James Gilmour: The ballot on independence must have two questions

The problem for all advocates of “one straightforward question” is that Scottish electors have been way ahead of them for several years. “Independence”, “devo-max” and “status quo” all have significant support. This is clear from Scottish Social Attitudes Surveys and public opinion polls.

Whether the politicians like it or not, we are faced with a multi-option decision. That is the reality of the divided views among the electors. Unless the referendum is grounded in that reality, there will be no “clarity” about the outcome.

The only way to get a decisive result is to ask two questions. But there is more than one way of asking two clear questions. The first question could be a Yes/No question on independence, but only if it were the first stage of a two-stage referendum. The second question, on devo-max, would be asked in a second referendum only if a majority said “No” in the first referendum on independence.

For this two-question approach to work and deliver decisive results, it would be essential for the commitment to the two stages to be written into the Referendum Act.

Politicians have hinted there could be discussions about “more devolution” later, if a majority voted No. But that won’t do. The commitment to the second question must be made up-front and enshrined in law.

The issue could be settled in one referendum, but the two questions would then have to be quite different. The first question would be a “gateway question”, asking whether we wanted “change” or to keep the “status quo”.

The second question would ask which “change” we wanted: “independence” or “devo-max”. The second question would take effect only if a majority voted for “change” in the first question.

Both questions should be on the same ballot paper. It would also be in the voters’ best interests to answer both questions, no matter what their answer to the first question.

• Dr James Gilmour is a member of the Electoral Reform Society.