The Scottish Electorate and the Scottish Parliament

The general election of the 1 May 1997 saw a Labour government returned to office for the first time in 18 years and placed firmly on the agenda the prospect of a parliament for Scotland. In the run-up to the election the Labour party had promised Scotland a referendum on the establishment of a parliament and, shortly after taking the reins of government, passed legislation allowing the referendum to take place. Held on the 11 September 1997, the referendum asked the Scottish people to vote on two issues: whether or not a parliament should be established and whether a parliament should have tax varying powers. Scotland awoke on the 12 September to the news that the people had supported both propositions by impressive majorities.