contents
Independence is the goal of the Scottish National Party (SNP). Prime Minister Nicola Sturgeon has been persistently trying to hold a referendum on this for years.
But there was no green light from London. Then Prime Minister Boris Johnson said no. His successor, Liz Truss, even called Sturgeon a busybody to ignore.
And now today the highest British court said no. The Scottish government wanted to know from the judges whether Scotland can hold an independence vote without the approval of London.
Plan B is ready
The clarification of this question was surprisingly short. Lord Reed, the Chief Justice, took 13 minutes to deliver the verdict. “The Scottish Parliament has no power to hold a referendum on Scottish independence.” Parliament in Edinburgh may decide on Scottish affairs, but not on matters affecting the whole kingdom. The Parliament in Westminster is responsible for this, with MPs from all four nations (England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland).
This makes it clear: the planned independence referendum in a year’s time cannot take place. This is a bitter pill, Scottish Prime Minister Nicola Sturgeon told the media today. But she certainly didn’t make the decision out of the blue. Sturgeon is a lawyer and knows the constitution.
That’s why she’s had a plan B in the drawer for a long time. Without a referendum, she wants to reinterpret the next parliamentary elections as such. Every vote that the Scottish National Party gets, they want to interpret as a vote for independence.
Not quite loud, but clever
That’s a smart move. The Scottish First Minister knows that breaking the constitution is not politically wise. An independent Scotland would eventually have to be recognized by London and especially the international community. This can only be done legally. The maneuver may not be quite loud, but it is skillful. This will massively increase the political pressure on London.
It is not this political maneuver that is disturbing, but the fact that the head of government chronically withholds one crucial fact in her appearances: the Scots are not a homogenous mass politically. On the contrary: the question of independence splits Scotland down the middle.
Of course, Brexit has reignited the debate about independence. But polls show that even today only a slim majority wants a divorce from the kingdom.
It may be true that, as she mentioned once again today, Nicola Sturgeon feels held hostage by the UK. But in Scotland you also meet a lot of people who have the impression that they are politically held hostage by the Scottish National Party.