Let’s shift the dial

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Prospectus for a new State

To win independence we need to persuade more voters. Research shows conclusively that one of the biggest barriers for those voters is that they don't think we have a properly worked-out plan for what happens if they vote YES. We do not have this prospectus – and we need it.

A serious and credible but concise and readable prospectus document that answers the questions people have will be an essential tool in taking the next step towards independence. That is what this project will deliver.

Common Weal is the only independent organisation with the breadth of experience and the networks of expertise to deliver this. There is serious work that has been done. We covered much relevant material in How To Start a New Country, The Scottish Currency Group has produced expert material, the Scottish Independence Convention produced the Transition Papers, Scottish CND is working on the employment implications of a new security approach.

But there is work that is still missing, some existing work needs to be updated, all the work needs to be integrated into a single prospectus and the whole thing needs to be presented in a way which is easy to read and comprehend and which answers the questions voters have without equivocation or obfuscation. Before we can do the public education work, we must show that the transition path is credible and well-prepared.

Yes, Common Weal is a left wing think tank, but we took a stance we described as 'policy neutral' when we prepared How To Start A New Country. We set a rule that we were focusing only on the process of establishing technical systems, not how they would be used once they are in place.

Our aim is to produce a prospectus which can be supported by the whole independence movement. Where we think there may be multiple credible solutions and differences of views, we will include two or more options. Where it can make firm commitments it will do so; where final outcomes can't be stated because they will rely on the outcome of negotiations, we will set out a negotiating stance.

We believe that it is possible to produce a prospectus which creates unity around a purpose and we believe we can deliver it within a year.

It is also essential that this project has credibility with our audience. It is not enough that the movement is convinced in the prospectus but also that we can convinced voters. To help do that we are establishing an Scottish Independence Commission to oversee and quality-assure this project. It is made up of eminent figures with years of experience in domestic law, international law, international relations, financial systems, public sector accounting and defence and security.

We will employ a law graduate part time for a year to enhance the existing in-house Common Weal resources. That post will work with the above ‘Commissioners’ to identify and succinctly and seriously answer legitimate questions about what would happen after a Yes vote. This will also provide some resource to enable Common Weal to free up core time from the team to contribute to this. We will produce an extended briefing for independence activists to help them use the prospectus in campaigning, to support people in answering key questions and to explain the rationale behind various decisions.

We have secured some core funding from the Scottish Independence Foundation but we are seeking to raise a further £10,000 so that we can deliver this project effectively.

Common Weal is an independent, non-profit think tank whose finances are overseen by a Board of well-respected figures from the pro-independence movement and beyond. They will ensure proper governance of this project as it progresses.

Our Commissioners

  • Prof. Richard Murphy

    Emeritus Professor of Accountancy at the University of Sheffield and a specialist in public sector accounting and tax.

  • Dr Gail Lythgoe

    Lecturer in Global Law at Edinburgh University and Associate at the Centre for Global Law and Governance.

  • Richard Norton-Taylor

    Former Defence and Security Editor of The Guardian and currently a Managing Editor with Declassified.

  • Frances Guy

    Former British ambassador and UN Women's representative who is the chief executive of Scotland's International Development Alliance.

  • Ian Stewart

    Chair of the Scottish Currency Group and a former senior banker who introduced the SWIFT payment system.

  • Joanna Cherry KC

    Eminent KC, formerly of Lawyers for YES and formerly SNP MP for Edinburgh South West (2015-2024).

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