Two main cross party campaigns have emerged since the announcement of the referendum, arguing the cases for and against Scottish independence. While both bring together political parties, they put forward non-partisan arguments for why people should vote yes or no. In the paragraphs below they describe themselves in the own words.

Better Together

“Better Together is the cross party campaign that promotes the view held by millions of Scots: that Scotland is a better and stronger country as part of the United Kingdom.

As different parties we have come together on this issue because with millions of our fellow Scots we believe our best future is to be part of the United Kingdom.

Our case is not that Scotland could not survive as a separate country – it is that being part of the United Kingdom is the best possible choice for our future. We can have the best of both worlds – a distinctive Scottish Parliament without losing the strength and security of the United Kingdom.

In a referendum everyone’s vote will count and everyone’s voice needs to be heard. We will speak up, very loudly and very clearly, for the millions who believe we are better together.”

For more information please visit their website: Better Together

Yes Scotland

“Yes Scotland is the main non-partisan campaign promoting a vote for independence in the 2014 referendum.

The reason for being independent is a simple one. It is fundamentally better for all of us if decisions about Scotland’s future are taken by the people who care most about Scotland – that is by the people of Scotland. It is the people who live here who will do the best job of making our nation a fairer, greener and more successful place.

Today, for example, we have a government in Westminster that most people in Scotland did not vote for, and yet that government is able to take decisions that impact heavily on families and communities in Scotland. As an independent country we will always get the government Scotland chooses – a government that will take forward policies that voters believe will best meet the needs of people in Scotland.”

For more information please visit their website: Yes Scotland

Activists in Scotland have also started smaller campaigns. This article in the Guardian provides a quick summary of these groups although new ones may have been set up since it was written.