HARVIE TO FM: REAL PARTICIPATION SHOULD START POST-YES
Patrick Harvie, Green MSP for Glasgow and Co-convener of the Scottish Greens, today used First Minister's Questions to urge Alex Salmond to involve the Scottish public in the drafting of Scotland’s constitution as soon as there is a Yes vote rather than waiting till 2016.
The Scottish Government this week announced its intention to publish an interim constitution this summer. This would be written entirely by the SNP Government, and would come into effect upon independence in 2016. A constitutional convention established after the Scottish elections would then prepare a permanent constitution.
Green Yes, the Scottish Green Party's campaign for a Yes vote in the independence referendum, believes a creative and participative process should begin as soon as there is a Yes vote. It should be able to shape all aspects of the transition, including the interim constitution, and there should be no constraints on the issues addressed.
Patrick Harvie MSP said:
"A Yes vote should be an immediate opportunity to re-engage and reconnect with voters who've felt frozen out of politics, and also to allay the concerns of those who voted No. We should capitalise on the energy and ideas being generated by the independence debate, rather than wait until after the elections in 2016.
"While I welcome the First Minister's comments on the need for a constitution that is people-led, I will continue to make the case for putting the public in the driving seat from day one. During the crucial post-referendum period we should involve everyone in Scotland in making the key decisions which will set Scotland’s direction for the exciting years ahead."