Despite the failure of a previous consultation in 2014 and the refusal of the British government to authorize this vote, the Scottish Prime Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, announced, Tuesday June 28, in the local Parliament, to want to organize a referendum “advisory” on the independence of the British nation on October 19, 2023.
To organize this referendum, Mr.me Sturgeon, leader of the independence party SNP, must obtain the agreement of the British government which is firmly opposed to it. The Scots had already been consulted on the subject in 2014 and had voted 55% to remain within the United Kingdom.
Ready to negotiate with Boris Johnson
Building on that previous vote, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson argues that such a referendum cannot happen. “only once in a generation”. The SNP, however, believes Brexit was a game-changer, with Scots 62% opposed. The SNP’s aim is for Scotland to join the European Union as an independent state.
Nicola Sturgeon said she was ready to negotiate with Boris Johnson but warned she would not allow “Scottish democracy is a prisoner of Boris Johnson or any prime minister”.
Before this speech, Boris Johnson reiterated his commitment to the unity of the kingdom. “We certainly believe our plan for a stronger economy works better when the UK is united than when it is not.”the Conservative leader said on British television on the sidelines of the G7 in Germany on Tuesday.
