lawmakers debate new independence referendum
Last Updated : GMT 09:40:38
Themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicle
Themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicle
Last Updated : GMT 09:40:38
Themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicle

As she prepares to launch Brexit

Lawmakers debate new independence referendum

Themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicle

Themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicleLawmakers debate new independence referendum

Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May (L)
Edinburgh - Arab Today

Scottish lawmakers on Tuesday begin a two-day debate on First Minister Nicola Sturgeon's call for an independence referendum -- a major headache for Prime Minister Theresa May as she prepares to launch Brexit.

The Scottish parliament's vote on Wednesday is widely expected to endorse Sturgeon's campaign to get the British government to agree to a second vote after a 2014 one in which Scots voted to stay in Britain.

The semi-autonomous Scottish government wants to ask the people of Scotland to reconsider their vote against independence with a new referendum before Britain is expected to leave the EU in 2019.

Sturgeon, leader of the ruling Scottish National Party (SNP), intends to use the Edinburgh parliament's voice to assert Scotland's "sovereign right" to choose its own future.

She said her Brexit compromise for Scotland to be allowed to remain in the European single market even as the rest of Britain leaves had been met with "a brick wall of intransigence" in London. 

The Scottish parliament cannot hold a legally-binding referendum without London's consent -- and Conservative Prime Minister Theresa May has insisted that "now is not the time" for a vote.

But Sturgeon has said it would be "democratically indefensible" to block a referendum, although she has signalled she is willing to negotiate on a date.

"This crucial decision over our future should not be made unilaterally by me, or by the Prime Minister,” she said.

"It should be made by the people of Scotland, and I call on parliament to give the people that choice."

The SNP does not have an outright majority in Edinburgh, but it has already secured the support of the Green party for another independence bid.

Patrick Harvie, leader of the Greens, said: "I think Theresa May will be taking a huge risk... if she refuses to acknowledge that we have a right in Scotland to have a say about our future."

- 'No public or political consent' -

Scotland voted against independence by 55 percent in 2014, but the campaign left the unionist camp politically divided while nationalists flocked to the SNP in their droves.

The SNP won all but three Scottish seats in the British parliament in 2015 and Sturgeon stood for re-election to the Edinburgh parliament in May 2016 on a pledge to hold another independence referendum if Scotland was "dragged out" of the EU against its will.

The SNP gained twice as many votes as the other parties, and Scotland was indeed outvoted by England and Wales in the Brexit referendum the following month, sparking a fresh constitutional crisis.

But Sturgeon has yet to convince a sceptical electorate, with a series of recent polls showing support for independence has barely moved since 2014 -- including a Panelbase poll concluded on Friday which found it stood at 44 percent.

"We believe a referendum cannot happen while the Brexit process is being played out," said Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson -- May's most senior representative in Edinburgh.

"We believe a referendum should not happen when there is no public or political consent for it to happen."

John Curtice, professor of politics at the University of Strathclyde, suggested May's intransigence and the current lack of public support for another referendum may actually work in Sturgeon's favour.

"The 'Yes' side still has considerable ground to make. More time to argue her case might, in truth, be just what Nicola Sturgeon wants," he said.

Source: AFP

themuslimchronicle
themuslimchronicle

GMT 06:08 2018 Wednesday ,24 January

Iranian woman skydiver looks

GMT 08:33 2018 Tuesday ,23 January

European markets diverge

GMT 08:08 2018 Monday ,22 January

centre-left backs formal coalition talks

GMT 07:24 2018 Sunday ,21 January

Mass crowds rally for anti-Trump

GMT 11:41 2018 Saturday ,20 January

New Zealand PM says she's having a baby

GMT 06:28 2018 Friday ,19 January

California couple who held 13 children captive

GMT 06:56 2018 Thursday ,18 January

Despite reforms, Saudi women still silenced

GMT 07:39 2018 Wednesday ,17 January

Danish inventor Peter Madsen charged
Themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicle
Themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicle

Name *

E-mail *

Comment Title*

Comment *

: Characters Left

Mandatory *

Terms of use

Publishing Terms: Not to offend the author, or to persons or sanctities or attacking religions or divine self. And stay away from sectarian and racial incitement and insults.

I agree with the Terms of Use

Security Code*

lawmakers debate new independence referendum lawmakers debate new independence referendum

 



Themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicle

GMT 09:40 2017 Sunday ,17 December

May wins Brexit boost, but bigger battles await

GMT 06:33 2017 Friday ,01 December

Venezuela blames oil woes on 'sabotage

GMT 10:53 2017 Wednesday ,27 September

Fadl Shaker change residency after threats

GMT 08:37 2018 Tuesday ,23 January

Europe brings on charm and blue skies

GMT 22:55 2017 Tuesday ,07 February

Egypt backs Trump’s media criticism

GMT 09:50 2016 Thursday ,27 October

Voices concern over AT&T-Time Warner

GMT 07:48 2018 Sunday ,07 January

Globes newcomer Timothee Chalamet shoots

GMT 15:35 2017 Friday ,06 October

SAMA governor: Real GDP growth of 1.7% during 2016

GMT 11:42 2017 Tuesday ,31 October

Greece finds stand-up comedy amid economic tragedy

GMT 04:31 2017 Tuesday ,07 February

Oscar nominees feted at film academy luncheon

GMT 21:20 2011 Thursday ,29 December

The Art of Fielding

GMT 12:58 2017 Wednesday ,05 July

All-star Hayward agrees to sign with Boston Celtics

GMT 06:04 2015 Saturday ,11 April

Tiger-esque Spieth rewrites Masters record book

GMT 22:43 2014 Tuesday ,24 June

How brains store recent memories, cell by cell?

GMT 11:03 2017 Saturday ,18 February

Ecuadorians to go to polls to choose

GMT 11:51 2013 Saturday ,30 November

Schools set to offer e-textbooks next year in Shanghai
Themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicle
Themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicle
 
 Themuslimchronicle Facebook,themuslimchronicle facebook  Themuslimchronicle Twitter,themuslimchronicle twitter Themuslimchronicle Rss,themuslimchronicle rss  Themuslimchronicle Youtube,themuslimchronicle youtube  Themuslimchronicle Youtube,themuslimchronicle youtube

Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2025 ©

Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2025 ©

muslimchronicle muslimchronicle muslimchronicle muslimchronicle
themuslimchronicle themuslimchronicle themuslimchronicle
themuslimchronicle
بناية النخيل - رأس النبع _ خلف السفارة الفرنسية _بيروت - لبنان
themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicle