Scottish independence referendum 2017 Results Voting Live Dates Opinion Exit Poll

Scottish independence referendum election Dates 2017

Scottish independence referendum Date: Not yet Declared

The Scottish Government has proposed holding a second referendum on Scottish independence from the United Kingdom (UK). In March 2017, the

Scottish Parliament authorised the Scottish Government to request a transfer of powers from the UK Parliament to hold a referendum, but the UK Parliament and Government has not agreed to this request to date. Scotland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom (UK). It has representation in the UK Parliament and the devolved Scottish Parliament has control over some internal matters.

A referendum on Scottish independence was first held in September 2014, when 55% voted against the proposal. One of the reasons cited by those opposed to Scottish independence was that it would endanger Scotland being part of the European Union (EU). Following the Conservative victory in the May 2015 UK general election, a referendum on UK membership of the EU was organised. The Scottish National Party (SNP), which supports Scottish independence, stated in its manifesto for the May 2016 Scottish Parliament election that it would consider holding a second independence referendum if there was a material change of circumstances, such as the UK leaving the EU. The "Leave" side won the June 2016 referendum with 52% of the vote. In Scotland, 62% of votes were to "Remain" in the EU, including a majority of voters in every local authority area.

Scottish independence referendum Voting Live 2017

1. Scottish government minister Mike Russell has said a date for a second independence referendum "will have to be negotiated".
2. The focus on Scotland's constitution comes on the day the UK government formally began the Brexit process.
3. However, when journalist Andrew Neil asked the prime minister during a half-hour BBC interview what time would be acceptable, she did not answer the question directly.

Electoral system of Scotland

Various electoral systems are now used in Scotland. Historically, First Past the Post had been used in most types of elections, but pressure for change has gradually seen the introduction of different systems, especially towards the end of the 20th century and the beginning of the 21st. This history of using First Past the Post means that the development of

political parties in Scotland was affected to some extent by Duverger's Law, which causes the agglomeration of related political ideologies into a few large parties with many small parties rarely winning representation, though a four party system did develop in Scotland prior to the introduction of voting reform.

Electoral systems now used in Scotland are:

• The First Past the Post system is used for UK general elections.
• The Additional Member System is used for elections to the Scottish Parliament.
• The Single Transferable Vote system is used to elect local councils.
• The Party List System is used for European Parliament elections.

Candidates for Scottish independence referendum 2017

N/A

Scotland Parties and leaders

Scotland past election results