Nationalist governments in Scotland Following the 2007 Scottish Parliament election, the pro-independence Scottish National Party (SNP) won their first ever victory. They formed a minority government with plans to hold a referendum before 2011 to seek a mandate "to negotiate with the Government of the United Kingdom to achieve independence for Scotland."Choosing Scotland's Future: A National Conversation: Independence and Responsibility in the Modern World, Annex B Draft Referendum (Scotland) Bill The Scottish Government, Publications Unionist parties responded by establishing the Calman Commission to examine further devolution of powers, a position that had the support of the Prime Minister. Responding to the findings of the review, the UK government issued a white paper in November 2009, on new powers that would be devolved to the Scottish Government, notably on how it can raise tax and carry out capital borrowing, and the running of Scottish Parliament elections. The proposal was criticised by the UK parliament opposition parties for not proposing to implement any changes before the next general election. Scottish Constitution Minister Michael Russell criticised the white paper, calling it "flimsy" and stating that their proposed Referendum (Scotland) Bill, 2010, whose own white paper was to be published five days later, would be "more substantial". According to The Independent, the Calman Review white paper proposals fall short of what would normally be seen as requiring a referendum. These proposals would ultimately form the basis of the Scotland Act 2012.
nationalist governments in scotland following the 2007 scottish parliament election the pro-independence scottish national party (snp) won their first ever victory they formed a minority government with plans to hold a referendum before 2011 to seek a mandate "to negotiate with the government of the united kingdom to achieve independence for scotland"choosing scotland's future a national conversation independence and responsibility in the modern world annex b draft referendum (scotland) bill the scottish government publications unionist parties responded by establishing the calman commission to examine further devolution of powers a position that had the support of the prime minister responding to the findings of the review the uk government issued a white paper in november 2009 on new powers that would be devolved to the scottish government notably on how it can raise tax and carry out capital borrowing and the running of scottish parliament elections the proposal was criticised by the uk parliament opposition parties for not proposing to implement any changes before the next general election scottish constitution minister michael russell criticised the white paper calling it "flimsy" and stating that their proposed referendum (scotland) bill 2010 whose own white paper was to be published five days later would be "more substantial" according to the independent the calman review white paper proposals fall short of what would normally be seen as requiring a referendum these proposals would ultimately form the basis of the scotland act 2012