People and Parliaments
I have never supported independence in Scotland - and probably never will.
But I have no problem with being asked to express my point of view in a referendum - after listening to the debate and different points of view.
To me that's what democracy is all about - and sometimes it's good for the people to have their say in a referendum - instead of elected politicians deciding what's good for the rest of us.
Generally speaking, I think it would be a good thing for the country - for citizens to be more involved in making decisions.
How about a popular vote to put the council tax up - now that would put the cat amongst the pigeons?
A referendum on independence could easily be held on the same day another vote was taking place - to keep down the cost.
Say on the same day as the local council elections - the Holyrood or Westminster elections - or even elections to the European Parliament.
Surely in this day and age it should be possible to devise secure ways of voting by e-mail or text - which might even encourage greater participation.
Finding imaginative ways to involve ordinary people in big decisions is a great challenge - not always the best way, perhaps, on some issues - but neither is leaving power in the hands of tiny groups of politicians.
But I have no problem with being asked to express my point of view in a referendum - after listening to the debate and different points of view.
To me that's what democracy is all about - and sometimes it's good for the people to have their say in a referendum - instead of elected politicians deciding what's good for the rest of us.
Generally speaking, I think it would be a good thing for the country - for citizens to be more involved in making decisions.
How about a popular vote to put the council tax up - now that would put the cat amongst the pigeons?
A referendum on independence could easily be held on the same day another vote was taking place - to keep down the cost.
Say on the same day as the local council elections - the Holyrood or Westminster elections - or even elections to the European Parliament.
Surely in this day and age it should be possible to devise secure ways of voting by e-mail or text - which might even encourage greater participation.
Finding imaginative ways to involve ordinary people in big decisions is a great challenge - not always the best way, perhaps, on some issues - but neither is leaving power in the hands of tiny groups of politicians.
