Edinburgh Agreement

Edinburgh Agreement was a pivotal political accord between the Government of the United Kingdom and the Scottish Government. It established the legal framework for a referendum on Scottish independence to be held in 2014. The agreement was signed by Prime Minister David Cameron and First Minister Alex Salmond at St Andrew's House in Edinburgh. It represented a major constitutional moment, temporarily devolving the necessary power from the Parliament of the United Kingdom to the Scottish Parliament to authorize a binding vote.

Background and context

The push for a referendum followed the electoral victory of the Scottish National Party (SNP) in the 2011 Scottish Parliament election, where they won an overall majority. This mandate allowed First Minister Alex Salmond to pursue a pledge for an independence vote. The Government of the United Kingdom, led by Prime Minister David Cameron of the Conservative Party, initially favored an earlier vote and questioned the Scottish Parliament's legal competence to hold a binding referendum. Key figures like Secretary of State for Scotland Michael Moore and Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon were central to preliminary discussions. The political context was shaped by the earlier establishment of devolution through the Scotland Act 1998 and the subsequent Scotland Act 2012.

Negotiations and signing

Formal negotiations were conducted between the Government of the United Kingdom and the Scottish Government over several months in 2012. The UK team included David Cameron, Michael Moore, and Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Theresa Villiers. The Scottish delegation was led by Alex Salmond and Nicola Sturgeon. Discussions addressed the referendum's timing, the wording of the question, and the extent of devolved power. The final agreement was signed on 15 October 2012 at St Andrew's House, the headquarters of the Scottish Government. The ceremony was also attended by Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament Tricia Marwick and was overseen by the Lord Advocate Frank Mulholland.

Key provisions

The accord authorized the Scottish Parliament to pass the Scottish Independence Referendum Act 2013. It stipulated a single, clear question on independence, which was later set by the Electoral Commission as "Should Scotland be an independent country?". The referendum date was set for 18 September 2014. It extended the franchise to include 16 and 17-year-olds, a significant expansion beyond elections for the House of Commons. The agreement guaranteed the referendum would be conducted under the oversight of the Electoral Commission and that both the Government of the United Kingdom and the Scottish Government would respect the outcome. It was given effect by an Order in Council under Section 30 of the Scotland Act 1998.

Implementation and aftermath

Following the signing, the Scottish Parliament passed the necessary legislation, leading to an intense campaign period. The pro-independence campaign, Yes Scotland, was led by figures like Blair Jenkins. The unionist campaign, Better Together, was headed by Alistair Darling, former Chancellor of the Exchequer. Key events included public debates, the publication of the Scottish Government's white paper "Scotland's Future", and interventions by figures like former Prime Minister Gordon Brown. The referendum resulted in a vote to remain within the United Kingdom, with 55% voting "No". In its wake, Prime Minister David Cameron established the Smith Commission, leading to further devolution through the Scotland Act 2016.

Political and constitutional significance

The agreement is widely regarded as a model for consensual constitutional change and the lawful exercise of the right to self-determination within a modern state. It reinforced the stature of the Scottish Parliament and the Scottish Government as legitimate negotiating partners with Whitehall. The process influenced subsequent constitutional debates across the United Kingdom, including those concerning European Union membership and calls for a second independence referendum. It underscored the flexible nature of the British constitution and established a precedent for the use of Section 30 of the Scotland Act 1998 for major constitutional transfers of power. The legacy of the campaign continues to shape the platforms of the Scottish National Party, the Conservative Party, and Labour Party in Scotland.

Category:2012 in Scotland Category:Scottish independence Category:Treaties of the United Kingdom Category:2012 treaties