Acc.13569 December 2014 Inventory Acc.13569 The Scottish Plebiscite Society National Library of Scotland Manuscripts Division George IV Bridge Edinburgh EH1 1EW Tel: 0131-623-3876 Fax: 0131-623-3866 E-mail: [email protected] © National Library of Scotland GB 233 Acc.13569. Correspondence and papers, 1946-1990 and undated, of Peter Thomson concerning The Scottish Plebiscite Society. This society was formed by Peter Thomson (c.1914-1991) to press for a plebiscite on the question of a Scottish parliament. In 1949 it conducted its own plebiscite in Kirriemuir and in which 85% of the local electors participated. Thomson’s continuing activity for the cause resulted in his dismissal as sheriff of South Strathclyde in 1977. Following his dismissal, Thomson devoted his time to holding a series of privately-funded plebiscites in Scottish towns such as Stirling, Hawick, St. Andrews and Banff. After the 1979 referendum he campaigned for the independent oversight of government inspired polls to avoid the danger of bias and controlled elections expenditure to ensure parties fought on equal terms. For further material about The Scottish Plebiscite Society see also Acc.13546. Presented, November 2014. 1. Correspondence concerning the Scottish Plebiscite Society, 1977-1978. 2. Correspondence of MPs with Peter Thomson, 1978-1979. Most of this correspondence concerns the 1979 Referendum on a Scottish Assembly. Includes letters of: Alick Buchanan-Smith (2 letters) Dennis Canavan (3 letters) Tam Dalyell (2 letters) Lord James Douglas-Hamilton (1 card) Douglas Henderson (1 letter) Russell Johnston (2 letters). 3. Correspondence to and of Peter Thomson mostly concerning the 1979 Referendum on a Scottish Assembly, 1978-1979. 4. Correspondence and papers concerning media coverage during the 1979 Referendum, 1978-1979. Some of the letters refer to suspected media bias against the ‘Yes’ campaign. 5. Miscellaneous correspondence concerning information requests from Peter Thomson, 1978-1990, with a letter from Roy Hattersley, concerning the proposed reform of the House of Lords, 23 May 1990. 6. Notices of postal ballots in Banff, Hawick and St. Andrews, with ballot papers and envelopes for the Renfrew plebiscite, undated. 7. Correspondence and papers concerning the Renfrew Plebiscite, February-October 1988. 8. Correspondence concerning the future of plebiscites and the Scottish Plebiscite Society, 1988. 9. Results of local plebiscites in Lanark (1984), Banff (1985), Hawick (1986), St. Andrews (1987) and Renfrew (1988). 10. News cuttings, 1946-1988. .