How will Scotland be governed?
The White Paper Project: Version 1.0
Author / Creator: Common Weal
Media type: Policy Paper
Date published: 2018
The White Paper Project is an attempt by Common Weal to explore the methodology, content and structure of a revised White Paper for Scottish independence.
Preparing Scotland digitally for independence
Author / Creator: Gordon Morgan
Media type: Policy Paper
Date published: November 2017
Most tax collection, borders and customs, and foreign affairs, which are mostly reserved areas, would need to new IT systems established upon independence. The methods and costs are examined.
Foundations for Freedom: A discussion paper on the process for establishing an independent Scotland’s Constitution
Author / Creator: W. Elliot Bulmer
Media type: Discussion Paper
Date published: May 2018
A provisional constitution should be worked out by a Constitutional Convention before the next Referendum
A Citizens’ Assembly for the Scottish Parliament
Author / Creator: Common Weal
Media type: Policy Paper
Date published: 2020?
A Citizens’ Assembly will gather citizens’ opinions, enabling political decisions to be made after getting citizens’ considered and informed judgement. The overarching benefit of a Citizens’ Assembly in the Scottish Parliament would be a profound increase in the legitimacy of Scottish laws .
Renew: Six policies that can refresh the Scottish Government’s domestic agenda
Author / Creator: Common Weal
Media type: Policy Paper
Date published:
Policies to renew the Scottish Government’s domestic agenda:
- Create a Scottish National Investment Bank
- Build the homes and infrastructure that people need
- Create a world-class childcare system.
- Give more power to citizens.
Data Protection and Democracy
Author / Creator: Peter Ryan
Media type: Policy Paper
Date published:
Examination of the expansion of data collection and its use as a tool for the manipulation of elections. There are recommendations which will help safeguard our democracy against unfair or malicious influence from companies or foreign states.
Our Democracy Is Not For Sale
Author / Creator: Peter Ryan
Media type: Policy Paper
Date published:
The UK’s electoral process has lax regulation around digital political adverts. The current fines levied risk becoming actively “costed in” to campaigns mounted by well-funded yet unscrupulous organisations.
Development Councils: A Proposal For A New System Of Local Democracy In Scotland
Author / Creator: Robin McAlpine
Media type: Policy Paper
Date published:
A new tier of local government - Development Councils - is required to have truly local government with a range of powers drawn from existing authorities. This is achievable within the existing powers of he Scottish goverment.
Transparency in Public Finance – the role of good data
Author / Creator: Common Weal
Media type: Policy Paper
Date published:
There should be a single portal for Scottish public sector data. Making numbers have meaning for people should be the primary aim of public data. There should be a single portal for Scottish public sector data which would be open to Freedom of Information requests. And it should identify what information the public wants from public data.
Constitution for Scotland; an Interactive Consultation
Author / Creator: Constitution for Scotland
Media type: Web site
Date published:
The Constitution sets out the conditions under which the people agree to be governed. It lays down the basic principles of the State, the structures, and processes of government, defines the limits within which our politicians, at all levels, must operate and the fundamental rights of citizens in a higher law that cannot be unilaterally changed by an ordinary legislative act.