Nicola Sturgeon is planning for a second independence referendum. Nicola Sturgeon’s independence referendum route map has received criticisms from opposition leaders (Sky News). However, with the majority pro-independence seats in the parliament, Ms Sturgeon insists on the independence and freedom of Scotland.
New independence vote
Nicola Sturgeon’s independence referendum route map is an attempt for an independent and free Scotland. Sky News says that Nicola Sturgeon has laid out a ‘route map’ to the new independence vote, even if Westminster says no. The first minister announced that she will give a “significant update” to ministers in Scotland over a second independence vote. As it says in Politico, Scots will have another chance to vote for independence on October 19, 2023. This will happen if the courts and Boris Johnson fail to block the move. First Minister Nicola Sturgeon on Tuesday announced the plan on Tuesday.
The Scottish parliament will legislate for a nonbinding second referendum on the Scottish referendum to take place next year. Does Scotland have the power to hold a referendum without London’s permission? This is the question that Sturgeon’s government has asked the U.K.’s top court to rule on.
What is a section 30 order?
The Scotland Act, the UK government would need to make a section 30 order to permit a referendum. The UK government issued Such an Order ahead of the 2014 independence vote. They issued the order under the Edinburgh agreement between Westminster and Holyrood (Sky News).
Nicola Sturgeon’s independence referendum route map may require the permission of Westminster. As the BBC says, Ms Sturgeon wants the UK government to agree to transfer powers to the Scottish Parliament. This power transfer would allow independence vote to happen. This could either be a permanent transfer or a more temporary one known as a “section 30 order”. The permanent transfer can take place via an act of the Westminster parliament. Section 30 order refers to a section of the Scotland Act. This section allows Holyrood to pass laws in areas that normally Westminster decides about. These orders have been used 16 times since the creation of the devolved Scottish Parliament in 1999. The orders have allowed MSPs to legislate on topics such as railway construction and the voting age in elections.
Nicola Sturgeon’s independence referendum route map ignore Westminster
Nicola Sturgeon’s independence referendum route map is like a plan for saving innocent prisoners. Westminster has imprisoned Scottish democracy. Ms Sturgeon says (Daily Record) “What I am not willing to do, what I will never do is allow Scottish democracy to be a prisoner of Boris Johnson or any prime minister.” As Express says, Sturgeon vows to ignore Westminster if it blocks her ‘route map’ to independence.
Despite the likelihood of Westminster attempting to block Sturgeon’s “route map”, the First Minister vowed to continue her plans. Sturgeon noted if Westminster attempted to block her plans, it would “weaken the UK Government’s standing” in Scotland and across the world. She added that the UK Government should not try to prevent democracy at home. Otherwise, it is in no position to lecture any other country about the need to respect democratic norms. She also noted that Westminster rule over Scotland cannot be based on anything other than consented, voluntary partnership.
Opposition to independence vote
According to The National, Alex Cole-Hamilton calls the statement an “appalling” waste of time and resources. He says people waiting for cancer care, kids suffering from Long Covid, and victims of sex crimes could think of better uses of time. FM “putting disquiet in her party” ahead of the needs of Scotland, he claims before asking why she’s so focused on indyref2. FM asks if we’ll be better to tackle these issues or not when we’re able to deal with our own problems.
As Daily Record says, Boris Johnson seemed determined not to set himself up as a punchbag for independence as he answered questions on the referendum plans. They asked Boris Johnson if he would block plans for a referendum. Johnson answered: “our plans better economy works better when the UK is together than when it isn’t together.” As the Guardian says, Sturgeon argues that a pro-independence majority at Holyrood renews that mandate for a second independence referendum. However, Boris Johnson’s government insists that the last referendum settled the matter. As Express says, the SNP’s power-sharing arrangement with the Scottish Green Party means there is a majority for Indyref2.
UK Supreme Court’s decision
Scotland will seek legal backing for a referendum on independence next year. Nicola Sturgeon is accelerating the process of getting the necessary legislation for a vote tested in court before it goes to the Scottish Parliament. The referendum bill envisages a vote on Oct. 19 next year. Scotland’s chief legal officer referred the referendum bill to the UK Supreme Court. This is what Ms Sturgeon told lawmakers in Edinburgh on Tuesday (Bloomberg).
Nicola Sturgeon has said the referendum will take place if the UK Supreme Court says she has the power to do so. The First Minister said that if the court refused it would be “the fault of Westminster legislation”. Then she would fight the next general election as a “de facto referendum” on the single issue of independence (The Herald). Thus Sturgeon’s independence referendum route map can succeed if it gets legal support from the UK Supreme Court.
Final remark
The Scottish people must have “the democratic choice they have voted for” with another referendum on independence. This is what Scotland’s First Minister insists on (Sky News). Nicola Sturgeon has received criticisms from opposition leaders for her insistence on a second referendum on the independence of Scotland. Opposition leaders call the second independence vote a waste of time and resources. They argue that the Scottish government should tackle the cost of living, and health care crisis. However, there is a majority in Holyrood for a second referendum on independence. The Scottish government must have the chance to deal with Scotland’s problems. The government can get this chance and power in an independent and free Scotland.
