Poll plea

Published on 05/07/2012 00:00

The article highlighting a poll which shows support for devo-plus (4 July) doesn’t tell the whole story. Rather than being in favour of any particular option, most people feel shut out of the debate about Scotland’s future.

A poll commissioned by the Future of Scotland campaign found that 71 per cent of people think politicians have failed to engage them and 69 per cent have still not had any involvement in the debate about the referendum.

Despite this, more than two thirds of people want a full and open debate that doesn’t just talk about powers but about how any changes will impact on the issues that matter to them – whether that be employment, welfare or the environment. Not powers for power’s sake, but powers for a purpose. We need to address this disconnect.

The Future of Scotland poll also suggested significant support for a second question on more powers for the Scottish Government, with 59 per cent of both Labour and SNP and 57 per cent of Liberal Democrat voters favouring a second question.

While we don’t take a view on a second question ourselves, we do want to see parties set out their visions for Scotland’s future and addressing the real issues that matter to voters.

John Downie

Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations

Mansfield Place

Edinburgh