1979 Scottish devolution referendum

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 A majority (51.6%) of voters supported the proposal, but an amendment to the Act stipulated that it would be repealed if less than 40% of the total electorate voted in favour.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was a turnout of 64% the "Yes" vote represented only 32.9% of the registered electorate, and the act was subsequently repealed.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