News story

David Cameron signs historic deal granting Scottish referendum

PM signs deal with Scotland's First Minister today granting Holyrood the power to hold a historic referendum on independence.

From:
Prime Minister's Office, 10 Downing Street
Published
15 October 2012
This was published under the 2010 to 2015 Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government

Speaking in Edinburgh, Mr Cameron said聽:

This marks the beginning of an important chapter in Scotland鈥檚 story and allows the real debate to begin.

It paves the way so that the biggest question of all can be settled: a separate Scotland or a United Kingdom? I will be making a very positive argument for our United Kingdom.

It is now up to the people of Scotland to make that historic decision. The very future of Scotland depends on their verdict. It is that important. This agreement delivers the people鈥檚 referendum.

David Cameron met Alex Salmond in Edinburgh聽where both leaders signed the agreement permitting the referendum, expected to be held in autumn 2014.

Today鈥檚 landmark event聽is facilitated聽by聽a technical measure known as a Section 30, which passes power from Westminster to Holyrood to legislate on the referendum.

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Prior to聽signing the agreement, the Prime Minister visited Rosyth Dock Yard in Fife聽to see progress being made building 聽new Queen Elizabeth Class aircraft carriers. Read the to Rosyth Dock Yard workers and apprentices.

Updates to this page

Published 15 October 2012