Yes or No? Older people, politics and the Scottish Referendum in 2014

Abstract

In this article we report on the issues, experiences and patterns of response to the independence referendum with particular reference to older voters. By older voters we are referring to the 61+ age group, although information cited from different opinion polls can refer to slightly different age ranges. We interpret the data through the lens of informal learning, that is, by understanding the referendum as a process of action and reflection that developed as people engaged with the arguments through different media and educative experiences in everyday life environments. Our view differs markedly from the dominant narrative applied to explain the pattern of voting amongst older members of the Scottish electorate.