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Scottish independence: Ex-civil servant Jim Gallagher joins Better Together | Scottish independence: Ex-civil servant Jim Gallagher joins Better Together |
(about 9 hours later) | |
A former senior civil servant has been recruited to advise the official campaign to keep the Union, ahead of the Scottish independence referendum. | A former senior civil servant has been recruited to advise the official campaign to keep the Union, ahead of the Scottish independence referendum. |
Better Together said that one of Prof Jim Gallagher's key roles would be to advise on "policy and strategy". | |
He had previously worked closely on devolution matters at Whitehall. | |
The referendum on will be held on Thursday, 18 September when voters will be asked the "yes/no" question: "Should Scotland be an independent country/" | |
Prof Gallagher, a career civil servant who is now a research fellow, also headed a Scottish Executive department. | Prof Gallagher, a career civil servant who is now a research fellow, also headed a Scottish Executive department. |
He served as secretary to the Calman Commission, the body set up in 2007 to review the first decade of the Scottish Parliament. | He served as secretary to the Calman Commission, the body set up in 2007 to review the first decade of the Scottish Parliament. |
And he has also been advising Labour on the issue of a strengthened devolved parliament within the Union. | And he has also been advising Labour on the issue of a strengthened devolved parliament within the Union. |
Prof Gallagher said he would assist Better Together in putting forward a positive, persuasive case for the Union. | Prof Gallagher said he would assist Better Together in putting forward a positive, persuasive case for the Union. |
He will help co-ordinate thinking about Scotland's place in the wider UK and possible further powers for Holyrood - but has stressed that was a matter in the first instance for individual parties. | He will help co-ordinate thinking about Scotland's place in the wider UK and possible further powers for Holyrood - but has stressed that was a matter in the first instance for individual parties. |
Earlier this week, Scotland's Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said that the pro-Union campaign must set out in detail what a "no" vote in the independence referendum would mean for the country. | Earlier this week, Scotland's Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said that the pro-Union campaign must set out in detail what a "no" vote in the independence referendum would mean for the country. |
She said the Scottish government had provided "a compelling case for independence" in its White Paper. | She said the Scottish government had provided "a compelling case for independence" in its White Paper. |
Unionists must respond with a competing vision, she added. | Unionists must respond with a competing vision, she added. |