Pro-Independence Parties Secure Majority In Scottish Parliament, Paving Way For New Referendum

{Reuters} Pro-independence parties won a majority in Scotland’s
parliament on Saturday, paving the way to a high-stakes political,
legal and constitutional battle with British Prime Minister Boris
Johnson over the future of the United Kingdom.

Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said the result meant
she would push ahead with plans for a second independence
referendum once the COVID-19 pandemic was over, adding that it
would be absurd and outrageous if Johnson were to try to ignore the
democratic will of the people.

“There is simply no democratic justification whatsoever for
Boris Johnson, or indeed for anyone else, seeking to block the
right of the people of Scotland to choose our own future,” Sturgeon
said.

“It is the will of the country,” she added after her Scottish
National Party (SNP) was returned for a fourth consecutive term in
office.

The British government argues Johnson must give approval for any
referendum and he has repeatedly made clear he would refuse. He has
said it would be irresponsible to hold one now, pointing out that
Scots had backed staying in the United Kingdom in a “once in a
generation” poll in 2014.

The election outcome is likely to be a bitter clash between the
Scottish government in Edinburgh and Johnson’s United Kingdom-wide
administration in London, with Scotland’s 314-year union with
England and Wales at stake.

The nationalists argue that they have democratic authority on
their side; the British government say the law is with them. It is
likely the final decision on a referendum will be settled in the
courts.

‘IRRESPONSIBLE AND RECKLESS’

“I think a referendum in the current context is irresponsible
and reckless,” Johnson told the Daily Telegraph newspaper.

Alister Jack, the UK government’s Scotland minister, said
dealing with the coronavirus crisis and the vaccine rollout should
be the priority.

“We must not allow ourselves to be distracted – COVID recovery
must be the sole priority of Scotland’s two governments,” he
said.

The SNP had been hopeful of winning an outright majority which
would have strengthened their call for a secession vote but they
looked set to fall one seat short of the 65 required in the
129-seat Scottish parliament, partly because of an electoral system
that helps smaller parties.

Pro-union supporters argue that the SNP’s failure to get a
majority has made it easier for Johnson to rebut their argument
that they have a mandate for a referendum.

However, the Scottish Greens, who have promised to support a
referendum, picked up eight seats, meaning overall there will be a
comfortable pro-independence majority in the Scottish assembly.

Scottish politics has been diverging from other parts of the
United Kingdom for some time, but Scots remain divided over holding
another independence plebiscite.

However, Britain’s exit from the European Union – opposed by a
majority of Scots – as well as a perception that Sturgeon’s
government has handled the COVID-19 crisis well, along with
antipathy to Johnson’s Conservative government in London, have all
bolstered support for the independence movement.

Scots voted by 55%-45% in 2014 to remain part of the United
Kingdom, and polls suggest a second referendum would be too close
to call.

Sturgeon said her first task was dealing with the pandemic and
the SNP has indicated that a referendum is unlikely until 2023. But
she said any legal challenge by Johnson’s government to a vote
would show a total disregard for Scottish democracy.

“The absurdity and outrageous nature of a Westminster government
potentially going to court to overturn Scottish democracy, I can’t
think of a more colourful argument for Scottish independence than
that myself,” she said.

{Reuters} Pro-independence parties won a majority in Scotland’s
parliament on Saturday, paving the way to a high-stakes political,
legal and constitutional battle with British Prime Minister Boris
Johnson over the future of the United Kingdom.

Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said the result meant
she would push ahead with plans for a second independence
referendum once the COVID-19 pandemic was over, adding that it
would be absurd and outrageous if Johnson were to try to ignore the
democratic will of the people.

“There is simply no democratic justification whatsoever for
Boris Johnson, or indeed for anyone else, seeking to block the
right of the people of Scotland to choose our own future,” Sturgeon
said.

“It is the will of the country,” she added after her Scottish
National Party (SNP) was returned for a fourth consecutive term in
office.

The British government argues Johnson must give approval for any
referendum and he has repeatedly made clear he would refuse. He has
said it would be irresponsible to hold one now, pointing out that
Scots had backed staying in the United Kingdom in a “once in a
generation” poll in 2014.

The election outcome is likely to be a bitter clash between the
Scottish government in Edinburgh and Johnson’s United Kingdom-wide
administration in London, with Scotland’s 314-year union with
England and Wales at stake.

The nationalists argue that they have democratic authority on
their side; the British government say the law is with them. It is
likely the final decision on a referendum will be settled in the
courts.

‘IRRESPONSIBLE AND RECKLESS’

“I think a referendum in the current context is irresponsible
and reckless,” Johnson told the Daily Telegraph newspaper.

Alister Jack, the UK government’s Scotland minister, said
dealing with the coronavirus crisis and the vaccine rollout should
be the priority.

“We must not allow ourselves to be distracted – COVID recovery
must be the sole priority of Scotland’s two governments,” he
said.

The SNP had been hopeful of winning an outright majority which
would have strengthened their call for a secession vote but they
looked set to fall one seat short of the 65 required in the
129-seat Scottish parliament, partly because of an electoral system
that helps smaller parties.

Pro-union supporters argue that the SNP’s failure to get a
majority has made it easier for Johnson to rebut their argument
that they have a mandate for a referendum.

However, the Scottish Greens, who have promised to support a
referendum, picked up eight seats, meaning overall there will be a
comfortable pro-independence majority in the Scottish assembly.

Scottish politics has been diverging from other parts of the
United Kingdom for some time, but Scots remain divided over holding
another independence plebiscite.

However, Britain’s exit from the European Union – opposed by a
majority of Scots – as well as a perception that Sturgeon’s
government has handled the COVID-19 crisis well, along with
antipathy to Johnson’s Conservative government in London, have all
bolstered support for the independence movement.

Scots voted by 55%-45% in 2014 to remain part of the United
Kingdom, and polls suggest a second referendum would be too close
to call.

Sturgeon said her first task was dealing with the pandemic and
the SNP has indicated that a referendum is unlikely until 2023. But
she said any legal challenge by Johnson’s government to a vote
would show a total disregard for Scottish democracy.

“The absurdity and outrageous nature of a Westminster government
potentially going to court to overturn Scottish democracy, I can’t
think of a more colourful argument for Scottish independence than
that myself,” she said.