Scottish devolution referendum, 1997
On September 11, 1997, a referendum on self-government (English devolution referendum, " referendum on decentralization " ) was held in Scotland. The majority of voters here called for the establishment of a Scottish Parliament with the powers to tax collection.
Prehistory
In the 1960s and 1970s had the vote share of Scottish regional parties which have a separation of Scotland from the composite of the United Kingdom striving in part, increased significantly. In response, a referendum was held in Scotland by the Labour government under Prime Minister James Callaghan in 1979, in which a slight majority of 51.6 % of voters, arguing for the establishment of a Scottish Parliament. Due to the low turnout, the referendum, however, was regarded as invalid. The subsequent lower house elections were won by the British Conservatives, who no longer pursued the issue of devolution, ie the decentralization of the United Kingdom. After the referendum in 1979 established Scottish supporters of self-government on 1 March 1980, the Campaign for a Scottish Assembly ( CSA ), which should continue to work as an interest group for Scotland's autonomy. The Conservative government under Margaret Thatcher in London from the beginning was very unpopular in Scotland and the Conservatives won only a minority of Scottish Parliament seats during their entire reign 1979-1997 forever. The closure of many shipbuilding and steel industries in Scotland was seen by many Scots as a sign that the London government represented the interests of their conservative constituencies in England in the first place. From the CSA out was a Scottish National Convention established in 1988 to provide support for the autonomy movement on a broader social base. In this National Convention worked with representatives of various opposition parties, the Scottish Labour Party and the Liberal Democrats. In 1995, the Convention was a publication entitled Scotland's Parliament, Scotland's Right ( " Scotland's Parliament - Scotland's law " ) found in the model a Scottish regional parliament has been described.
The lower house elections on 1 May 1997, with a very substantial majority of the Labour Party under its new chairman, Tony Blair, who himself grew up in Scotland, won. One of the election promises of Labour holding referendums on the renewed self-government in Scotland and Wales had heard.
Results of the referendum
The referendum in Scotland was scheduled for 11 September 1997. For voters, two different questions were submitted here that could answer them independently:
"I agree thatthere Should be a Scottish Parliament. / I do not agree thatthere Should be a Scottish Parliament. "
"I agree that a Scottish Parliament is set up. / I am opposed to a Scottish Parliament is set up. "
"I agree did a Scottish Parliament shouldhave tax -varying powers. / I do not agree did a Scottish Parliament shouldhave tax -varying powers. "
"I agree that a Scottish Parliament should have the power to tax. / I am against the fact that a Scottish Parliament should have the power to tax. "
In contrast to the referendum in 1979, this time no quorum for the turnout has been set. In 1979 there had been a controversial clause that, firstly, the absolute majority of those voting vote but also at least 40 % of the electorate "yes" had to allow the referendum became effective. During the election campaign before the referendum date spoke under the stylized motto Forward Scotland, the Scottish Labour Party, the Scottish National Party (SNP ), the Liberal Democrats and the Scottish Green Party for the adoption of both questions of the referendum from. However, there were significant programmatic differences. Labour and the Liberal Democrats called local autonomy of Scotland within the United Kingdom as their target, while SNP and the Greens advocated complete independence of Scotland as the ultimate goal. The Conservative Party recommended, however, in a campaign under the leadership of Brian Monteith and the slogan Think Twice voters rejecting both questions.
- Results of the referendum by unitary authorities ( question of the establishment of a Scottish Parliament ): > 55-60 % " yes" votes
- > 60-65 % " yes" votes
- > 65-70 % " yes" votes
- > 70-75 % " yes" votes
- > 75-80 % " yes" votes
- > 80-85 % " yes" votes
- > 45-50 % " yes" votes
- > 50-55 % " yes" votes
- > 55-60 % " yes" votes
- > 60-65 % " yes" votes
- > 65-70 % " yes" votes
- > 70-75 % " yes" votes
As a result, nationwide showed a significant agreement on the question whether a unique Scottish Parliament should be established. Should have their own taxing powers in the question whether this new Parliament one, however, significantly tighter showed majority. Whereupon the Parliament in Westminster decided with the Labour majority the Scotland Act 1998, which cleared the way for the establishment of a separate Scottish Parliament. The first elections to the new comprehensive 129 -seat parliament of Scotland were held on 6 May 1999. Strongest party was the Labour Party, followed by the SNP, while the Conservative Party could not win a single one of the 73 direct constituencies directly, but it received 13 seats on the state list. The first regional government of Scotland was formed from a coalition of Labour and Liberal Democrats.