Draft Independence Referendum Bill

Background

Last year the Scottish Parliament passed the Referendums (Scotland) Act 2020. That Act set out detailed conduct and campaign rules that can be used for any referendum on a devolved subject-matter. The timing and the question posed at such a referendum would be set by a further Act of the Scottish Parliament.

Scottish Government Ministers have been clear that a referendum on Scottish independence should be held within the next term of the Parliament, taking into account the COVID-19 pandemic.