The White Paper Project is an attempt by Common Weal to explore the methodology, content and structure of a revised White Paper for Scottish independence.
― This project is aimed at identifying the work that Scotland needs to do between an independence referendum and independence day to ensure that it has the infrastructure it needs to run a viable democratic country.
― It therefore does not cover aspects that are already operating and substantially devolved such as health and education.
― A National Commission should be established tasked with the creation of a Scottish State. The Commission shall be governed by a Council drawn from a cross section of civic society with no single political party, interest group or sector able to secure a majority role on the Council.
― Interim Borrowing Powers should be granted to the Commission to enable it to fund its operations and build the institutions that Scotland requires.
― The Commission shall be overseen by a Transition Commission comprised of UK and Scottish Government Ministers
― Key institutions required by an independent Scotland include: A reformed Scottish Parliament, a fully independent Scottish civil services, mechanisms for holding data on residents in Scotland, a Central Bank, a Tax Agency, A Pensions Agency, a Defence Strategy, Borders and Customs infrastructure, a Consular network and others.
― Negotiations will have to be initiated with rUK and with international bodies on issues such as debt and asset splits and membership of institutions such as the UN, NATO, the EU and others (as well as discussions with the Scottish people on whether or not to join these institutions).
― A provisional budget for the setting up of Scotland’s institutions is estimated at around £18.8 billion.