Scottish independence: Church urges focus on social justice issues

THE CHURCH of Scotland has called for the debate on Scottish independence to address whether leaving the Union would better enable Parliament to tackle social issues such as poverty and ill health.

The Reverend Ian Galloway, convener of the Church of Scotland’s Church and Society Council, argued that the debate should not be “simply one of constitutional change in and of itself”.

Instead, he argued the “key issue” was how any such changes would impact on social justice issues.

His comments came as the Church of Scotland released details of its response to the UK Government’s consultation on the independence referendum.

The coalition Government at Westminster has argued that Holyrood does not have the power to hold a legally-binding referendum on the constitution and has suggested using a section 30 order to temporarily increase the Scottish Parliament’s powers so a vote could be held.

The Church of Scotland said it would “seem reasonable” to do this, but it stressed a section 30 order should only be used with the agreement of the Scottish Government.

The Church’s submission stated: “This method should only be used by agreement. The Church would not support any process if it were imposed.”

However, the Church did not state when it thought the vote should take place, stressing only that there needs to be “sufficient time” for the issues to be “fully debated”.

On the issue of whether 16 and 17-year-olds should be allowed to vote - something the Scottish Government backs but the UK Government opposes - the Church said it did not support extending the existing franchise.

It said it had not taken a view on whether the vote should be a straight choice between independence and staying in the UK, or should include the option of devolving more powers to Holyrood.