Tories accuse Holyrood of rigging rules

Scottish Government ministers have been accused of “rigging the rules of a future referendum” over the proposed role of the election watchdog.

The criticism from the Conservatives arose from the Scottish Government’s reluctance to allow the election watchdog to re-evaluate the Yes or No question used for the 2014 independence vote.

The Electoral Commission had given evidence that it “must” be able to provide its views and advice to Parliament about the wording of any referendum question, regardless of whether it had been used before.

MSPS on the Constitution Committee had unanimously ordered Constitutional Relations Secretary Michael Russell to come to an agreement with the organisation – something he failed to do despite “a constructive meeting”.

However, Mr Russell managed to pass an amendment to the proposed Bill at its second stage – something he described as a “major concession” – to let Parliament decide if it wants the independent watchdog to test a previously used question within two parliamentary terms.

For a referendum held before the next Scottish Parliament election, MSPS would now be able to vote to allow or prevent the Electoral Commission carrying out research into re-using the 2014 question.

If another independence referendum were to happen after the 2021 Holyrood election, the Electoral Commission would be required to assess any question used.