NAVEED AMAN KHAN
THE Scottish Government has proposed holding a second referendum on Scottish independence from the United Kingdom (UK). A referendum on Scottish independence was held in 2014, with 55% voting against the proposal. Subsequenttothis,theUK votedtoleave the European Union (EU) in 2016 referendum. One ofthe reasons cited bythose opposedto Scottish independence during the 2014 campaign was that it would endanger Scotland being part of the EU. The SNP majority Scottish Government stated in its 2013 white paper on independence that the 2014 referendum would be once in a generation opportunity to follow a different path, and choose a new and better direction for the nation. Following the election of a Conservative UK government in 2015, a referendum on UK membership of the EU was scheduled for June 2016. The SNP stated in its manifesto for the May 2016 Scottish Parliament election that a second independence referendum should be held if there was a material change of circumstances, such as the UK leaving the EU. The “leave” side won the EU referendum with 52% of the vote across the UK. In Scotland, 62% of votes were to “remain” in the EU, with a majority of voters in every local authority area voting “remain”. In March 2017 First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, leader of the SNP, requested a Section 30 order to enable a second independence referendum when the shape of the UK’s Brexit deal will become clear, within 18–24 months, with the approval of the Scottish Parliament. Earlier the same month, the then UK Prime Minister Theresa May stated that “now is not the time” to discuss another referendum, because the focus should be on “working together, not pulling apart” for Brexit negotiations. The Brexit process also met a ten month delay due to lack of ratification of the exit deal by the House of Commons. In December 2019, Sturgeon sent an official request to hold an independence referendum to May’s replacement as Prime Minister, Boris Johnson. Sturgeon advocated holding a referedum in 2020 and published a document proposing amendments to the Scotland Act 1998, including to give the Scottish Parliament permanent powers to hold referendums. The referendum on Scottish independence held on 18 September 2014 saw Scotland vote to remain part of the United Kingdom (UK), with 55% voting against the proposal for Scotland to become an independent country and 45% voting in favour. Uncertainty over Scotland’s European Union (EU) membership was a topic in the run-up to the referendum vote. The British government and some mainstream political parties argued that remaining in the UK was the only way for Scotland to remain part of the EU. Okay once-in-a-generation. The Scottish independence debate will dominate UK post election political scene along with Brexit. Nicola Sturgeon has predicted that 2020 will be an historic year as she promised to secure a second referendum on Scottish independence. The FirstMinister, who has called for indyref -2 to be held in the second half of year 2020 in the wake of the UK’s departure from the EU. She said that her government would work to ensure it take place. She also highlighted the UN climate change summit set to take place in Glasgow in November as evidence that the eyes of the world would be on Scotland throughout the year. But in a sign that the constitutional debate will dominate 2020 in the same way it did in 2019, the UK Government used its New Year message to dismiss the idea of a “neverendum”. In her New Year’s message, the SNP leader said the Glasgow climate change summit would put Scotland “at the centre of international attention” with more than thirty thousand people expected to attend. The Glasgow summit comes near the end of what will be an historic year. Against the wishes of most people in Scotland the Scottish will leave the European Union at the end of January. That will I know be a source of deep regret for many. In the year ahead the Scottish Government will do everything it can to mitigate the worst impact of Brexit. Scottish will work to ensure that they have the chance to determine their own future by deciding whether they wish to become an independent country. By contrast, Mr Jack was proud to be Scottish Secretary as the UK left the EU, hailing a whole new chapter in the country’s history that would help farmers, fishermen and businesses. The Conservative was one of the 38 per cent of Scots who voted to Leave at the 2016 referendum, which helped him earn a seat around Mr Johnson’s Cabinet table. As Scots begin this new chapter together, the representative will put the Union at the very heart of everything Scots do and work hard to make sure Scotland has a prosperous future. The year 2020 must be about optimism, growth and opportunity, not further division and ‘neverendum’. Scots are stronger and more prosperous as a union of nations. Most of Scots put the rancour and division behind them and look forward to a better future together. The previous year had made clear why Scotland needed independence highlighting its landslide victory at recent general election. The case for independence has ever been clear. No wonder people across Scotland many of whom not natural independence supporters are now rethinking. — The writer is book ambassador, columnist, political analyst and author of several books based in Islamabad.
