Referendums (Scotland) Bill

Author: Sarah Atherton, Iain McIver and Iain Thom

PDF Published: Wednesday 19 Jun 2019 (SB19-41)

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Overview
Report

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Overview
Report
- Introduction
- Can the Parliament legislate for referendums?
  - A referendum on independence?
- Background to UK legislation on referendums
- Background to the introduction of the Bill
- The Referendums (Scotland) Bill
  - Section 1: Power to provide for referendums
  - Section 2: Application of the Act
  - Section 3: Referendum questions
  - Franchise
  - Voting
  - Conduct rules
  - Campaign rules
    
    The referendum period
    
    Permitted participants and designated organisations
    
    Campaign finance: spending and expense limits
    
    The relevant period: restrictions on public authorities
    
    Donations
- How does the Bill compare to existing legislation?
  - The Scottish Independence Referendum Act 2013 and the Scottish Independence Referendum (Franchise) Act 2013
  - The Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000
  - The European Union Referendum Act 2015
- Lessons from referendums
  - House of Lords Select Committee on the Constitution
  - The Law Commissions
  - House of Commons Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee
  - The Independent Commission on Referendums
Sources

Image: Timeline for referendums

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Last Updated: 23/5 1:40pm

Image: Timeline for referendums

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