Question
The Prime Minister was unequivocal last month when he told the House that “exactly the same situation” for a referendum applies in Scotland as in Northern Ireland. The legal mechanism for a referendum on Irish unification is detailed in the Northern Ireland Act 1988, but there is no equity across these islands for an equivalent law for Scotland. When will the Secretary of State deliver on the Prime Minister’s words, and bring forward legislation to amend the Scotland Act 1988 and enshrine the people of Scotland’s equal right to choose their own future?
Answer
The Prime Minister on these Benches was making a very basic and clear comparison, which is that there is no consensus in favour of a border poll in Northern Ireland, and there is certainly no consensus in favour of a referendum in Scotland.
Verdict: AMBER (28/100)
The question asked when legislation amending the Scotland Act 1988 would be introduced. The reply does not give a timetable or say whether such legislation will be brought forward. It defends the Prime Minister's comparison and says there is no consensus for a border poll or Scottish referendum, which suggests no such bill is planned but never states it. Because the answer is hedged and only partly responsive, the person who asked would likely need to submit a follow-up for a clear answer.
How we got there
| Question item | Coverage | Specificity | Rationale |
|---|---|---|---|
| When the Government will bring forward legislation to amend the Scotland Act 1988 to provide a mechanism for a referendum on Scottish independence, equivalent to the Northern Ireland Act 1988 mechanism for a referendum on Irish unification. | Partially Addressed | Hedged | The item asks when legislation amending the Scotland Act 1988 will be introduced, but the reply never gives a timetable or says whether such legislation will be introduced. It defends the Prime Minister's comparison and says there is no consensus for a border poll or a Scottish referendum, which implies no legislation is warranted but does not explicitly decline to bring it forward. |