Nicola Sturgeon and Boris Johnson row over new Scottish independence referendum
LONDON, Dec 16 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Scotland’s first minister, Nicola Sturgeon, warned Prime Minister Boris Johnson that he could not keep Scotland in the United Kingdom against the country’s will.
Johnson and his government have repeatedly said they will not give the go-ahead for another referendum on Scottish independence, but Sturgeon said after the Scottish National Party won 48 of Scotland’s 59 seats in the UK parliament, her party had been given a mandate for one.
“If he thinks … saying no is the end of the matter then he is going to find himself completely and utterly wrong,” Sturgeon said.
“You cannot hold Scotland in the union against its will … If the United Kingdom is to continue it can only be by consent. And if Boris Johnson is confident in the case for the union then he should be confident enough to make that case and allow people to decide.”
Sturgeon said the SNP’s performance in the election was a clear mandate for a second referendum on Scottish independence.
Scotland, England’s political partner for 300 years, voted against splitting from the United Kingdom by 55% to 45% in 2014.
But Scots backed staying in the European Union in the 2016 referendum and Sturgeon argues Brexit means they should have another say on independence.
In a telephone call on Friday, Johnson indeed told Sturgeon he was opposed to another vote.
“The Prime Minister made clear how he remained opposed to a second independence referendum, standing with the majority of people in Scotland who do not want to return to division and uncertainty,” Johnson’s office said in a statement. “He added how the result of the 2014 referendum was decisive and should be respected.” — NNN-AGENCIES
