Election body wants ‘third question’

Independence or the status quo cannot be the only choices in a referendum, the Electoral Reform Society in Scotland has warned.

Responding to the UK government’s consultation on the referendum, ERS Scotland said it did not have a position on which options should be included on the ballot paper, but urged all parties to present voters with a clear choice between status quo and change.

It suggested holding a two-question referendum with an initial “gateway question” on status quo or change, and a second question on further devolution or independence. The society said: “Any format that does not allow all three main options to be considered during the one campaign is unsatisfactory.”

The society’s submission also gives support to the Scottish Government’s proposal to hold the referendum in autumn 2014, and said there was “no reason why 16- and 17-year-olds should not be allowed to vote”.