Society calls for country to "come together" post-vote
A "clear roadmap" is needed for the devolution of further powers to the Scottish Parliament following the outcome of the independence referendum, the President of the Law Society of Scotland said this morning.
Speaking after the 55% No to 45% Yes vote was finally confirmed, Alistair Morris said it was now "important for everyone to come together and respect the will of the people".
Despite the "impassioned and at times difficult" campaign, with strong views and emotions on both sides, Mr Morris said the referendum had been "a triumph of democracy", with a record turnout and many thousands of people registering and voting for the first time. "We should all be proud of this", he stated.
Turning to the promises on devolution, he continued: “During the referendum campaign, we were repeatedly assured that a No vote was not a vote for the status quo. The three main UK parties signed a commitment to devolve further powers from Westminster to the Scottish Parliament. We now need a clear roadmap, both for reaching a consensus and for the delivery of any new powers. That process must reach out beyond the political parties and involve those from across civic Scotland. We need the broadest possible consultation and engagement if we are to ensure any new constitutional settlement is to stand the test of time.
“For our part, the Law Society worked closely with government and across the political parties when the Scottish Parliament was established in 1999 and when further powers were devolved. We stand ready once more and offer our assistance to the country as it moves on from this referendum and considers the next steps on its constitutional journey.”
The Society is holding a special conference on 3 October entitled “The People’s Verdict – so what now?”, which will look at the result and its implications for Scotland's economy, our society and its place in the world, and consider how the country can come together following the campaign. First Minister Alex Salmond and Scottish Secretary Alistair Carmichael have both agreed to give keynote speeches.
"Continuity of service" – Dean
For the Faculty of Advocates, the Dean, James Wolffe QC, said that while the Faculty had remained neutral throughout the campaign, individual members had campaigned on both sides.
He commented: “As it happens, today we mark the opening of the legal year in Scotland. I am glad that, although we may have been divided by the referendum question, we can come together today to celebrate and renew our shared commitment to the rule of law and to the administration of justice in Scotland and, indeed, in the United Kingdom.
“Scotland’s courts and Scotland’s bar served the people of Scotland long before 1707 and have done so ever since. Those great national institutions will continue to serve the people of Scotland – helping to secure in Scotland the rule of law, which is the essential foundation of a just and flourishing society.”
"Restoring certainty" – MacLeod
Among other reactions, banking and finance expert Rod MacLeod of Tods Murray solicitors welcomed the outcome as "providing some certainty to business in Scotland" – while warning that other issues lay ahead, such as the prospective in-out vote on UK membership of the EU.
Mr MacLeod remarked: “No matter which way you hoped the vote would go, today’s result should at least go some way to restoring a degree of certainty for the business community in Scotland and the rest of the UK on issues such as currency, pensions and EU membership, at least in the short term, and one would hope that this will help clear the backlog of instructions and delayed investment decisions in Scotland that have been on hold over the last six to 18 months.”