A written Constitution is central to making the case for Independence and is the international norm. Proposals for developing one provisionally via a Constitutional Conference before next referendum are given.
The case for Scottish independence depends upon an independent Scotland being a healthy, robust democracy. A strong, inclusive and reassuring constitutional foundation is necessary to ensure that. A written Constitution is the international norm. It is expected and demanded. No matter, therefore, how far-fetched the idea of adopting a written Constitution might be in the UK as a whole, in the context of an independent Scotland it has become a basic necessity.
The best course of action is to develop a fully worked provisional Constitution by means of a Constitutional Conference which should be as open, inclusive and representative as possible. However, it need not be a final settlement. There would be scope for a subsequent period of post-independence constitution-making, by means of an inclusive and participatory process, in which the issues that are avoided by the Conference in the name of stability and expediency – like, for example, the question of a republic or the expansion of socio-economic rights – could be addressed, should there be sufficient public demand.