Post on 17-Jan-2016
SHOULD SCOTLAND BECOME AN
INDEPENDENT COUNTRY?
ANALYZING THE SCOTTISH INDEPENDENCE QUESTION
IRC 10
OBJECTIVES • To develop an understanding of the issues surrounding the
2014 Scottish Independence Referendum
• To understand the benefits and disadvantages, both for the UK and Scotland, of Scotland becoming an independent country
• To understand the complexity of a decision such as this, and the far-reaching implications geographically, economically, socially and politically.
• To develop our research and presentation skills
• To follow along in real time with the voting and make predictions
• To analyze the vote results and interpret the implications for other nations around the world
KEY FACTS
• Scotland is part of the United Kingdom
• A Scottish Parliament was formed in 1999, though still dependent on the UK
• In May 2011, The Scottish National Party won the parliamentary election.
• The SNP’s main goal is to achieve independence from the UK
• This gave them a mandate to hold a referendum vote, to ask Scotland if they want to gain independence from the UK
• The Vote takes place next week!
KEY PLAYERS
The YES Campaign
• Led by First Minister Alex Sammond
KEY PLAYERS
The No Campaign
• Led by Alistair Darling, Labour MP for Edinburgh West
BASIC ARGUMENTS
YES, Scotland should become an independent country
• Scotland should be in control of its own destiny
• Too many decisions made by Westminster
• Oil – Scotland have a majority right to the North Sea oil and gas reserves
• Currency – Scotland want to keep the British Pound
Some of the benefits for Scotland……
• The right to make its own decisions and control its destiny
• Scotland has a strong economy with lots of potential
• Proposal to add more funds to the welfare budget to protect families, the elderly, university students etc.
BASIC ARGUMENTS
NO, Scotland should NOT become an independent country
• Britain is one of the most successful political and social unions
• Scotland is stronger under the UK
• Oil – this industry is in decline and so more important to stay united
• Currency – the UK believe an independent Scotland should not be able to use the pound
Some of the benefits of a union…
• Scotland has the best of both worlds…a parliament that can make decisions, while sharing the risks and the rewards of the UK
• Opportunity for further devolution with a ‘No’ vote
WHO GETS TO VOTE?
WHAT DO YOU THINK?
IRC 10 ANALYSIS1. Should Scotland Become an Independent Country PP• Introduction to the key issues
2. Scottish Independence: the essential guide • Background information on where this referendum came from
3. Scotland For Richer or Poorer BBC Documentary• An outline of the pros and cons of independence
4. Research/Presentation activity • Researching one side of the argument via articles, news reports, TV debates
and campaign websites
5. Presentation activity via Pecha Kucha style presentation• 6 minute presentation to sell your side of the argument followed by a
discussion of the key issues and prediction
6. Vote analysis • Review the voting results after they happen and discuss the implications for
Scotland, the UK and everyone else.