Scotland plans to hold a second referendum on secession from Britain

Scotland’s First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, has announced that she wants a second referendum on secession from the United Kingdom on October 19, 2023, if the Supreme Court allows it.

Speaking at her Scottish National Party conference in Aberdeen on Monday, Sturgeon said the High Court would consider whether existing law allows the Scottish Parliament to legislate for an advisory referendum.

Sturgeon added that “if Prime Minister Liz Truss’ government had any respect for Scottish democracy, this court hearing wouldn’t be necessary, but this government has no such respect”.

Sturgeon had previously pledged to organize a second referendum by the end of 2023.

Sturgeon, who leads the Scottish National Party, has also made clear that if her government loses the lawsuit it will make the UK’s next national election a referendum on ending Scotland’s three-century union with England.

If the courts prevent the referendum, Sturgeon said, “we will take our case to the people in an election or we will abandon Scottish democracy”.

During the conference, she said: “Scotland has what it takes to be an independent and successful country,” promising to draw up a plan in the coming weeks that would define the economic basis for independence, and answer questions such as the currency that the country will use after secession.

Scotland has had its own parliament and government since 1999, and the government there sets its own policies in the areas of public health, education and other matters.

The government in London controls issues, including defense and fiscal policy.

Scottish voters rejected independence by 55% to 45% in the 2014 referendum.

Sturgeon promised to draw up a plan in the coming weeks that would lay out the economic basis for independence and answer questions such as what currency the country would use after secession.

She said her goal is to hold a referendum within a year.

She added, “There is no point in speculating on the court’s decision”.

It’s noteworthy, that Scotland and England became politically united in 1707.