Scottish independence could be a step closer as First Minister Nicola Sturgeon launched the first of a series of papers that make a fresh case for Scotland being an independent country.
Ms Sturgeon unveiled the documents at Bute House in Edinburgh today. She insisted there is an “indisputable mandate” for a second independence referendum. An independence referendum was last held in 2014, when 55% voted no.
The papers, Ms Sturgeon says, “set out openly the challenges a newly independent Scotland would face", with the First Minister stressing the papers will “point the way” to a wealthier, fairer and more resilient nation.
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The First Minister stressed, however, that any vote on independence “must be lawful” as she insisted that if the UK Government “had any respect at all for democracy” it would grant a section 30 order, allowing a legally binding referendum to be held, as happened in 2014.
Ms Sturgeon's SNP party won the 2021 Scottish elections with a manifesto that included a commitment to holding another Scottish independence referendum once the coronavirus crisis has calmed down. While the SNP did not get a majority in the Scottish Parliament, record numbers of Green MSPs created a pro-independence majority in Holyrood. The Green party in Scotland is separate to the party in England and Wales.
The SNP leader has repeatedly made clear she wants a referendum before the end of 2023 – despite fierce opposition from the UK Government to such a vote taking place.
Speaking at the launch, the First Minister said “After everything that has happened, Brexit, Covid, Boris Johnson, it is time to set out a different and better vision.
“It is time to talk about making Scotland wealthier and fairer. It is time to talk about independence and then make that choice.”
Ms Sturgeon insisted when she was re-elected as First Minister last May it was on a “clear commitment to give the people of Scotland the choice of becoming an independent country”.
She noted that Holyrood had a “decisive majority” of MSPs in favour of independence, as she insisted: “The Scottish Parliament therefore has an indisputable democratic mandate.”
Opposition MSPs however insisted the Scottish Government should be more focused on issues such as the cost of living crisis.
Independence would see Scotland split from the United Kingdom. It could lead to a physical border between Northumberland and Scotland. Ms Sturgeon has previously said she would like to avoid a 'hard border', but if a newly independent Scotland joins the EU, it could cause friction for trade and travel between England and Scotland.
Scottish Conservative constitution spokesman Donald Cameron said: “Nicola Sturgeon is wilfully ignoring Scotland’s priorities to push ahead with plans for a second divisive independence referendum in 2023.
“The vast majority of Scottish people don’t want the distraction of another referendum next year. They want the government 100% focused on our recovery from the pandemic, the global cost-of-living crisis, supporting our NHS and protecting jobs.
“Yet Nicola Sturgeon is recklessly pressing ahead with her obsession anyway. This is nothing short of shameful when the country is facing so many momentous challenges.”
Mr Cameron insisted: “The distraction and disruption of another bitter referendum debate is the last thing Scotland needs right now.”
Labour constitution spokeswoman Sarah Boyack said that while people were “struggling to put food on the table during the worst cost of living crisis in a decade” the SNP and Greens were focusing on “their constitutional obsession”.
Ms Boyack hit out: “We should be working together to tackle the cost of living crisis now – but instead the SNP-Green government want to tear us apart.
“This is an appalling waste of time, energy and money when our public services are being cut to the bone.
“Far from making us wealthier, happier and fairer, the SNP and the Greens are putting our future at risk with plans that would make Brexit look like a walk in the park.”
Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton was also critical of the SNP and Greens, claiming: “They care more about their independence obsession than everyone stuck on the longest NHS waiting lists in history, the cost of living crisis or the climate emergency. Nobody believes education is Nicola Sturgeon’s top priority anymore.
“The SNP and Greens are taking people for granted. Let’s lay aside talk of an independence referendum and get to grips with what matters right now.”
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