How will Scotland be governed?

Scotland the Brief

Stephen Richard — Tue, 26 Oct 2021 20:19:05 +0000

Scotland the Brief

Primary Author or Creator

Gordon MacIntyre-Kemp

Stephen Richard Tue, 10/26/2021 - 21:19

Additional Author(s) / Creators

Business for Scotland

Publisher

Business for Scotland

Alternative Published Date

2020

Category

Economy

Public Finance

Type of Resource

book

Length (Pages, words, minutes etc...)

191pp

Fast Facts

All you need to know about Scotland's economy, its finances, independence and Brexit.

More details

Scotland the Brief began as a collection of illustrated Scottish economic facts published by Business for Scotland. Over two years, those graphics generated more than four million views and shares on our website and via social media. From that foundation, we’ve produced this book.

Scotland the Brief summarises an in-depth investigation into the breadth, structure and quality of Scotland’s economy. It is written in layman’s terms by Gordon MacIntyre-Kemp and colourfully illustrated by Stewart Bremner to make it easy to understand and absorb, as well as fun to read.

Scotland the Brief answers the burning question – would Scotland prosper as an independent nation?

We also take an in-depth look into the UK Government’s economic record, which we compare to other Western and Northern European nations – with frankly shocking results. The fact is that you cannot truly understand Scotland’s economy and its finances until you have read Scotland the Brief.

Regardless of how you feel about independence, Scotland the Brief will open your eyes, engage and educate you by supplying you with the facts you need to truly inform your opinion on Scotland’s future.

Scotland the Brief comes in two versions:

The standard-sized A5 book nicknamed the Maxi contains a lot more information across 190 pages, backed up with a numbered list of 418 sources for facts throughout the book. A reference copy for anyone who wants to understand Scotland economy – The Maxi book retails at £7.50.
The Mini, an A6 sized book is the quick reference copy (a 74-page abridged version of the full-sized book) it fits easily into a jacket pocket or handbag and most of the pre-orders are for people who intend to keep one to read and one give to friends and colleagues. The Mini retails at £3.50.

Resource Address (URL)

https://www.businessforscotland.com/scotland-the-brief/

Keywords

Language English

A Holyrood you trust or Westminster you do not? Open Minds on Independence #23

Stephen Richard — Sun, 10 Oct 2021 17:29:05 +0000

A Holyrood you trust or Westminster you do not? Open Minds on Independence #23

Primary Author or Creator

The National

Stephen Richard Sun, 10/10/2021 - 18:29

Additional Author(s) / Creators

Believe in Scotland

Date Published

Sat, 05/01/2021 - 12:00

Category

Scottish government

Type of Resource

News Media

Fast Facts

How does the Scottish Government score in the Worldwide Governance Indicators?

1: Voice and Accountability - good

2: Political Stability - good. Better than England

3:Government Effectiveness - good and more trusted than England

4: Regulatory Quality - good although an independent Scotland would need some new regulatory bodies

5: Rule of Law - good. It has a well-regarded legal sysem

6: Control of Corruption - good. Trust in Scottish government 4 times higher than trust in the UK government.

Resource Address (URL)

https://www.thenational.scot/news/19272830.open-minds-independence-23-holyrood-…

Keywords

Worlwide Governance Indicators

UK Government

Scottish Government

Language English

Foundations for Freedom: Discussion Paper on the Process for Establishing an Independent Scotland's Constitution

Vicky Fairley — Thu, 30 Sep 2021 11:46:09 +0000

Foundations for Freedom: Discussion Paper on the Process for Establishing an Independent Scotland's Constitution

Primary Author or Creator

Bulmer, Dr. W. Elliott

Vicky Fairley Thu, 09/30/2021 - 12:46

Additional Author(s) / Creators

Commonweal

Alternative Published Date

May 2018

Category

Constitution

Type of Resource

Discussion Paper

Length (Pages, words, minutes etc...)

39 pages

Fast Facts

Suggests a written Constitution is central not peripheral to making the case for Independence and is the international norm. Proposes developing one provisionally via a Constitutional Conference before next referendum.

More details

The case for Scottish independence depends upon an independent Scotland being a healthy, robust democracy. A strong, inclusive and reassuring constitutional foundation is necessary to ensure that. A written Constitution is the international norm. It is expected and demanded. No matter, therefore, how far-fetched the idea of adopting a written Constitution might be in the UK as a whole, in the context of an independent Scotland it has become a basic necessity. The best course of action is to develop a fully worked provisional Constitution by means of a Constitutional Conference which should be as open, inclusive and representative as possible. However, it need not be a final settlement. There would be scope for a subsequent period of post-independence constitution-making, by means of an inclusive and participatory process, in which the issues that are avoided by the Conference in the name of stability and expediency – like, for example, the question of a republic or the expansion of socio-economic rights – could be addressed, should there be sufficient public demand.

