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Scottish independence: What is purdah and why is it important? Scottish independence: What is purdah and why is it important?
(about 2 hours later)
Accusations are flying that ministers on both sides of the Scottish independence debate are breaking pre-election rules by attempting to sway voters with policy plans.Accusations are flying that ministers on both sides of the Scottish independence debate are breaking pre-election rules by attempting to sway voters with policy plans.
As the referendum on 18 September approaches, the Government is banned from publishing material that argues “for or against any outcome” as part of “purdah”.As the referendum on 18 September approaches, the Government is banned from publishing material that argues “for or against any outcome” as part of “purdah”.
The 28-day period comes before all votes, including general elections, to restrict official information to the bare facts and stop major policy decisions to avoid biasing the upcoming vote.The 28-day period comes before all votes, including general elections, to restrict official information to the bare facts and stop major policy decisions to avoid biasing the upcoming vote.
But on Sunday, George Osborne announced specific plans to enable Scotland to gain greater devolution in the event of a No vote.But on Sunday, George Osborne announced specific plans to enable Scotland to gain greater devolution in the event of a No vote.
“You will see in the next few days a plan of action to give more powers to Scotland; more tax powers, more spending powers, more powers over the welfare state,” he told the BBC.“You will see in the next few days a plan of action to give more powers to Scotland; more tax powers, more spending powers, more powers over the welfare state,” he told the BBC.
George Osborne said Scotland would be given enhanced devolution powers after a 'no' vote Both David Cameron and Ed Miliband have dropped engagements in England this week for a last-minute dash to Scotland as they scramble to save the union.George Osborne said Scotland would be given enhanced devolution powers after a 'no' vote Both David Cameron and Ed Miliband have dropped engagements in England this week for a last-minute dash to Scotland as they scramble to save the union.
Recent opinion polls have showed a late surge in support for independence, with a YouGov poll in the Sunday Times putting the “Yes” vote ahead for the first time, by two percentage points.Recent opinion polls have showed a late surge in support for independence, with a YouGov poll in the Sunday Times putting the “Yes” vote ahead for the first time, by two percentage points.
The Government in Westminster agreed to abide by any of the Scottish Government’s rules for purdah in the Edinburgh Agreement, despite not being legally bound to it.The Government in Westminster agreed to abide by any of the Scottish Government’s rules for purdah in the Edinburgh Agreement, despite not being legally bound to it.
According to the bill, restricted material includes “information on the referendum, issues relating to Scotland becoming and independent country, arguments for or against any outcomes and anything designed to encourage voting”.According to the bill, restricted material includes “information on the referendum, issues relating to Scotland becoming and independent country, arguments for or against any outcomes and anything designed to encourage voting”.
After the agreement was made, Scotland’s Deputy First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, said: “I have no reason to question its good faith on that. I fully expect the UK Government to honour that commitment in full and I have no reason to expect it will not do so.”After the agreement was made, Scotland’s Deputy First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, said: “I have no reason to question its good faith on that. I fully expect the UK Government to honour that commitment in full and I have no reason to expect it will not do so.”
Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said she would not question Westminster's 'good faith' on purdah Pro-independence bloggers, including Wings Over Scotland, claimed Mr Osborne’s statement and other politicians’ comments on a devolved Scotland broke purdah rules. Pro-independence bloggers, including Wings Over Scotland, claimed Mr Osborne’s statement and other politicians’ comments on a devolved Scotland broke purdah rules.
But a spokesperson for the UK Government said the planned announcement of a “plan of action” would not violate purdah because it would come from pro-union parties, rather than the Government itself.But a spokesperson for the UK Government said the planned announcement of a “plan of action” would not violate purdah because it would come from pro-union parties, rather than the Government itself.
“The purdah is in place to prevent taxpayers' money being spent on referendum campaign material,” he added.“The purdah is in place to prevent taxpayers' money being spent on referendum campaign material,” he added.