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
Advert

Recent Comments

  • Mick Taylor
    @TristanWard. I have never been Mike my entire life. Please don’t take it upon yourself to unilaterally change my name...
  • David Le Grice
    Oddly the article leaves out the full context of the Kirklees result. This was a lib dem ward prior to the may elections which reform gained from us. So winnin...
  • David Warren
    Delighted to have contributed to the win in Almondbury by making several hundred phone calls to voters. Winning Here!...
  • Tristan Ward
    @ Mike , yes an encouraging night....
  • Mick Taylor
    A rather good council by-election week. I see the doomsayers are not saying that our performance is terrible this week, but they're not saying anything positive...