Should people from the Rest of the EU have a say in Scotland's Constitutional affairs?

Question

With the elections coming up, Political parties are preparing for the event by issuing voting forms written in non-english for the benefit of migrant and foreign workers, as a means to encourage them to vote. Does anyone think that giving people who were not born here or registered as a citizen of Scotland the right to vote here is a good thing? Or does anyone think that only those born here, with an invested interest in the countries future, as well as it's history, should be considered as viable voters?

Ahem, English people listen up.. Only Scottish MPs have a say in Westminister's Affairs.. if you want to nip at my heels with little digs about the wee hill to your northern border then why not just cast SCOTLAND out of the uk? I'd thank you for it.. as i'm sure the North Sea Oil and Gas that's off OUR coast would be much better controlled by us anyway.. (What's that?)

Answer 1

Scotland understands the Act of Union. This is the first real constitutional act of union. Scotland sent their members of the House of Commons, and certain persons of the Scottish House of Lords to the UK parliament.

Ireland is constituionally different.

Answer 2

EU citizens are entitled to vote in European, Scottish, Welsh, Northern Ireland, London, and local council elections, but not UK Parliamentary elections. An exception is that Irish citizens can vote is UK Parliament elections as well, as can those from Malta and Cyprus which are also in the Commonwealth. These are part of EU reciprocal regulations.

Commonwealth Citizens and British Overseas Territories citizens can vote in all elections, although reciprocal arrangements only exist with some Caribbean Islands.

So, responding to an earlier answer here, a UK citizen in Malta could vote in local elections and European elections in Malta, but not Maltese Parliamentary elections. This is in line with EU reciprocal arrangements. There is no Commonwealth reciprocal arrangement, so a Maltese citizen could vote in a UK General Election (if they live here) because they are from a Commonwealth Country, but a UK citizen in Malta could not vote in a Maltese General Election because there is no reciprocal agreement with Malta for Commonwealth citizens.

Is that clear enough?

Answer 3

That is a very good question. So migrant workers are being encouraged to vote? At risk of sounding prejudiced (and all who know me know I really am not) it would seem strange since it would be difficult for them to have a grasp of the issues important to Scottish people. And for the limited understanding I have, migrant workers for the most part are not here for the rest of their lives so it's strange that they would have the right to vote and shape the political picture of the country while they are here.

But I suppose if they do vote, it will encourage the political parties to ensure that they have something to offer migrant workers in their policies, thus protecting their welfare too.

Answer 4

I think mojo summed it up. As a Scot living in Lithuania, under EU Law, I'm entitled to vote in Lithuanian local and Euro parliament elections but NOT allowed to vote in parliamentary or Presidential elections. This is an EU wide ruling.
HOWEVER - what is the status of the Scottish parliament in Westminster and Brussels eyes. do they see it as just a local body? if so then anyone resident in scotland would have the vote.

Answer 5

It's a very good point, I am Scottish born and bred, but I live in Malta with my Maltese husband, he has the right to vote in my country and has done in the past, I have lived here for over 15 years and I am not entitled to vote here, I can work and pay taxes, but not allowed to vote, so if a poxy little country like Malta can get away with it, then why not Scotland.

Answer 6

They pay taxes. They have children in schools. They use public transport. They use infrastructure. For these and other reasons they have the right to voted. Paying taxes being the main one. They are members of Scottish society, just like they are members of Irish, English and Welsh. All part of societies should have a say in how the government governs.

Answer 7

Be nice even if the English did as the Scots have a say in the affairs of the English

Answer 8

no they should not, just the scotts, the reason we have been over run with imigrants is for the pusrpose of stopping any british nation from escaping the e.u. and spoiling the politicians gravytrain and perks.King charles was executed as a traitor for bringing foreign armies in against the english, thats what blair has done by using immigrants against the scotts welsh and the english, by defeating us all by using their votes.

Answer 9

Why not - the Scots poke their nose into English affairs.

Answer 10

No. It's Scottish concerns and only they should decide what happens.