Scotland Announces Plans to Reinitiate Independence Referendum Following May General Election

Following Brexit, UK Political Turmoil Intensifies
Foreign Media: "Brexit Has Fueled Support for Independence"

Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon
[Photo by Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Suhwan] Nicola Sturgeon, the First Minister of Scotland, announced that if her party, the Scottish National Party, wins the general election in May, she will push for a referendum on Scottish independence. This signals that the UK’s political landscape is about to plunge into turmoil once again, following Brexit (the United Kingdom's withdrawal from the European Union).

According to foreign media including the UK daily The Guardian on the 24th (local time), Sturgeon unveiled a roadmap to SNP members for pushing the referendum, indicating that administrative and legal measures for Scottish independence will be taken "regardless of the UK’s consent." In an interview with the BBC that day, she said, "The Scottish general election this May will be a turning point for our country’s independence," adding, "This is not for me personally but for our democracy."

As a preliminary step to holding the referendum, Sturgeon announced that she will invoke the Scotland Act of 1998 to reclaim some legislative powers from the UK Parliament. This act grants the Scottish Parliament legislative authority over certain areas such as taxation, separate from the UK Parliament, and was enacted following a 1997 referendum approving the establishment of the Scottish Parliament.

The Scottish government plans to hold a referendum on independence from the UK if negotiations with the UK government over the division of legislative powers face difficulties after invoking the act.

In the 2019 UK general election, the Scottish National Party, which advocates for Scottish independence, won 48 out of 59 Scottish seats in the UK Parliament, gaining strong momentum for independence efforts. This announcement marks the first time concrete future plans for Scottish independence have been revealed.

UK: "Referendum should be held at least 40 years later" VS Scotland: "To protect our democracy"

The UK government has consistently opposed Scotland’s independence moves. UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson stated in an interview with a media outlet on the 3rd that "a referendum for independence should be held with at least a 40-year interval," delivering a blow to Scotland’s referendum efforts. In response, Sturgeon said, "He (Prime Minister Johnson) is afraid of our efforts to protect democracy," and countered, "We will continue our path toward Scottish independence regardless of the UK government’s stance."

Debates over the referendum push have also continued within Scottish politics. Jackie Baillie, leader of the Scottish Labour Party, the opposition in the Scottish Parliament, expressed opposition to the referendum, saying, "Holding a referendum amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic will only stir up further confusion."

If Scotland proceeds with a referendum on independence, it will be the second one following the first held in 2014. In that referendum, the 'No' vote accounted for over 55%, resulting in rejection. However, following the UK government’s Brexit push and growing unease among Scots who wish to remain in the EU, polls last year showed pro-independence sentiment surpassing opposition for the first time. In the 2016 Brexit referendum, Scotland recorded the highest 'No' vote at 62%.

Economic Impact of Brexit... "Strengthening Pro-Independence Sentiment in Scotland"

On the 18th (local time), Scottish fishermen held a truck protest on the streets of London, urging the UK government to take measures as they suffered damage to seafood exports due to Brexit. London, UK ? Photo by Reuters

Scotland’s resentment toward Brexit is understood to stem from the belief that remaining economically integrated with the EU is more beneficial. Scotland’s major export, seafood, has seen a sharp decline in export volume due to complicated customs procedures imposed after Brexit when exporting to European countries, leading to dissatisfaction among residents. The UK’s Daily Express reported, "Brexit has fueled pro-independence sentiment in Scotland," adding, "The UK government must take the negative economic impact of Brexit on Scotland very seriously."