After the referendum: options for a constitutional convention

Whatever the result of Scotland’s independence referendum, careful constitutional thinking will be needed. If Scots vote Yes, Scotland will need a new constitution and the rest of the UK will have to rethink its governing structures. Even in the event of a No vote, everyone agrees that the shape of the Union will need to change over the coming years. This paper examines how such constitution-making should take place. It sets out the options, gathers evidence from around the world on how those options might work, and weighs the advantages and disadvantages of each alternative. It concludes that constitutional proposals in the UK should best be developed by a convention comprising a mixture of ordinary members of the public and politicians; these proposals should be put to a referendum. This approach, the paper argues, offers the best route to high-quality debate, stronger democratic engagement, and, ultimately, deeper legitimacy for our governing structures.

Journal of the Constitutional Convention to revise and amend sec. 141 of the Constitution of Virginia held in the Old Hall of the House of Delegates in the State Capitol at Richmond, March 5, 6, 7, 1956.

Mode of access: Internet.

Journal of the Constitutional convention of the commonwealth of Virginia to amend the Constitution of Virginia for voting by certain members of the armed forces. Held in the old hall of the House of delegates in the state Capitol at Richmond April 30, May 1, 2, 22, 1945 [and]

J. Sinclair Brown, president of the convention

Report of the Canal Board in relation to the capacity of the Erie Canal to pass boats eastward, in answer to resolution of constitutional convention, passed November 25 : in Convention, December 20, 1867.

Mode of access: Internet.

New York Constitutional Convention index : a complete record of all proposed amendments introduced in the Convention beginning April 6, 1915.

"From April 6 to September 10, 1915."

Debates and proceedings of the Constitutional convention of the State of California. Convened at the city of Sacramento, Saturday, September 28, 1878 /

Mode of access: Internet.

A history of the Constitutional Convention of the State of Oklahoma /

Mode of access: Internet.

Manual of the Constitutional convention of Michigan, 1907.

Bibliography: p. [89]-142.

Proceedings and debates of the Constitutional convention of the state of Michigan : convened in the city of Lansing, Tuesday, October 22, 1907 ... Official report /

Both vols. have imprint date 1907.

Revised record of the Constitutional convention of the state of New York, May 8, 1894, to September 29, 1894.

I. May 8-August 1.--II. August 1-23.--III. August 23-September 6.--IV. September 7-29.--V. Documents. Delegates' index. General index and synopsis.

New York State finances and canals : speech of Hon. Samuel J. Tilden in the Constitutional Convention on the 11th Sept., 1867.

Mode of access: Internet.

Proceedings of the Constitutional convention of the state of Illinois convened January 6, 1920 ...

William S. Gray, John L. Dryer, Rodney H. Brandon, committee to edit the proceedings of the convention.

Reports of the Constitutional convention committee.

Mode of access: Internet.

Proceedings and debates of the constitutional convention held in 1867 and 1868 in the city of Albany /

Mode of access: Internet.

Official report of the proceedings and debates of the third constitutional convention of Ohio : assembled in the city of Columbus, on Tuesday, May 13, 1873 /

The constitution proposed by this convention was rejected by the people.