The fight for Scottish independence will be revived in the United Kingdom next week. The kingdom’s highest court will consider another attempt to hold another referendum on whether Scotland should secede from the kingdom.
British Prime Minister Liz Truss and her government strongly oppose the possibility of independence because it leaves the future of the kingdom uncertain. Hence holding a referendum on the issue is not supported by the London government. The semi-autonomous Scottish government wants to ask a judge whether it can still hold a referendum without London’s support.
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Scotland hopes to hold a referendum next October. Earlier this year, residents were very divided on the issue. According to a Sunday Times poll, 48 percent of people in Scotland were in favor of independence, while 47 percent were against it.
The previous referendum failed
In 2014, Scots had already held a referendum in which 55 percent were against independence. The situation changed when Scottish Prime Minister Nicola Sturgeon decided to leave the EU. He wants to rejoin the EU. Truss, however, thinks otherwise. “In 2014 we said ‘once in a generation’. I am very clear when I say that there will not be another referendum until the end of that generation.’
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Sturgeon insists that if Scots hold a referendum, it will be a consultative vote. If Scotland decides to remain independent, it does not mean that there will be an immediate separation. That would only be possible if the British and Scottish Parliaments came up with legislation.
Catalan independence
The Scots are also mindful of the failure of the Catalans’ bid for independence. In 2017, Catalans declared independence after an illegal referendum. The Spanish judge drew a line through it, so secession failed.
