The Scottish government is not giving up after the independence referendum was legally rejected

After a legal setback in the High Court on Wednesday, Scotland’s first minister has warned she will turn the upcoming UK general election into a referendum. “de facto” On Scottish independence.

Britain’s Supreme Court has ruled, unsurprisingly, that Scotland cannot hold a new independence referendum without London’s consent.

“The court unanimously decided that the draft law on the referendum is included in the protected questions” Central power in London, the president of the Supreme Court explained Robert Reed. fact, “Scottish Parliament has no legislative powers for independence referendum”.

Prime Minister of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon, “disappointed”reacted quickly: a “The law, which would not allow Scotland to choose its own future without the consent of Westminster, shows that the notion of a voluntary partnership with the UK is a myth”.

Faced with this failure of justice, Nicola Sturgeon At a press conference in Edinburgh, he reiterated that the next general election will be held in Great Britain by January 2025. “a de facto referendumin the matter of independence.

_”The Westminster establishment may think they can block the referendum. But let me be clear: I can assure you today that no institution, Westminster or any other institution, will ever silence the voice of the Scottish people._We will find other democratic, legal and constitutional means for the people of Scotland to express their will.”he also said.

Nicola Sturgeon had already revealed the question to be put to the Scots (“Should Scotland be an independent country?”) as well as the date he wants to hold a new referendum (October 19, 2023).

In 2014, 55% of Scots refused to leave the UK. But in the eyes of SNP separatists in power in Edinburgh, Brexit, which has since been opposed by 62% of voters in the state, is a game-changer. They want Scotland to rejoin the European Union as an independent state.

London’s central government believes the 2014 vote closed the debate for a generation. Pending legal confrontation, Nicola Sturgeon He led the seizure of the Supreme Court.

Angry

In Edinburgh, some Scots gathered to express their anger. “I’m a little bored, but this is only the beginning. (…) Either in my lifetime or in the lifetime of the children, we will have independence”58-year-old store manager Margaret Turner told AFP. “England does not allow us to speak. (…) I am angry and disappointed”Added Gerard Clarke, a 74-year-old pensioner.

The court held that such a referendum, even if advisory, would have a direct effect on the unity of the United Kingdom. “Reserve” The central government in London must therefore give its consent before such a vote can take place.

Prime Minister of England in front of MPs in Parliament Rishi Altar told him to respect the “clear and final sentence” given to him. “The benefits of being part of the UK in times of unprecedented challenges have never been clearer”in turn confirmed the British Minister responsible for Scotland, Alistair Jack.

For an independent MP Ian BlackfordReferendum issue a “The Question of Mass Democracy”. He charged “A so-called partnership in which one partner is not allowed to choose or even question another future”.

“Fundamental and inalienable right”

The leader of Labor in Scotland, which opposes independence, Anas Sarvarcalled him “save” of this Conservative government “rotten”. “Let’s show we can make the UK work for all parts of the country”he started at the BBC.

At a hearing last month, Scotland’s most senior judge, Dorothy Bathargued that “the right to self-determination is a fundamental and inalienable right.” But on Wednesday, the Supreme Court rejected his arguments, Robert Reed that the international right to self-determination applies only to former colonies or populations subject to military occupation, or where a group lacks access to certain rights.

“I would have preferred a different decision, but this gives a clear answer and I think it is welcome.”told AFP after the decision Philippa Whitford, independent deputy. For him, there should still be supporters of the union “Reflecting on the democratic right of Scots to choose their own future”.