The Scottish Independence debate remains at the forefront of political discussions in Scotland, even eight years after the initial referendum in 2014. In that vote, the Scottish electorate voted against Independence by a margin of 55% to 45%. However, the issue resurfaced following the 2016 EU referendum, where 62% of Scottish voters expressed their support for remaining in the EU. The Scotland Act 1998 outlines the legislative powers of the Scottish Parliament, stating that certain matters, such as the “Union of the Kingdoms of Scotland and England,” are reserved and cannot be legislated on by the Scottish Parliament. A ruling by the Supreme Court in November 2022 found that the Scottish government’s proposed independence referendum bill fell outside the powers of the Scottish Parliament. The legislation for an Independence Referendum and proposed changes to the Scottish Parliament are seen as essential steps for fulfilling the desires of the Scottish people, with both the SNP and ALBA parties advocating for these changes.
SNP’s pursuit of Independence
In the SNP’s manifesto for the 2016 Scottish parliament elections, published shortly before the EU referendum, the SNP mentioned that “Scotland being taken out of the EU against our will” would justify a second independence vote. This has remained a pillar of the SNP argument in favour of Legislation for an Independence Referendum.
The SNP’s 2019 UK general election manifesto called for a second referendum in 2020. After winning 48 of Scotland’s 59 seats, Nicola Sturgeon formally requested the power to hold such a referendum. Still, Boris Johnson refused, arguing that critical pro-independence statistics had said that the 2014 referendum was a “once-in-a-generation opportunity”, so there was no case for a re-run.
Sturgeon presented the plans for Independence
Sturgeon presented the SNP’s plans for a second Legislation for Independence Referendum to the Scottish Parliament in June 2022 and Proposed changes to the Scottish Parliament. She announced she had written to the prime minister requesting a section 30 order. Recognising the UK government was unlikely to agree, she also announced her intention to hold a referendum on 19 October 2022 and asked the Lord Advocate, Scotland’s highest law officer, to seek the Supreme Court’s ruling on whether it would be within devolved legislative competence.
The Scottish Government planned to hold a referendum on 19 October 2023. However, this has been stopped by the Supreme Court’s judgment. Any future referendum would require agreement between the UK and Scottish governments on its terms and timing.
The SNP plan is for an independent Scotland to rejoin the EU
As the UK has already left the EU, an independent Scotland would be required to apply to join under Article 49 of the Treaty on European Union after first completing its separation from the rest of the UK. Re-entry would require accession negotiations and the consent of all 27 EU member states.
An independent Scotland would also have to decide which currency to use. In May 2018, the SNP Sustainable Growth Commission recommended that an independent Scotland continue using Sterling (without a formal monetary union) for a “possibly extended” transition period before introducing its currency. However, in 2019, the SNP party conference voted to replace Sterling with a new Scottish currency “as soon as is practicable.”
Westminster criticises SNP’s use of public funds to promote independence
The UK government has criticised the SNP for being “irresponsible” for using public funds to campaign for Independence. In a letter to Mr Yousaf, Scottish Secretary Alister Jack said ministers had “a responsibility to spend taxpayers’ money wisely.” Mr Jack criticised the Scottish Government for its “obsession with independence ahead of pressing priorities in Scotland.” In response, Mr Yousaf told reporters that he felt “comfortable” using public funds to promote Independence. He said that the SNP had been elected on a mandate to deliver a referendum.
Alba’s proposal for a referendum
Alba Party was founded on 8 February 2021 by respected journalist Laurie Flynn and launched in the run-up to the 2021 Scottish Parliament Election by Alex Salmond. Alex Salmond’s Alba party will propose a referendum on whether the powers of the Proposed changes to the Scottish Parliament should be extended to include the capability to legislate for and negotiate Independence. The party’s Holyrood leader and former SNP leadership candidate Ash Regan will introduce a bill to “consult the people of Scotland” ten years after the 2014 Legislation for Independence Referendum. The Supreme Court ruled last year that the Scottish Government cannot hold a second independence vote without Westminster’s approval. But Alba argues that a referendum on whether Holyrood should be given more powers would be lawful.
The referendum would ask: “Should the Scottish Parliament have the power to negotiate and legislate for Scottish independence?” The UK Government dismissed Alba’s plan. A spokesperson commented: “People in Scotland want their governments to concentrate on the issues that matter most to them, like growing our economy, halving inflation, and improving public services.
Independence for Scotland is raison d’etre.
They currently stand at a crossroads in our nation’s history, and the ALBA Party is the only party with a so-called “serious plan” that will restore Scotland’s Independence. ALBA believes that The Westminster Parliament does not admire the sovereign will of the Scottish people. This was exhibited when Scotland was taken out of the EU despite the clear democratic will of the Scottish electorate to Remain in the EU. The refusal of several UK Prime Ministers to assign the necessary powers to the Proposed changes to the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh for a demanded independence referendum further makes this point.
Over the last seven years, despite the preponderance of MPs from Scotland advocating Independence, the MPs have yet to realise any benefit to Scotland or the cause of Independence.
The ALBA Party acknowledges that every single election should be used to pursue a mandate to start negotiations for Independence, not yet another mandate for a referendum. The referendum boat has sailed; the Westminster Government has persisted in rejecting a Section 30 order, and the recent ruling by the UK Supreme Court has created holding a referendum without a Section 30 order a much more challenging task.