The Scottish Government is pleased to announce the reestablishment of one of Scotland’s most venerated institutions - the Scottish Constitutional Convention.

We see that it is evident that disquiet remains over the constitution of Scotland, anot not only on the issues of social security devolution and sovereignty more generally. It is crucially important that a forum for discussion across civil society is developed for this for a couple of reasons.

Primarily parliamentary time is, of course, limited, and circular discussions amongst the same people can only take our country so far. Furthermore, it is important that all areas of civil society are represented in this discussion, limiting our viewpoints and ideas will only lead to further disputes in the not too distant future.

It is proposed that everyone in an interest in the national politic is able to contribute as a member of the convention. We do not wish to restrict membership but do reserve the right to remove people who are being disruptive because efficiency should also it priorities. Whilst hearings with any relevant may take up some time, we would seek to have a report produced prior to the parliamentary election scheduled for June.

Representation of all political parties, and certainly, local authorities are more than welcome. I will be an independent chair of the convention, largely apolitical, in order to helpfully guide the process to a timely close.