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Brexit: what are Scotland’s options and choices?

Professor John Curtice, the UK’s foremost expert on opinion polling talked us through the following – what are the likelihoods of a second referendum on the EU, or a second referendum on independence for Scotland? And what about an early general election? 

Drew Scott, Professor of European Union Studies at the University of Edinburgh, and Co-Director Europa Institute spoke on the legal and constitutional options for Scotland and the UK.  Drew is a member of the First Minister council of European advisers, but will be speaking in a personal capacity. 

Professor Christina Boswell, Director of Research, School of Social & Political Science, University of Edinburgh, covered the part immigration might play in the Brexit negotiations.

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Britain’s Decision

Professor Laura Cram spoke about David Cameron’s renegotiation of Britain’s terms of membership of the EU – what has been agreed and what difference will it make?

Two important aspects of the negotiation were then be discussed by Professor Christina Boswell on migration, and Dr Daniel Clegg on welfare.

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Self Improving Schools

Professor Don Ledingham

This event was far more interactive than the usual David Hume Seminar. Rather than prescribing an alternative, Professor Don Ledingham – who in his career has been a head teacher and a director of education – asked the audience for help in arriving at a new model of school improvement, which might be described as ‘self directed schools’.

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Eliminating the deficit in this parliament

Carl Emmerson, Deputy Director, IFS

In Emmerson’s talk he provided a critique of the Chancellor’s fiscal targets and assessed the issues around whether or not they were likely to be met, looking at the risks around the outlook for both revenues and spending. The focus was the UK and touched on Scotland specific issues.

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Transforming Scotland – opportunities for the next Parliament

Nicola Sturgeon MSP, First Minister of Scotland

Addressing an audience at the David Hume Institute on Tuesday evening (23rd February 2016), the First Minister argued that tax powers must be used for Scotland’s long-term social and economic benefit. The First Minister outlined how the Scottish Government has used existing tax powers to good effect. The Small Business Bonus Scheme has helped support small businesses in tough financial times; Land and Building Transactions Tax has made the property market more progressive, and Landfill Tax is being increased to encourage recycling. Ms Sturgeon also discussed how the proposed new tax powers can be used to complement the existing powers.

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A bright, liberal, green Scotland – fit for the future

Willie Rennie MSP, Leader Scottish Liberal Democrats

With a casual disregard for our civil liberties, tokenism on the environment, a health service under extraordinary pressure and the once proud Scottish education system slipping down the global league the need for a liberal, progressive alternative has never been more urgent in Scotland. Willie Rennie set out the Liberal Democrats’ bright, liberal, green plan for the next five years to get Scotland fit for the future. With just five MSPs in Holyrood the party has punched well above its weight. Willie Rennie said that with more MSPs the party can punch even harder.

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