Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has told the country’s parliament she plans to hold a fresh referendum on Scottish independence on October 19, 2023.
Key points:
- Scotland’s government intends to hold a second independence referendum on October 19, 2023
- Voters in Scotland, which has a population of around 5.5 million, rejected a similar vote in 2014
- But Ms Sturgeon says it’s time to revisit the matter because of changes brought about by Brexit
Ms Sturgeon said on Tuesday (local time) that the question to be asked would be the same as that in Scotland’s 2014 independence vote: “Should Scotland be an independent country?”
The First Minister said she would be writing to British Prime Minister Boris Johnson for permission to hold the referendum, saying it was vital the vote was legal.
She said the issue would be referred to the UK Supreme Court.
Voters in Scotland, which has a population of about 5.5 million, rejected independence in 2014. But Scotland’s semi-autonomous government says Britain’s departure from the EU, which was opposed by a majority of Scots, means the question must be put to a second vote.
Johnson and his ruling Conservative Party, which is in opposition in Scotland, strongly oppose a referendum, saying the issue was settled in 2014 when Scots voted against independence by 55 per cent to 45 per cent.
He has previously refused to issue a “Section 30” order to allow a referendum to take place.
But Ms Sturgeon also maintains that her party’s success in local elections last year gives her a mandate for a fresh referendum.
While the Scottish National Party did not win overall control in the Scottish Parliament, the election of a record number of Scottish Green politicians means there is a majority for a new independence vote.
“Westminster rule over Scotland cannot be based on anything other than a consented, voluntary partnership,” Ms Sturgeon said.
“It is time to give people the democratic choice they have voted for, and then with independence to build a more prosperous, fairer country in a true partnership of equals between Scotland and our friends in the rest of the UK,” she added.
Opposition parties have criticised Ms Sturgeon for her “obsession” with holding a new independence vote and say she should instead be focused on more practical matters such as tackling the soaring cost of living.
Like Wales and Northern Ireland, Scotland has its own parliament and devolved government and makes its own policies on public health, education and other matters. But the UK-wide government in London controls matters such as defence and fiscal policy.
Reuters/wires
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