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Scottish independence: MSPs to debate referendum vote Scottish independence: MSPs to debate referendum vote
(about 2 hours later)
Holyrood is to discuss whether Scots living outside Scotland should be given a vote in the independence referendum.Holyrood is to discuss whether Scots living outside Scotland should be given a vote in the independence referendum.
Scottish Labour MSP Elaine Murray will lead the members' debate later.Scottish Labour MSP Elaine Murray will lead the members' debate later.
She has highlighted the case of James Wallace from Dumfries who is campaigning for Scots living outside Scotland to get the referendum vote.She has highlighted the case of James Wallace from Dumfries who is campaigning for Scots living outside Scotland to get the referendum vote.
Under the Scottish government's current referendum proposals, non-resident Scots will not be eligible to vote on Scotland's constitutional future.Under the Scottish government's current referendum proposals, non-resident Scots will not be eligible to vote on Scotland's constitutional future.
Currently, anyone eligible to be on the electoral register in Scotland will be entitled to vote in a possible 2014 referendum.Currently, anyone eligible to be on the electoral register in Scotland will be entitled to vote in a possible 2014 referendum.
Ahead of the debate, Ms Murray, who is a Dumfriesshire MSP, backed the online campaign of Mr Wallace, 23, who will be unable to vote after he moves to London for work next month.Ahead of the debate, Ms Murray, who is a Dumfriesshire MSP, backed the online campaign of Mr Wallace, 23, who will be unable to vote after he moves to London for work next month.
His internet site, titled "Let Wallace Vote", is aimed at bringing the issue to the public's attention.His internet site, titled "Let Wallace Vote", is aimed at bringing the issue to the public's attention.
Mr Wallace said on his webpage: "Please, I beg you, help me gain the basic right to vote on the most important vote I will ever have in my life."Mr Wallace said on his webpage: "Please, I beg you, help me gain the basic right to vote on the most important vote I will ever have in my life."
Ms Murray said: "Scots working outwith Scotland at the time of UK general elections are allowed to vote, so why should they be banned from voting in one of the most important decisions in Scotland in over 300 years?Ms Murray said: "Scots working outwith Scotland at the time of UK general elections are allowed to vote, so why should they be banned from voting in one of the most important decisions in Scotland in over 300 years?
"It seems massively unfair. The fact is, with youth unemployment in Scotland rising, more young Scots are being forced to look outwith Scotland for jobs."It seems massively unfair. The fact is, with youth unemployment in Scotland rising, more young Scots are being forced to look outwith Scotland for jobs.
"It seems hugely unfair that they should be stopped from having a say in Scotland's future."It seems hugely unfair that they should be stopped from having a say in Scotland's future.
"I hope MSPs from all parties come together to support the Let Wallace Vote campaign.""I hope MSPs from all parties come together to support the Let Wallace Vote campaign."
The SNP government said its preferred date for a referendum is autumn 2014. The Westminster government has insisted Holyrood does not have the authority to hold a legal referendum and will require its permission.The SNP government said its preferred date for a referendum is autumn 2014. The Westminster government has insisted Holyrood does not have the authority to hold a legal referendum and will require its permission.
The Scottish government said that was not the case and it could hold a referendum which was binding.The Scottish government said that was not the case and it could hold a referendum which was binding.
Last week, Scottish Secretary Michael Moore announced in the House of Commons that the coalition government would hold a consultation on the independence referendum.Last week, Scottish Secretary Michael Moore announced in the House of Commons that the coalition government would hold a consultation on the independence referendum.
He said he was proposing that the same electorate should vote in the referendum as a Scottish Parliament election.He said he was proposing that the same electorate should vote in the referendum as a Scottish Parliament election.
Mr Salmond is due to announce details of his government's consultation next Wednesday - on Burns day. The href="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1998/46/contents" >Scotland Act 1998 states that the electorate for a Scottish Parliament election most be someone who is;
  • entitled to vote as electors at a local government election in an electoral area falling wholly or partly within the constituency
  • and is registered on the register of local government electors at an address within the constituency.
For Scots living abroad, the current rules stipulate that if you had been registered to vote in the UK in the previous 15 years you can make an annual declaration allowing you to remain on the electoral register in the constituency where you were last registered while living in the UK.
Once registered, you can vote at any UK parliamentary or European parliament election which occurs while you are on the register.
However, you cannot vote in local government elections or in elections associated with the devolved administrations in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.