Pro-independence politicians believe many may now support independence, given that the UK Government and pro-union parties are seen to be driving Scotland towards a hard Brexit and the abandonment of EU free movement.
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Theresa May has accused the SNP of being “divisive and obsessive” nationalists as the feud between the Prime Minister and the Scottish Government over a second independence referendum intensified.
Scotland’s first minister is “determined” to have a second independence referendum despite British Prime Minister Theresa May vowing to block one. When that is done and the deal or no deal is presented back to the House of Commons, then that is the time to have the Scottish referendum.
Politically, it may not be easy for Ms May to refuse another Scottish referendum for which the two Parliaments ~ in Britain and Scotland ~ will have to extend their approval.
In the last independence referendum in 2014, 55% of voters opposed Scotland breaking away. Scotland does 64 percent of its business with the rest of the UK. Even Ruth Davidson, the leader of the Scottish Conservatives and thus the standard-bearer for red, white, and blue Unionism, has conceded that the United Kingdom government can not rule out a referendum “forever”. She pointed out that the SNP government was re-elected a year ago with a manifesto stating that it could call a second vote if there was a significant change in the country’s circumstances-such as Brexit.
“Putting the national interest above any other consideration”. So the people must be consulted, again, and given the opportunity to decide Scotland’s constitutional status, again. Theresa May has made a decision to attempt to block the Scottish referendum because she knows she can’t win.
Buoyed by Nicola Sturgeon’s call for a referendum, SNP supporters are gathering in Aberdeen today for the party’s two-day conference.
“I don’t think she’ll go for a referendum unless she thinks she’s going to win it”, Gilbert said on March 10 after the deal with Standard Life.
Brexit Secretary David Davis said Mrs May would formally invoke Article 50 by the end of March, allowing the United Kingdom to start talks on creating a “positive new partnership” with the EU.
“There is a new warmth coming from Europe to the notion of an independent Scotland in the European Union, and that is a factor that has played into the debate”.
The Scottish Parliament has no power to call referendums on issues of the constitution under devolution law – making it unlikely the SNP could make any argument their referendum was legal. However, even if Scotland does hold a referendum, it could be years before Scotland’s status within the European Union was firmly established.
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Hassan said that it will most probably pitch the “very challenging” economic case for independence against the “bankruptcy of the British offer”. “We are not some kind of pretext”, he ripostes, “we are real people, living next door to you, teaching your children in your schools, training your religious ministers (as my wife does), fixing your broken pipes, serving your dishes and ales at your restaurants”.