Resource Address (URL)

https://commonweal.scot/policies/foundations-for-freedom-a-discussion-paper-on-…

Keywords

written constitution.

Language English

The White Paper Project: Version 1.0

Stephen Richard — Sun, 12 Sep 2021 08:38:43 +0000

The White Paper Project: Version 1.0

Primary Author or Creator

Common Weal

Stephen Richard Sun, 09/12/2021 - 09:38

Alternative Published Date

2018?

Category

Independence

Type of Resource

Policy Paper2018?

Fast Facts

The White Paper Project is an attempt by Common Weal to explore the methodology, content and structure of a revised White Paper for Scottish independence.

More details

― This project is aimed at identifying the work that Scotland needs to do between an independence referendum and independence day to ensure that it has the infrastructure it needs to run a viable democratic country.

― It therefore does not cover aspects that are already operating and substantially devolved such as health and education.

― A National Commission should be established tasked with the creation of a Scottish State. The Commission shall be governed by a Council drawn from a cross section of civic society with no single political party, interest group or sector able to secure a majority role on the Council.

― Interim Borrowing Powers should be granted to the Commission to enable it to fund its operations and build the institutions that Scotland requires.

― The Commission shall be overseen by a Transition Commission comprised of UK and Scottish Government Ministers

― Key institutions required by an independent Scotland include: A reformed Scottish Parliament, a fully independent Scottish civil services, mechanisms for holding data on residents in Scotland, a Central Bank, a Tax Agency, A Pensions Agency, a Defence Strategy, Borders and Customs infrastructure, a Consular network and others.

― Negotiations will have to be initiated with rUK and with international bodies on issues such as debt and asset splits and membership of institutions such as the UN, NATO, the EU and others (as well as discussions with the Scottish people on whether or not to join these institutions).

― A provisional budget for the setting up of Scotland’s institutions is estimated at around £18.8 billion.

Resource Address (URL)

https://commonweal.scot/policies/the-white-paper-project-version-1-0/

Keywords

independence

Language English

Preparing Scotland digitally for independence

Stephen Richard — Sun, 12 Sep 2021 08:32:47 +0000

Preparing Scotland digitally for independence

Primary Author or Creator

Gordon Morgan

Stephen Richard Sun, 09/12/2021 - 09:32

Alternative Published Date

November 2017

Category

Scottish government

Type of Resource

Policy Paper

Fast Facts

Gordon Morgan examines the IT Systems requirements for an independent Scotland in this White Paper Project report.

More details

― Several important areas of Scottish governance, like the NHS, Local Government, and Police and Fire Services, are already devolved. However, other areas like most tax collection, borders and customs, and foreign affairs, are mostly reserved areas and would need to new IT systems established upon independence.

― A tentative estimate of the total cost to build new IT systems for all required areas has been identified at around £1,250 million to be spent over a three year independence transition period. This is comparable to the budgets being identified to reform and upgrade current government IT systems within Scotland in recent years.

― A well designed IT system will aid in quickly recouping this investment in the form of revenue from the customs agency and central bank.

Resource Address (URL)

https://commonweal.scot/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Preparing-Scotland-digitally…

Keywords

Government IT systems

IT systems

Digital independence

Language English

Foundations for Freedom: A discussion paper on the process for establishing an independent Scotland’s Constitution

Stephen Richard — Sun, 12 Sep 2021 08:11:43 +0000

Foundations for Freedom: A discussion paper on the process for establishing an independent Scotland’s Constitution

Primary Author or Creator

W. Elliot Bulmer

Stephen Richard Sun, 09/12/2021 - 09:11

Additional Author(s) / Creators

Common Weal

Alternative Published Date

May 2018

Category

Constitution

Type of Resource

Discussion Paper

Fast Facts

This paper discusses the principles on which an independent Scotland should found the writing of a formal constitution as well as the method by which such a constitution could be determined by the people of Scotland via citizens’ assemblies and a referendum.

An example constitution for Scotland is included for the purposes of opening such a discussion.

More details

― Although some conservative academics continue to defend the British doctrine of parliamentary absolutism, theoretical arguments against constitutionalism appear to be increasingly irrelevant in Scotland. A written Constitution is the international norm. It is expected and demanded. No matter, therefore, how far-fetched the idea of adopting a written Constitution might be in the UK as a whole, in the context of an independent Scotland it has become a basic necessity.

