Open questions in Scotland's constitutional debate

The Union Question has no discussion forum. This page lists instead the questions most often argued over in Scotland's constitutional debate, with the articles in which we set out what is known.

• Who has the power to call a referendum? The 2014 vote followed an agreement between the two governments; in 2022 the UK Supreme Court ruled that Holyrood cannot legislate for one alone. See the 2017 Section 30 request.
• Is devolution secure? The Sewel convention is in statute but not legally enforceable. See the 2018 consent dispute.
• Is there a middle way? Home rule, federalism and confederation compared in a 'new union'?.
• Does nationality decide how people vote? On birthplace and the 2014 vote, see the case put to England; on the concepts, civic or ethnic nationalism.
• What can Catalonia teach? See 1 October 2017 and the declaration and recognition.
• Is the media fair to both sides? See the media and the debate.
• How should campaign groups govern themselves? See constitutions and AGMs.

For everything we have published, see the sections Explainers, Arguments, Events in context and Background.