Referendum round-up: Ireland

Get the latest on the referendum on our Scottish independence site. Picture: Jane Barlow

TODAY’S MAIN NEWS:

The Republic of Ireland government have been warned to remain neutral on the issue of Scottish independence, according to briefing notes from the country’s Foreign Affairs department.

In other news, Alex Salmond has told Commonwealth countries they have nothing to worry about over the prospect of Scottish independence, while the leader of the Welsh nationalist party Plaid Cymru is set to give a speech in Glasgow outlining her support for Scottish independence.

COMMENT AND ANALYSIS:

Our Scottish independence site showcases some of the best comment, analysis and opinion from across the web; here are some of our favourite articles from the last 24 hours.

Dr Tom Webster: Referendum is opportunity to build better society

• Edinburgh University historian Dr Tom Webster outlines his reasons for backing a ‘Yes’ vote in the Scottish independence referendum in this piece for National Collective.

John McDermott: This is what happens when you let young Scots vote

• John McDermott of the FT’s Off Message blog looks at the role that 16- and 17-year-old voters will play in deciding the Scottish independence referendum.

Michael Crick: Salmond’s Scottish sporting surge? Perhaps not

• Michael Crick, Channel 4 News political editor, looks at the political lift (or lack thereof) gained by leaders who preside over major sporting events.

Crick’s piece looks at the possible political ramifications of Scottish success or failure at the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games.

Paul Ames: Borderers worry about a new dividing line

• Paul Ames of Global Post visits the Scottish Borders, and finds the residents hold a unique identity that is “neither wholly English nor Scottish”.

Peter Hetherington: Glasgow puts ‘city deal’ before Scottish independence

• As the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games draw ever closer, Peter Hetherington of The Guardian looks at the city’s membership of the ‘Core Cities Group’ and its Labour council leader’s claims that Glasgow has more in common with large UK cities than it does with some other areas of Scotland.

Will the referendum be the ‘elephant in the stadium’ at Glasgow 2014?

• The Independent’s Chris Green looks ahead to the start of the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games, and the possible political dimension of the Games in light of the referendum debate.

Peat Worrier: The law’s delay [sic]

• The Lallands Peat Worrier blog looks ahead to this week’s UK Supreme Court hearing on two prisoners’ appeal for a vote in the Scottish independence referendum.

Andy Kerr: Disabled Scots demand a say in our future

• Andy Kerr, chief executive of Sense Scotland, addresses the need for Scots with disabilities to be heard in the Scottish independence referendum debate.

How would the UK fare without Scotland?

• The BBC looks at the possible geographical, statistical and economic impact of Scotland leaving the UK in the event of a ‘Yes’ vote in September’s independence referendum.

• Get the latest referendum news, opinion and analysis from across Scotland and beyond on our new Scottish Independence website

Referendum round-up: Ireland | Glasgow 2014