Campus-wide referendum to be held in February

Published: 1 February 2013

A broad coalition of student societies at the University of Glasgow are to hold a campus-wide referendum on Scottish independence.

A broad coalition of student societies at the University of Glasgow are to hold a campus-wide referendum on Scottish independence. Eight student societies - including the Dialectic Society, Feminist Society, and various political societies – will invite more than 20,000 undergraduate and postgraduate students to the ballot box on February 21st to vote on the question ‘Should Scotland be an independent country?’. This will be the first such large-scale poll of its kind.

A series of discussion events on aspects of the independence debate will be held in the run-up to the poll (hosted by both student unions, which will also act as polling stations). These include panels entitled ‘Gender and Independence?’ and ‘Stop the World: An Independent Scottish Foreign Policy’; a student debate; and a final, holistic debate on the evening of the poll. These events are open to the entire University community, and feature an eclectic mix of speakers ranging from commentators to activists, politicians, trade unionists, and some of Glasgow’s very own academics, as well as colleagues from Edinburgh and Strathclyde.  For the full line-up go to http://www.facebook.com/events/101019473410409/

The next event takes place on Wednesday 6th February in the Glasgow University Union’s Drawing Room from 6pm, and will see Edinburgh’s Christine Bell, Professor of Constitutional Law, discuss ‘Gender and Independence’ alongside Dr Marsha Scott (Engender), Labour MSP Keiza Dugdale, and Natalie McGarry (Women for Independence).

The referendum can also be followed on Facebook (www.facebook/guindyref) and on Twitter (@GUindyref, and using #GUindyref). The organisers can also be contacted by email: GlasgowUniScotlandReferendum@hotmail.com

First published: 1 February 2013

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