by Malcolm Harvey, ESRC Associate, Scottish Centre on Constitutional Change

The social media reaction to the Scottish Government White Paper “Scotland’s Future” was much as you would expect, divided by party loyalty.  Those who support a Yes vote were understandably excited by the launch, noting the opportunity it provided the Scottish Government to set out their stall – and to answer 650 of the most common questions about independence.  Those who support the Union were critical of the decision to hold the launch in Glasgow and not, as is customary for government policy, in the Scottish Parliament.

As usual with social media, there were some light-hearted moments.  Sunday Post political editor Andrew Picken noted a rainbow over the venue where the paper was launched, while Scotsman political editor Eddie Barnes noted that the Guardian journalists were given “international media” accreditation for the launch and the symbolism of this.  (The Scottish Government had simply run out of “domestic” media passes, so nothing more should be read into this!).

On policy, there was much consideration of the Scottish Government’s proposals for thirty hours of childcare per week in term time for all three and four-year-olds, as well as vulnerable two-year-olds.  Yes voters were effusive with their praise for the policy while Better Together questioned why the Scottish Government was not already pursuingthe policy, given it is already devolved. 

Glasgow’s only Conservative councillor David Meikle challenged his own side to publish their prospectus for staying in the Union.  In the parliamentary debate during the afternoon, Independent MSP Margo MacDonald, pointed out that the White Paper made independence “look easy”.  Nevertheless, Scotland on Sunday deputy editor Kenny Farquharson regarded the White Paper as “impressive”.  Duncan Hothersall, however, was disappointed that the White Paper – funded by the public – read more like a party manifesto and Caron Lindsay argued that it comprised an SNP wishlist, not a blueprint for independence.

The Twitter hashtags #indyref and #indyplan provide more reaction (NB: we cannot guarantee that the language here is suitable for all audiences).