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Parliamentary
What is the Government trying to achieve?
As a Government document the White Paper breaks the mould as it puts forward ideas that are not just those of the Government that created it. For instance, although it is made clear in the White Paper that independence is the preferred option of the Government, it goes into some detail regarding the option of enhanced devolution. The White Paper has also made room to address some of the criticisms that could be thrown at it. It presents independence as the end point of devolution, which some may see as an attempt to take away any fear the Scottish public may feel at the idea of a complete and immediate break from the union.
The appendix to the White Paper contains the Referendum (Scotland) Bill and an example of a ballot paper for the referendum. Some believe that the Bill is unlikely to ever be tabled, with it being placed at the back of the paper as a panacea to placate traditional SNP supporters and fulfil SNP manifesto pledges, while achieving their real aim which is to kick start debate.
As a popular mandate will be needed to change the Scotland Act, the present Government's approach appears to be steering the population towards a climate of thought more hospitable to their aims.
Mairi Sharratt
mairi.sharratt@shepwedd.co.uk
18 September 2007