What the independence referendums in Québec suggest about Scotland

Québec held independence referendums in 1980 and 1995, with voters opting to remain a part of Canada on both occasions. André Lecours assesses what lessons can be learned from Québec in the context of the referendum on Scottish independence due to be held on 18 September 2014.

He writes that while there are some striking similarities between the campaigns, there are also important differences, such as the absence of any debate about the majority required to trigger the process of secession. The Québec experience also suggests, among other things, that the SNP is unlikely to be tarnished in a ‘post-No’ Scotland, and that the debate on independence is certainly not closed.

• Primary Source

ESO: Scottish independence referendum, 2014 http://www.europeansources.info/record/scottish-independence-referendum-2014/

Blog: LSE British Politics and Policy at LSE: Scotland Independence Referendum http://blogs.lse.ac.uk/politicsandpolicy/category/scotland-independence-referendum-2/

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