Democracy Flashcards
Give 2 examples where the Scottish people had no say in the greater UK political scene.
- Brexit Referendum 2016
- The promise SNP made to hold an Independence Referendum if the UK left the EU
Describe how the Brexit Referendum 2016 shows that Scottish people have little voting power in greater UK elections.
- In this referendum, 62% of Scots voted to stay in the EU with a whopping 84% turnout, but the UK still left the EU.
- Even with the Scottish government, the people’s voices are still being drowned out
Describe how the Promised Independence Referendum shows that Scottish Parliament have little power in decision-making for its independence.
- In 2022, the UK Supreme Court unanimously ruled that Scotland will not be allowed to have an independence referendum.
- Despite the presence of a Scottish Parliament, its voters can’t decide their future because an English power said so, which shows no power of the Scottish Parliament at a national stage.
Here’s a potential POI:
“The current devolved settlement in Scotland is beneficial. This is evident due to when examining the 2014 Independence Referendum of Scotland and with a high voting turnout, 55% of Scot’s voted to remain part of the UK. This reflects the democratic sensibilities of the nation.”
Object this statement.
- The only reason Scottish voters got heard that time was because it was only a Scotland-wide election.
- As soon as England is involved, the Scottish Parliament becomes useless and obsolete, as seen in the Brexit Referendum where England voted too.
Here’s another potential POI:
“The Brexit Referendum was fair because the majority of people still voted to be part of the EU”
Object this statement.
- It is not fair because the Scottish people still left the EU against their will.
- This shows how a Scottish Parliament is not effective enough in carrying out the will of its people, because Westminster doesn’t give the Scottish Government power to do so.
