Battle of the booklets as Edinburgh puts Yes case to young Scots

The Scottish government has published a summary of its case for independence aimed at young voters, the latest round in a battle of the booklets being waged by Edinburgh and London ahead of September’s referendum.

The UK government has already issued numerous leaflets that claim Scotland benefits greatly from its three-century-old union with England, and will on Monday begin delivering a 16-page booklet wrapping up its case to every one of Scotland’s more than 2.5m households.

The 13-page Scottish government booklet, targeted at newly enfranchised 16 and 17-year-old voters, offers a radically slimmed down selection of arguments culled from the 667-page white paper on independence it published last year.

The booklet – which features cheerful fonts and photographs of personable young people with colourful speech bubbles – says independence would mean all decisions about Scotland being made by the people who live in Scotland. “Independence would mean you’ll have more opportunities to succeed and build a career here in Scotland if you choose,” it assures young readers.

But it makes no mention of the Scottish National party’s hopes for a post-independence currency union with the remaining UK, which would involve monetary policy continuing to be set in London. Indeed, the booklet appears to assume a lack of interest in economic issues among young people since it makes no mention of the future of the pound at all.

Nor does it delve into doubts about whether Scotland’s policy of maintaining free higher education would be sustainable after independence, given the probable legal difficulties maintaining charges for English students. The booklet merely says the Scottish government is “committed” to free higher education.

Drew Smith, Scottish Labour’s constitutional spokesman, said young people would not be fooled by the “empty offers” of Alex Salmond, Scotland’s first minister. “Alex Salmond's latest effort to get ‘down with the kids’ looks clumsy and desperate,” Mr Smith said. “Young people know the best way to create jobs and opportunities is to work in partnership with our neighbours as part of a bigger labour market rather than separate off on our own.”

Such messages are also at the core of the UK government booklet, ‘What staying in the United Kingdom means for Scotland’.

While pro-union campaigners have criticised the Scottish government for spending public funds to develop and promote the case for independence, London is spending more than £700,000 to print and distribute its booklet, which ministers say offers voters the clear and reliable facts needed to make a decision on September 18.

However, while the main UK parties have promised further devolution if Scotland votes No, it is not discussed in the booklet. It also makes no mention of the post-referendum prospects for the Barnett formula block grant that allows Scotland to enjoy relatively generous public spending.