Scotland's referendum and the future of the UK

In less than a year, the people of Scotland will vote on whether to become an independent country once more. Yet although the referendum campaign is well under way, there remains significant uncertainty about the implications of a Yes vote. How would an independent Scotland be governed? What currency would it use? How sustainable would its level of public spending be? What kind of relationship would it have with the rest of the UK, and the EU?

The future of Scotland and the UK after a No vote is also far from clear. The Union of 1707 would remain intact, but the devolution of significant additional powers – for instance over taxation and welfare policy – would remain on the agenda. How should the next phase of devolution be negotiated? Is the UK heading towards a federal system? And how should the UK government prepare for the aftermath of the referendum – whichever way it goes?

To discuss these issues and more, the Institute for Government was pleased to bring together a panel of expert commentators on Scottish politics and government:

• Iain McLean, Professor of Politics at Oxford University, and co-author of Scotland’s Choices
• Iain Macwhirter, Glasgow Herald and Sunday Herald, and author of Road to Referendum
• Fraser Nelson, Editor of The Spectator
• Lesley Riddoch, Co-founder of Nordic Horizons, and author of Blossom: What Scotland Needs To Flourish

The discussion was chaired by Akash Paun, Fellow, Institute for Government.

@ifgevents #indyref