News and opinion

Following his recent interview with Kenny Farquharson in The Times, Stephen Noon, former chief strategist at Yes Scotland and now a research scholar at the University of Edinburgh, explores more fully his thoughts on how to move beyond polarised constitutional debate in Scotland.

As the court rejects the UK Government attempt to avoid a judgment on the substantive issue, Richard Parry assesses the political prospects for both sides going into the full hearing of devolved competence of an independence referendum.

Centre on Constitutional Change Co-Director Meryl Kenny and Fellows Nicola McEwen and Michael Keating are taking part in this year’s Festival of Politics, three days of debate in August about the issues that matter most to people in Scotland.

With the fall of Boris Johnson commanding attention, Richard Parry reviews important policy developments in the same week that set the stage for the next phase of constitutional change.

Mark Shephard, Senior Lecturer at the University of Strathclyde, examines the scenario of the SNP campaigning solely on the issue of independence in the next General Election and variations in mandate definitions across the different political groups and academics.

In a statement last week, Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced she has referred the question of whether a referendum on Scotland's independence is within the Scottish Parliament's powers to the UK Supreme Court. CCC Associated Fellow Alan Page asks whether the Supreme Court will accept that reference and answer the question.

Nikos Skoutaris gives his perspective on the legal issues around a referendum on Scotland's independence and the 'constitutional crisis' facing the UK.

Aileen McHarg, Professor of Public Law and Human Rights, discusses the paths to independence for Scotland following the First Minister's statement earlier this week, including a new 'plan C' - the next UK general election.

Richard Parry discusses the pressures from political strategy and legal compliance that lie behind the First Minister’s announcement of a referendum date.