Scottish Democracy

The debate has finally got underway: should the Scottish people have a hereditary or elected head of state if they choose Independence in September 2014. I would personally like to see a competition between hereditary heirs such as Baliol; Bruce and Stuart etc, etc if it can be proved or presumed along the lines of the current laws of succession (girls allowed); the current monarchy - The Queen or Prince Charles or any of the Queen's children such as Princess Anne; together with any people who are suggested by the people such as Sean Connery; Billy Connelly; Kirsty Wark; Jacqui Bird etc etc and a no its a republic vote. Then let the people decide. Here is an interesting article kicking off the debate : Article in The Scotsman by Andrew Whitaker dated 29 July 2013 entitled "Scottish Independence Support for Monarchy Vote

Scottish Human Rights - Action Plan

The participation phase of Scotland’s National Action Plan on Human Rights has now completed. The Action Plan is being developed with the participation, views, shared expertise, advice and lived experience of individuals and organizations across the whole of Scottish civic life. The participation phase was crucial in setting out who has responsibilities, discerning where the barriers are to realising human rights, and ensuring that the Action Plan develops a range of solutions that are both achievable and practical. Participants were asked two questions: 1. Based on the evidence presented in the report Getting it Right?, or your own experience, what do you consider to be the most urgent human rights issues which should be addressed in Scotland’s National Action Plan for Human Rights? 2. What specific and achievable actions do you consider would best address the concerns you identify in your response to question 1? At the conclusion of the participation phase approximately 430 people had taken part in events hosted or supported by SHRC and partners. 144 written contributions were received, including 64 individual responses, 20 responses gathered at participation events, and 60 responses were made on behalf of organisations. To view the published responses (Click Here)Scottish Human Rights - Action Plan Participation Phase I put in two published responses. I have also put in a further two late responses which are not published.