National Conversation
The National Conversation was the name given to the
Process
The National Conversation was launched on 14 August 2007 by
As a culmination to the National Conversation, a
Response
On 6 December 2007, the Scottish Parliament voted to create a Commission on Scottish Devolution, chaired by Sir Kenneth Calman, and with the remit:
- To review the provisions of the Scotland Act 1998 in the light of experience and to recommend any changes to the present constitutional arrangements that would enable the Scottish Parliament to serve the people of Scotland better, improve the financial accountability of the Scottish Parliament, and continue to secure the position of Scotland within the United Kingdom.
The Commission was supported by the three main
- The SNP amendment predictably calls for us to participate in the National Conversation, but how can the SNP possibly claim to be leading a conversation when it has already decided what the only acceptable outcome will be? Worst of all, it has no parliamentary mandate whatsoever for the conversation. How can the SNP possibly justify the use of taxpayers' money on something that is little more than propaganda?[4]
Notably the remit of the Commission on Scottish Devolution precludes the consideration of Scottish independence.
The rejection of the National Conversation by the Scottish Parliament has led to criticisms as to its legitimacy.[5] Concerns have also been raised by
Website controversy
On 24 April 2008,
Influence
The initiative influenced the Parti Québécois[citation needed] and, in March 2008, shortly before the Parti Québécois National Council, leader Pauline Marois presented the party's plan to propose a conversation nationale to Quebecers as part of Marois' renewal of the party's approach on independence and social democracy. In this case, however, the conversation is to be solely on independence, instead of three options. The expression was met with less enthusiasm in Quebec and arose cynicism in the press and objection with some party hardliners.[7] Shortly after, the Parti Québécois replaced the term with débat sur la souveraineté ("debate on sovereignty").
See also
- Choosing Scotland's Future
- Independence referendum
- Public consultation
- Scottish referendum bill 2010
References
- ^ a b c Quinn, Joe (30 November 2009). "SNP reveals vision for independence referendum". The Independent. London. Archived from the original on 3 December 2009. Retrieved 30 November 2009.
- ^ "Your Scotland, Your Voice". www.scotland.gov.uk > News > News Releases > 2009 > November > YSYV. Scottish Government. 30 November 2009. Archived from the original on 7 June 2011. Retrieved 30 November 2009.
- ^ "Your Scotland, Your Voice" (PDF). Scottish Government. 30 November 2009. p. 176. Archived from the original (PDF) on 28 December 2009. Retrieved 30 November 2009.
- ^ Parliamentary Business : Scottish Parliament
- ^ Cochrane, Alan (14 February 2008). "Alex Salmond's national conversation". The Daily Telegraph. London. Retrieved 19 May 2010.
- ^ SNP's national conversation 'a chatroom for cybernats' – The Scotsman
- ^ Logique impériale by François Brousseau, 25 March 2008, Le Devoir Archived 13 April 2008 at the Wayback Machine