― The Scottish independence movement, both within and beyond the SNP, has long recognised this. The SNP, as well as the Scottish Green Party and a broad range of civil society organisations have publicly recognized that a Constitution is not an optional extra, but an essential basis for the legitimacy, stability, success and longevity of Scottish democracy post-independence. In asking for clear commitments to be made to a constitutional transition process, we are not asking for a change of policy, but for an undertaking to honour longstanding promises.

― The best course of action is to develop a fully worked Provisional Constitution, by means of a Constitutional Conference, before the next referendum. The Constitutional Conference should be as representative as possible and as open and inclusive in its activities as possible, so that even if the Unionist politicians choose to boycott the Conference it has broad public legitimacy (akin to that achieved by the Constitutional Convention in the 1990s despite the absence of the SNP and Conservatives). The next independence referendum would then be held on the specific question of approving the Constitution approved by the Constitutional Conference – which Constitution would, if approved, come into effect on independence day. That Constitution would provide the institutional and legal basis for a Scottish State, at least on a provisional basis.

― However, the Provisional Constitution need not be a final settlement. There would be scope for a subsequent period of post independence constitution-making, by means of an inclusive and participatory process, in which the issues that are avoided by the Conference in the name of stability and expediency – like, for example, the question of a republic or the expansion of socio-economic rights – could be addressed, should there be sufficient public demand.

Resource Address (URL)

https://commonweal.scot/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Foundations-for-Freedom.pdf

Keywords

Constitution for Scotland

Language English

A Citizens’ Assembly for the Scottish Parliament

Stephen Richard — Sat, 04 Sep 2021 09:41:01 +0000

A Citizens’ Assembly for the Scottish Parliament

Primary Author or Creator

Common Weal

Stephen Richard Sat, 09/04/2021 - 10:41

Additional Author(s) / Creators

Sortition Foundation, New Democracy

Alternative Published Date

2020?

Category

Democracy

Type of Resource

Policy Paper

Fast Facts

How should parliament incorporate the public’s voice?

Opinion polls – measuring uncritical, off-the-cuff responses to complicated questions – are shallow at best, misleading at worst, and when amplified by the media and other sources can have a detrimental effect on policy making. Instead of gathering citizens’ opinions, political decisions should be made after garnering citizens’ considered and informed judgement.

This is what a Citizens’ Assembly will do.

The overarching benefit of a Citizens’ Assembly in the Scottish Parliament would be a profound increase in the legitimacy of Scottish laws by providing solid evidence of the considered endorsement by a representative sample of
deliberating Scottish citizens.

More details

― The Citizens’ Assembly would be selected by random sortition – i.e. a random sample of Scottish residents, balanced to reflect the demographics of Scotland.

― This Upper House would be permanent and distinct from any other Citizens’ Assemblies that Scotland could form to discuss either general views or a specific topic.

― Three models of Upper House are discussed. An Advisory Chamber would be the weakest form of Assembly, with the power to scrutinise bills and suggest amendments (in a manner similar to the current Committee system) and to apply censure to the Scottish Parliament or MSPs.

― The next model would be a House of Review similar to the House of Lords where bills could be directly amended or delayed but in most cases not permanently blocked.

― The most powerful Citizens’ Assembly would be a full Senate with the ability not only to amend legislation proposed by the Parliament but to introduce legislation of its own accord (with appropriate caveats).

― Citizens would be paid a rate comparable to MSPs while they sit for a two year term and provisions would be put in place – similar to those in place for juries – to support employers who lose their employee for this period and to assist Assembly members to re-integrate into their previous job when their term ends.

Resource Address (URL)

https://commonweal.scot/policies/a-citizens-assembly-for-the-scottish-parliamen…

Keywords

Citizens Assemblies

Scottish Government

Democracy

Language English

Our Democracy Is Not For Sale

Stephen Richard — Sat, 04 Sep 2021 09:03:50 +0000

Our Democracy Is Not For Sale

Primary Author or Creator

Peter Ryan

Stephen Richard Sat, 09/04/2021 - 10:03

Additional Author(s) / Creators

Common Weal

Date Published

Mon, 08/20/2018 - 12:00

Category

Scottish government

Type of Resource

Policy Paper

Fast Facts

This paper looks at the vulnerabilities in the UK’s electoral process in the form of the lax regulation around digital political adverts. Such adverts can be bought cheaply and tightly micro-targeted at individual voters. The current fines levied against groups who over-spend on campaigns is low enough that not only do they provide no deterrence to overspending, the fines risk becoming actively “costed in” to campaigns mounted by well-funded yet unscrupulous organisations.

More details

― All digital campaigning materials should contain an imprint saying who is behind the campaign and who created it.

― The current fines for breaching campaign rules are too low and can be included as “the cost of business” by unscrupulous campaigners. Fines and other penalties must be increased and campaign spending must be more transparent.

