In 2014, Scotland had a referendum on its independence, and slightly over 55% chose to remain a part of the United Kingdom.
After judges determined that another independence referendum cannot be held without the support of Westminster, Nicola Sturgeon vowed to find another means “for the Scottish people to express their will.”
After this morning’s ruling, the Scottish first minister declared that she will continue to advocate for independence, stating, “We must and will find another democratic, legal, and a constitutional way for the Scottish people to express their will. That can only be an election, in my opinion.”
She stated in Edinburgh, “As long as I have breath in my body, I will not abandon the fundamental principle of democracy.”
She stated, “It is no longer a question of whether Scotland will be independent, no matter how crucial that decision is. Now, it’s more fundamental.
“The question now is whether we even have the fundamental democratic right to select our future.
“From this day forward, the independence movement is equally concerned with democracy as it is with independence.”
Ms. Sturgeon stated that the next general election, which must take place before January 2025, will be a de facto independence referendum.
“A political party can and should be extremely transparent about the reason it seeks public support.
“In this event, the SNP’s objective will be to establish majority support for independence in Scotland, exactly as in a referendum, so that we may achieve independence.”
“The citizens will decide”
Ms. Sturgeon stated that the SNP will “start and mobilize a significant campaign in defense of Scottish democracy” and that if the Scottish people continue to demonstrate a desire for independence, it will finally have to be acknowledged.
A second independence referendum would require authorization from Westminster, the Supreme Court concluded unanimously.
Lord Reed, the president of the court, stated that legislation enabling a second vote would pertain to “reserved concerns,” placing it outside of Holyrood’s jurisdiction.
Ms. Sturgeon proposed a second referendum on October 19, 2023, dubbed Indyref2.
In 2014, Scotland had an independence referendum, and slightly over 55% chose to remain inside the United Kingdom.
Since Brexit, the pro-independence SNP, which has run the country since 2007, feels it has the authority to organize another referendum due to its continuing electoral success and the change in circumstances.
Ian Blackford, leader of the SNP in Westminster, asked during Prime Minister’s Questions, “What right does a man without a mandate have to deny Scottish democracy?”
Other SNP representatives voiced their displeasure with the decision on social media.
Dave Doogan wrote, “The people will decide, and Scotland will become independent.”
Douglas Ross, leader of the Scottish Conservatives, stated that the SNP must now “get back to work, abandon their obsession with the referendum, and concentrate on what matters most to the people of Scotland.
Anas Sawar, leader of the Scottish Labor Party, added, “We must now focus on the difficulties facing our nation, from growing costs to the NHS crisis.”
