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A 'once in a generation' Independence Referendum
The tired old 'once in a generation' excuse for not allowing Scotland another referendum is really wearing thin. "Once in a generation" was a personal opinion even though it was mentioned twice in the document "Scotlands Future" to emphasise the importance of the event.
Once in a generation was not policy nor was it mentioned anywhere in the Edinburgh Agreement, section 30 order OR in The Scottish Referendum Bill. The Smith Commission Report after the referendum stated :
18. It is agreed that nothing in this report prevents Scotland becoming an independent country in the future should the people of Scotland so choose.
Alex Salmond interview.
[Watch Alex Salmond interview in a new window]
The Edinburgh Agreement [ The Edinburgh Agreement (pdf) ]
The Scottish Referendum Bill [ The Scottish Referendum Bill (pdf) which received Royal Assent on 17 December 2013]
Scotland Act 1988 Section 30 [ Scotland Act 1988 Section 30 ]
The Smith Commission Report [ The Smith Commission Report (pdf) ]
Scotlands Future [ Scotlands Future (pdf) A blueprint for an Independent Scotland]
The phrase once in a generation is used to emphasise the importance of an event. It is not a time limit or restriction on that event happening again.
UPDATED [7 Aug 2022] : Ciaran Martin, architect of the Edinburgh agreement clarifies the "once in a generation" slogan.
"I think the assumption seems to have been that the issue would go away rather than resurface. And there was this reliance on a slogan of once in a generation, but that was just that, a slogan. It's got the same constitutional standing as the £350,000,000 for the NHS per week on a bus".
[ Watch the video in a new window ]
Links to all the legal documents are listed above so whenever you hear the battle cry, "once in a generation", either link directly to this page or use it as a reference to find the documents quickly to end the argument.
Andy