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

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