News In Focus

Expert forum launches to inform referendum

1 October 2012

An expert body with the aim of exploring key issues surrounding the Scottish independence referendum is foramlly launched today.

Comprising seven well known academic lawyers from five universities, the Scottish Constitutional Futures Forum intends to provide "rational and non-partisan" information to voters over the next two years as the promised polling date approaches.

Members are Professors Christine Bell, Stephen Tierney and Neil Walker of Edinburgh University, along with Professor Alan Page of Dundee University, Professor Paul Beaumont of Aberdeen University, Professor Tom Mullen of Glasgow University and Professor Aileen McHarg of Strathclyde University.

Through a series of public seminars and workshops, along with a blog, they aim to examine questions such as defence, currency and EU membership, as well as a possible constitution for an independent Scotland.

A statement from the Forum said: "We have a unique opportunity to debate and decide Scotland's constitutional future in a manner that is inclusive, wll informed and open minded.

"But for this to happen we need to ensure the circulation of information and the discussion of ideas is not confined to the official campaigns and their party political backers. Our Forum plans to contribute to this wider process."