Second Scottish independence referendum ‘a long way off’ – Offord

The first minister last week confirmed the proposed ballot paper for a second referendum would ask: “Should Scotland be an independent country?” and voters would mark an “X” against options Yes or No.

The draft bill would be introduced into parliament if the Scottish government secured approval from the UK government.

It would include a date for the referendum once it was put before Holyrood.

The SNP had promised to publish the draft legislation in their first 100 days in government after the Scottish election in May.

Swinney said: “The world has changed fundamentally since 2014. So has the UK, and so has Scotland.

“Scotland is ready. The Scottish people are ready. It is time the UK government delivered.”

In line with current legislation, registered voters over the age of 16, as well as qualifying foreign nationals, would be able to vote in a second referendum.

Earlier this year, Prof Sir John Curtice of Strathclyde University said Scotland remained “more or less divided down the middle on the subject”.

He added: “Sometimes yes is a little ahead of no, sometimes it’s the other way around. Yes is typically stronger than it was in the actual referendum.”

Prime Minister Andy Burnham met Swinney ahead of the Commonwealth Games opening ceremony in Glasgow in July,

Afterwards a Downing Street statement said: “The prime minister stated up front that another referendum on independence was off limits because it would take our focus away from growing the economy and helping families with the cost of living.”