LONDON – Scotland’s leader told lawmakers in Edinburgh on Tuesday that she plans to hold another referendum on Scotland’s independence on October 19, 2023. However, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson insists it was not the right time for such a decision. Mood.
Prime Minister Nicola Sturgeon said the question will be the same as in Scotland’s first independence vote in 2014: “Should Scotland be an independent country?”
The British government of Johnson opposes a new referendum and has repeatedly said the issue was resolved in 2014 when 55% said they wanted to remain part of the UK.
The Scottish government requires a special order from Johnson to hold a referendum legally.
Sturgeon said she would ask the British Supreme Court to rule on the Scottish government’s right to hold the vote if Johnson does not give the green light.
She said Scotland’s top law officer referred the matter to the highest court on Tuesday.
She said she would write to Johnson to inform him of her plans.
Sturgeon, who heads the Scottish National Party and devolved government in Scotland, insists it is time to rethink the issue of independence, not least because Britain departed from the European Union – a move opposed by a majority of Scots.
“I determine to secure a process that will enable the people of Scotland, whether yes, no, or yet to be decided, to express their views in a legal, constitutional referendum so that the majority position is fair and can be established democratically,” she said on Tuesday. †
Johnson said he would study Sturgeon’s plans for a second referendum but stressed that “the country’s focus should be on building a stronger economy.”
“We will study it very carefully, and we will respond appropriately … I certainly think that together we can have a stronger economy and a stronger country,” he told reporters.
A spokesman for Johnson’s office said his stance is unchanged, and he “continues to think it is not the time to talk about a referendum.”
The spokesman said the government would not be involved in “hypotheticals” about whether it would open negotiations for Scottish independence if the Scots vote for it in a referendum next year.
Even if the referendum goes through as proposed, a majority vote will not make Scotland independent from the rest of the UK.
“For Scotland to gain independence after a yes vote, the legislation would have to be passed by the British and Scottish parliaments,” Sturgeon stressed.
Sturgeon says her party’s success in last year’s local elections gives her a mandate for a new referendum. While the Scottish National Party failed to gain overall control in the Scottish Parliament, the election of a record number of Scottish Green legislators means there is a majority for a new independence vote.
Sturgeon said if there was no legal way for the Scottish government to hold a referendum, and if Johnson’s government refused to authorize such a vote, it would fight the next UK general election over the only issue, Of independence.
Opposition parties have criticized Sturgeon for her “obsession” with holding a new independence vote, saying she should instead focus on more practical issues, such as tackling the rising cost of living.
“A possible illegal referendum next year is the wrong priority for Scotland,” said Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross. “We will not play Nicola Sturgeon’s games. We will not participate in a mock investigation if real work is to be done.”
Like Wales and Northern Ireland, Scotland has its parliament and devolved government and makes its policies on public health, education, and other matters. But the British government in London controls things like defense and fiscal policy.
