Britain: Supreme Court considers Scotland’s request for independence referendum

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If the case is positive, the referendum will be held on October 19, 2023 – In 2014, 54% were in favor of remaining in the United Kingdom, but after Brexit the situation has changed.

Britain’s Supreme Court is considering the government’s request from today Scotland to hold a new referendum on the region’s independence and their decision is expected within six or eight weeks.

Despite repeated denials from the British government, Scottish Prime Minister Nicola Sturgeonhead of the pro-independence SNP, announced in June that he wanted to hold a new referendum on the region’s independence in 2023.

Anticipating a legal battle with the British government, Sturgeon turned to the High Court to rule on whether the Scottish Parliament has the power to legislate on the issue without London’s consent.

“The issue would end up in the courts sooner or later and better sooner,” he added, reiterating that if Supreme Court rules in favor of Scotland, the “consultative” referendum on independence will take place on October 19, 2023.

If the referendum does take place, it will be “consultative” and London will have to agree before Scotland gains independence.

Should Scotland be an independent country?‘, that’s the question Sturgeon wants to put to Scots, who, polls show, are divided.

In the 2014 referendum 54% were in favor of remaining in the UK.

But Scottish independence campaigners reckon Brexit has turned the tide, with 62% of Scots wanting their region to rejoin the EU as an independent state.

London reckons something like this can happen once in a generation.

The new prime minister Liz Truss has appeared particularly determined, stressing that “will not allow» a referendum. “I am absolutely clear about the fact that there should not be another referendum before the new generation,” she said.

Based on the first referendum, former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson ruled out a second vote saying it could be a “once in a generation” thing.

“Self-Determination”

If the Supreme Court ultimately vindicates Sturgeon and allows a new referendum to be held, the Scottish Prime Minister will have won her bet.

And in the event of a court defeat, Sturgeon has already warned that the next general election, scheduled for 2024, will be a “de facto referendum” campaigning only on the issue of independence.

The SNP won the 2021 Scottish election on the promise of a new referendum after the pandemic, stressing that “the right to self-determination is a fundamental and inviolable one”.

Edinburgh could bypass the central government and create its own legal framework to hold a referendum, but London opposes that prospect, arguing that Scotland cannot decide unilaterally on an issue such as UK unity .

“It is unlikely that the court will vindicate the SNP, but those in favor of (Scotland remaining in the UK) should not see this as a final victory,” said Akas Pon of the Institute for Government.

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