Part of Oral Answers to Questions — Scotland – in the House of Commons at 2:30 pm on 8 May 2007.
Jo Swinson
Shadow Minister (Women and Equality), Shadow Secretary of State for Scotland, Liberal Democrat Spokesperson (Scotland), Liberal Democrat Spokesperson (Women and Equality)
2:30,
8 May 2007
Two days after the 300th anniversary of the Act of Union two thirds of people in Scotland voted for pro-Union parties. Does the Secretary of State agree that although the SNP has won the right to try to form a Government, it certainly has not won the right to take Scotland down the road to separation?
Secretary of State was originally the title given to the two officials who conducted the Royal Correspondence under Elizabeth I. Now it is the title held by some of the more important Government Ministers, for example the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.
Annotations
caroline pugh
Posted on 10 May 2007 5:24 pm (Report this annotation)
Dear Jo Swinson,
From your comment at 2.30pm 08/05/07, I infer that you are arguing against a referendum on independence. As you suggest, it is likely that Scotland would vote in favour of the union, so why not have a referendum? I am undecided on this issue, however I believe that this decision must be dealt with separately in a manner that is satisfactory to both sides of the debate.
A well-publicized single-question referendum conducted on a politically neutral date would establish the will of the Scottish electorate.
Thank you for your good work, and it's very useful to receive the updates from theyworkforyou.com
Caroline Pugh caroline.pugh@gmail.com
Mark Bestford
Posted on 11 May 2007 12:30 pm (Report this annotation)
Although 2 thirds of the votes may have been for pro-union parties that does not mean that 2 thirds of Scotland are pro-union, just that 2 thirds voted for parties other than the SNP. It's like saying the country voted for ID cards, no they didn't, they voted for a party with a wide range of policies.
You could have 100% of Scotland for independance and the SNP could still poll just a third of the vote. Why? Because you don't vote on a single issue, you vote for the whole package. On balance a third preferred Labour's package, taxation, welfare and the rest. Doesn't mean they don't want a referendum though.