Scottish independence: pros and cons of voting on Saturday October 18th

HOLDING the referendum on October 18th throws up a number of potential pros and cons. Here, The Scotsman lists the main arguments for and against holding the vote on this particular date.

The pros...

No clashes

Holding the vote on 18 October avoids major events such as the Ryder Cup, as well as UK political party conferences.

Turnout

Polls held on Saturdays are believed to boost voter turnout by between 4 and 5 per cent, suggesting that it is a better day for people to come out.

Novelty

A Saturday vote would also provide a novelty factor for the referendum, breaking new territory in British politics by moving away from the traditional Thursday.

Daylight

The date falls before the clocks go back, which means there will be reasonably long hours of light and no early dark nights affecting the poll.

Scottish bounce

For the SNP, the 2014 date comes at a moment of potentially high nationalist feeling, following a Year of Homecoming based around the 700th anniversary of Bannockburn and the Glasgow Commonwealth Games.

Political Calendar

Although there will have been elections earlier in the year, the date does not clash with them and gives parties plenty of time to refocus on the referendum.

No Westminster clash

The date falls before the Westminster election, which could then become a poll based on who will negotiate Scotland’s separation from the UK.

...and the cons

Delays

Holding a referendum on a Saturday means that there will be no final result declared until the Monday, because the Western Isles refuses to hold counts on a Sunday.

Holiday

18 October almost always falls during the school autumn break in Scotland, which means many people will be away on holiday when the historic vote takes place.

Party conferences

While the referendum would avoid the UK conference season for the main UK parties it would also turn them into a major platform for the pro-UK campaign.

Turnout

Saturdays are considered difficult for polls because people either stay at home or go away. Many people vote on their way to and from work.

Registration

18 October would also be difficult for voter registration, leaving many people in Scotland disenfranchised, and would make Alex Salmond’s hopes of 16- and 17-year-olds voting less likely.

Break with tradition

An 18 October referendum would be the first major electoral test to be held at the weekend, going against the British tradition of holding votes on a Thursday.

Weather

While the date avoids the early nights, it could still be affected by harsh weather as it moves away from the summer months, with concerns particularly for voters in rural and remote areas.