Unionist campaigners are calling for a “truth commission”, which would independently check the veracity of any claims made around Scottish independence. They have urged the SNP government to set up such a body ahead of any future referendum.
Scotland in Union argues that, with a rise in so-called “post-truth” politics through the course of the Brexit referendum campaign and US election, Nicola Sturgeon should arrange for an independent panel of experts, supported by both campaigns, to arbitrate on the facts in any future Scottish referendum.
With both sides accusing the other side of misleading the public and voters unsure who to believe, it claims that the move would give the electorate more confidence in their choice.
“People are making decisions in elections and referendums, potentially with far-reaching social and economic consequences, based on competing ‘facts’ and contradictory information, not knowing what to believe,” said Alastair Cameron, director of Scotland in Union.
He added: “Think back to our referendum two years ago: Would we be able to keep the pound? Would we be better off under independence or in the union? Was another oil boom on the horizon? Would the NHS be privatised if there was a ‘no’ vote? Would ‘the vow’ be delivered? Would a separate Scotland be automatically in the EU?
“Both the UK and Scottish governments, and all the political parties, were participants in the referendum, and denounced each other throughout the campaign. With each passing week, the accusations of fibbing and exaggeration for political advantage grew louder, leaving the voters bemused and uncertain.”
With many of these issues still hotly disputed, the group has made a submission to the Scottish government’s consultation on the draft referendum. The group calls for an independent panel of experts approved by both sides who would adjudicate on behalf of the Scottish people to provide “indisputable, unvarnished facts”.
He added: “This truth commission, a team of unimpeachable fact-checkers, assembled on the basis of their independence and qualifications and respected by both sides, could be trusted to pick their way through the competing claims by the campaigns and to deliberate on who is being accurate and who is mistaken.”
