1978 Shetland referendum

16 March 1978 (1978-03-16)
In view of the proposals for devolution for Scotland, do you agree that the Shetland Islands Council should continue to press for Shetland's position to be considered through the establishment of a Commission as proposed by Mr J. Grimond?
Results
Choice Votes  % Yes 9,126 89.88% No 1,028 10.12% Valid votes 10,154 99.29% Invalid or blank votes 73 0.71% Total votes 10,227 100.00% Registered voters/turnout 14,242 71.81%

In March 1978 a referendum was held in Shetland regarding the position of the isles within a potential Scottish Assembly. The isles' MP Jo Grimond had submitted an amendment to the Scotland Bill seeking to establish a commission in the event of a successful vote for a Scottish Assembly. This amendment faced opposition from the Secretary of State for Scotland, Bruce Millan. With Jo Grimond's support, the Shetland Islands Council held the referendum to gauge the electorate's support for its position in the hope that it would give the council a mandate to push for separate consideration for Shetland in the Bill.

The question asked was:

In view of the proposals for devolution for Scotland, do you agree that the Shetland Islands Council should continue to press for Shetland's position to be considered through the establishment of a commission as proposed by Mr Grimond?

Results

Referendum results

Choice	Votes	%
Yes	9,126	89.9
No	1,028	10.1
Total votes	10,227	100.00
Registered voters/turnout	14,242	71.8
Source: Shetland in Statistics, 1980[1]

Aftermath

The referendum provided a resounding victory for the Council and Grimond's position, and the Scotland Act 1978 would contain provisions for setting up a commission for Orkney and Shetland.^[2]

Plans for a Scottish Assembly ultimately failed as a result of the 1979 Scottish devolution referendum, ensuring a continuation of the status quo for Shetland. However, the constitutional debate fostered in part by the referendum led to the creation of the pro-autonomy Shetland Movement.

References