Scottish Referendums

Political Shifts in Position Since 1979

Labour Politicians

Brian Wilson was Chairman of the Labour Vote No committee. He says the current Government proposals are 'significantly different' to those put forward in 1979. Mr Wilson cites the tax-raising powers as the main difference. He also says that 18 years of Tory government, which most Scots did not vote for, has helped to change his mind.

Robin Cook was a vice-chair of the Labour Vote No committee. He was also a leading spokesman for Scotland Says No. He also says that the election of a Tory government, despite the fact that the majority of Scottish seats were not held by the Conservatives, influenced him in his change of attitude.

Tam Dalyell was also a vice-chair of the Labour Vote No committee. He remains sceptical about devolution, though his current position is that he would vote 'no' to the first question, i.e. whether there should be a Scottish parliament, and 'yes' to the second, i.e. that the Parliament should have tax-raising powers.

Conservative Politicians

Malcolm Rifkind, pro-devolution in 1976

Malcolm Rifkind was a member of the Conservative Yes Campaign and resigned as a shadow Scottish spokesman over Conservative party policy during the passage of the Scotland and Wales Bill in 1976. (NB this was a different Bill to the separate Scotland and Wales Bill introduced in 1977 and passed in 1978)

Struan Stevenson was a member of the Conservative Yes Campaign. He now runs the "No, Yes" Campaign.