Citizens and Constitutions:The Scottish Question

CHARLIE JEFFERYUniversity of Edinburgh

Political Participation in Scotland

• 97%, 85%, 100,000

Political Participation in Scotland• 97%, 85%, 100,000

Hansard Audit Scotland UKCertain to vote May 72 49Interest in Politics 62 49Knowledge of Politics 56 47Efficacy 44 32Knowledge of (UK) Parl 46 47Satisfaction democracy 32 44

Scottish Referendum Study

Implications?

• Convention not on the agenda in Scotland!

Implications?

• Convention not on the agenda in Scotland!

• What drives greater participation?

Implications?

• Convention not on the agenda in Scotland!

• What drives greater participation?

• Dissatisfaction– Support for status quo 27, 21, 24, 25, 22– Dissatisfaction with what?– Inputs and outputs

28 May 2014

£1400£1000

£500

“Say it was clear that if Scotland became an independent country (separate from the rest of the UK) the standard of living would be higher/lower and people would on average be £500 a year better/worse off.

In these circumstances would you be in favour or against Scotland becoming an independent country?”Scottish Social Attitudes Survey 2013

£500

Not Just Scotland

What England WantsOption 1 Option 2 Option 3

Status Quo 18 25 22EVEL 40 31 36Regions 9 -- --English Parliament

16 13 25

Independent England

-- 15 --

Don’t Know 17 16 17

What England WantsOption 1 Option 2 Option 3

Status Quo 18 25 22EVEL 40 31 36Regions 9 -- --English Parliament

16 13 25

Independent England

-- 15 --

Don’t Know 17 16 17

Not Just Scotland

Future of England Survey 2014

Not just Scotland and England

The Uncivic Culture• Diffuse support much

diminished?– 45% Yes– A quarter support status quo in

England• Support now much more

instrumental and conditional– Constitutional strains about

economic benefit, attractiveness of alternatives?

– Can Conventions deal with this?