― Reportable political donations must be barred to individuals and organisations based outwith the area covered by the election or referendum in question. For example, a Scottish election or referendum campaign should be funded only by individuals and organisations based in Scotland or who pay Scottish taxes.

― The powers of the Electoral Commission to ensure compliance with regulations must be increased.

― Rules around the control of spending within a defined “campaigning period” should be reviewed to consider extending the defined period or including spending

Keywords

Elections

Political advertising

political donations

Electoral Commission

Election spending

Language English

Development Councils: A Proposal For A New System Of Local Democracy In Scotland

Stephen Richard — Sat, 04 Sep 2021 08:58:05 +0000

Development Councils: A Proposal For A New System Of Local Democracy In Scotland

Primary Author or Creator

Robin McAlpine

Stephen Richard Sat, 09/04/2021 - 09:58

Additional Author(s) / Creators

Robin McAlpine Linda Pearson, Craig Dalzell

Date Published

Wed, 10/31/2018 - 12:00

Category

Democracy

Type of Resource

Policy Paper

Fast Facts

Common Weal held a series of in-depth discussions with a wide range of individuals and organisations working in local democracy and community development based on an outline plan for a new tier of local democracy in Scotland. The outline plan was then revised and adapted on the basis of the comments received during those conversations. This is the final proposal.

More details

― Scotland is almost unique in Europe for not having a truly local level of government. What we currently call our Local Authorities are equivalent to a European Regional Government.

― The Community Councils we have instead of local government are essentially powerless and in many places are dysfunctional or non-existent (though excellent examples of Community Councils do exist)

― We propose a system of local government that draws from the best examples of Community Councils and Development Trusts to create what we are calling “Development Councils”

― Wholesale reform of local government is possible with the powers of devolution but disentangling governance systems – especially IT and data systems – would be costly and complex.

― A compromise solution is to create a system of municipal governments at a local level but enable them to “pull down” powers from the renamed Regional Authorities upon request. Civil servants responsible for administering those powers would then speak to the Development Council.

― The size and boundaries of the Development Councils would be determined by local residents taking into account of population size and historic community.

― The Councils would be elected on fixed terms and would be governed and directed by an annual Citizens’ Assembly of residents of their constituency.

― Development Councils should be fully funded and given local tax raising powers. An illustrative budget for several communities in Scotland is given as an example.

Resource Address (URL)

https://commonweal.scot/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Development-Councils.pdf

Keywords

Language English

Transparency in Public Finance – the role of good data

Stephen Richard — Thu, 02 Sep 2021 10:41:28 +0000

Transparency in Public Finance – the role of good data

Primary Author or Creator

Common Weal

Stephen Richard Thu, 09/02/2021 - 11:41

Date Published

Sat, 10/28/2017 - 12:00

Category

Scottish government

Type of Resource

Policy Paper

Fast Facts

― There are two primary issues with data for the public and for transparency – trust and usability. The former of these is crucial.

― Making numbers have meaning for people should be the primary public-facing aim of public data. But this should also carry an additional element – regular work should be done to systematically identify what information the public wants from public data.

― As a substantial user of public data, Common Weal regularly comes across the issue of comprehensiveness and consistency. Put very simply, often Scotland lacks crucial data because it is collected from across government rather than being coordinated by a central body.

― There should be a single portal for Scottish public sector data. This would clearly be aided by a single statistics agency. However, there is very widely varying practice out there on the presentation of data to the public – and clearly for openness the better and easier the presentation the more likely people are to feel data is useable.

― Almost everyone involved with public data will have had some experience of ‘obstructionism’ in gaining access to public data. Whether it is failure to publish, denial of Freedom of Information requests, use of ‘commercial confidentiality’ clauses, refusal to disaggregate date or provide methodologies or claims that ‘personal data’ can be inferred from larger data sources, there has simply been far too much ‘that’s for us to know and you to not know’ practice.

More details

Who benefits? One of the biggest issues of trust and data relates to 'who benefits?'. There is an enormous amount of public expenditure but it is not always easy to identify (a) who's pockets it ends up in and (b) whose interests the expenditure serves. This should be addressed by attaching to every piece of legislation or spending decision (over a certain threshold) a statement of who benefits (directly and indirectly) and by how much. Which private companies receive direct payment for delivery? This can then be checked against the lobbying register to identify whether they've sought to influence the decision that led to them receiving the money. Which interest groups benefit and by how much? Every sectoral lobby seeks to persuade us that what is good for them is good for everyone – so this should be publicly counted, How good is it for you in hard money terms? How good is it for everyone else in hard money terms? If government is making public-good decisions in an open and honest way, it should not only have no objection to this information but should positively welcome it.

Keywords

Government transparency

Government data

Public data

Public sector data

Language English