinburgh I would prefer Independence but we need to guarantee more powers for Scotland in the event of a no vote - Comm- CYWU, & Not for Profit worker,, 32 Year old Male., Glasgow I don t think that independence is a good thing. I would rather be in the UK with more powers for devolved government 8
UniteYou: Why members oppose the inclusion of the option I don t believe Scotland can sustain independence - Local Authorities worker, 42 Year old Female, Annan It s too vague a question and would confuse the issue over independence. Devolution is a continuing process Education Worker, 29 Year old Male, Glasgow I hate the kind of voting or form filling where there is a soft option for example (neither agree or disagree). Straight choice means straight answers Food, Drink & Tobacco worker, 39 Year old Female, Aberdeen. UniteYou: Age Group Breakdown of Respondents 65% of respondents aged 35 64 9
UniteYou: Gender Breakdown Respondents Men make up more of the base that women, hence the larger response was expected. Both genders were equally split with a slight bias in favour of yes from women and no from men. UniteYou: Demographic Group Breakdown Group D is most against having the option. They are residents of small and medium sized towns. Usually containing a diverse age range.. Group O is most in favour of the option. They are the young, Welleducated, city dwellers. 10