An analysis of the issues of the 2014 independence referendum.
The Scottish independence referendum of 2014 was a rare event in an advanced democracy. Under the Edinburgh Agreement between the UK and Scottish governments, both sides accepted the process and the question and pledged to respect the result.
The debate revolved around the meaning of Scottish and British identities; the economic consequences of each option; welfare; and Scotland’s place in Europe and the world. Risk and uncertainty were key factors. During the campaign, both sides sought the middle ground of ‘devolution-max’ and ‘independence-lite’ respectively.
Over the campaign, there was a substantial shift of voters from No to Yes, but on a five-point scale of constitutional preferences there was less movement. Following the referendum, it was the losing Yes side that made the political advance in the subsequent election, ensuring that the independence question would remain open.