Tag Archives: george cunningham

Why 40% is the magic number in the Scottish referendum

Brazil v Scotland 22For some reason, 40% is a figure which has long exerted political significance.

That devolution for Scotland wasn’t introduced in 1979 wasn’t because a majority of those who voted didn’t want it: by 52% to 48% the Scottish voted in favour of establishing a Scottish parliament. However, a Labour MP, George Cunningham, introduced an amendment to the Scotland Act (1978) specifying a minimum turnout threshold of 40% of the electorate. The actual turnout of 33% meant Scottish devolution had to wait a further two decades.

I was reminded of …

Posted in Op-eds | Also tagged , , and | 41 Comments
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Recent Comments

  • Jana
    @Mick Taylor “ So, Ros, and all our other MPs, stop calling for referenda. They’re not democratic, they are always capable of manipulation and voters rarel...
  • paul barker
    I agree with the comments so far except for the calls to delay Electoral Reform until yet another General Election. The Voters have already spoken in favour of ...
  • Mick Taylor
    Ros, I was right with you until you used the word referendum. Every time there is a referendum, the power of MPs to make the decisions they were elected to mak...
  • Nonconformistradical
    @George Thomas "....but only if we recognise that many people get paid when they shouldn’t and many people don’t get paid (or paid enough) when they shou...
  • Steve Trevethan
    Thank you for a most relevant article. Might it assist the UK to become more of a genuine democracty if state education enabled furture citizens to question ...