1979 Scottish devolution referendum

1979 Scottish devolution referendum

1 March 1979

Do you want the Provisions of the Scotland Act 1978 to be put into effect?
Results
Choice
Votes %
Yes 1,230,937 51.62%
No 1,153,502 48.38%
Valid votes 2,384,439 99.87%
Invalid or blank votes 3,133 0.13%
Total votes 2,387,572 100.00%
Registered voters/turnout 3,747,112 63.72%

Results by local voting area
Yes:      50–60%
No:      50–60%      60–70%      70-80%

A post-legislative referendum was held in Scotland in 1979 to decide whether there was a sufficient support for a Scottish Assembly proposed in the Scotland Act 1978 among the Scottish electorate. This was an act to create a devolved deliberative assembly for Scotland. A majority (51.6%) of voters supported the proposal, but an amendment to the Act stipulated that it would be repealed if less than 40% of the total electorate voted in favour. As there was a turnout of 64% the "Yes" vote represented only 32.9% of the registered electorate, and the act was subsequently repealed.

A second referendum to create a devolved legislature in Scotland was held in 1997 under a newly elected Labour government, which led to the enactment of the Scotland Act 1998 and the creation of a devolved Scottish Parliament in 1999.