Scotland cannot hold an independence referendum without UK government approval, top court rules
david waker
3 min read
Scotland cannot hold an independence referendum without UK government approval, top court rules
TheU.K.’s Supreme Court on Wednesday told the Scottish government it can not hold a fresh independence vote without theU.K. government’s concurrence.
Supreme Court President Lord Reed said in broadcast remarks that the Scottish Parliament didn’t have the power to ordain on matters reserved to theU.K. Parliament, including the union.A vote was held in in September 2014 in which Scotland suggested to remain in theU.K. by 55 to 45.
The Scottish National Party, which backs independence, came a major political force when it won a maturity in the Scottish Parliament in the 2011 election.SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon, who has served as Scotland’s first minister since November 2014, has said her party was tagged on a “ clear pledge to give the people of Scotland the choice of independence. ”
In a speech following the decision, Sturgeon said she was dissatisfied by the decision but admired and accepted it.Still, the debate over whether another vote will be held is far from resolved, and the party will continue to push for Scottish independence and look for ways to hold another vote, she made clear.
Sturgeon said “ The route we take must be legal and popular for independence to be achieved. And as is getting clearer by the day, achieving independence isn’t just desirable, it’s essential if Scotland is to escape the disaster of Brexit, the damage of programs assessed by governments we do n’t bounce for, and the low growth, high inequality profitable model that’s holding us back. ”still, we must be clear moment that the Supreme Court doesn’t make the law — it interprets and applies it, ” she continued.
She said the court hadn’t reflected on whether there was a popular accreditation for a vote, which she called “ inarguable. ”Ian Blackford, leader of the SNP in the House of Commons, said the government was “ deny( ing) republic to the people of Scotland ” and to continue to block an election would mean the “ veritably idea that the United Kingdom is a voluntary union of nations is now dead and buried. ”
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak responded “ We admire the clear and definitive ruling of the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom. ”I suppose the people of Scotland want us to be working on fixing the major challenges that we inclusively face, whether that’s the frugality, supporting the NHS, or indeed supporting Ukraine. Now is the time for politicians to work together, and that’s what this government will do. ”
He also said the Scottish Parliament had strong devolved powers.Sturgeon in 2017 gained blessing from the Scottish Parliament to hold another vote after the terms of any Brexit deal came clear, but this was blocked by the also-U.K. Prime Minister Theresa May.
The SNP presently holds 64 out of 129 seats in the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh, with the remaining seats resolve between the Scottish Conservative & Unionist, Labour, Green and Liberal Democrat parties; and holds 44 of the 650 seats at theU.K. congress in Westminster.
Since the Brexit vote in 2016, one of its core arguments has been that Scotland suggested to remain in the European Union by 62 to 38. Sturgeon has said her party would incontinently seek tore-join the bloc with Scotland as an independent country, though questions remain over issues similar as trade and freedom of movement, and whether joining the euro would be a criteria of class.Last month, the party published an profitable prospectus arguing Scotland’s frugality would be “ stronger and fairer ” after independence.
