Nicola Sturgeon is 'in a muddle' over Scottish independence, former SNP minister says
1 year, 11 months ago

Nicola Sturgeon is 'in a muddle' over Scottish independence, former SNP minister says

Daily Mail  

Nicola Sturgeon has been accused of being ‘in a muddle’ over Scottish independence after backtracking on a pledge to turn the next general election into a de facto referendum. Last year, the First Minister vowed to treat the next UK election as an independence vote if the Supreme Court ruled – which it did – that she couldn’t call a poll without Westminster’s consent. First Minister Nicola Sturgeon on the way to First Minister's Questions in the Scottish Parliament earlier last week Or, the next Scottish election, due in 2026, would become a vote on independence, The Sunday Times reported. Scottish Labour MSP Sarah Boyack said: ‘It’s plain for all to see that Nicola Sturgeon’s daft promise of a de facto referendum is in tatters.’ A referendum on Scottish independence from the UK was held in September 2014, with 55 per cent rejecting separation.

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History of this topic

This is how Starmer fixes ‘the Scotland problem’
5 months, 1 week ago

This is how Starmer fixes ‘the Scotland problem’

The Independent  

On winning the election, Keir Starmer said he wishes to reset Westminster’s relationship with the devolved nations. Interestingly, Starmer, at the time of the court’s decision, said he would not allow a second referendum if he was in government, even if the Supreme Court agreed it was legal. Stuart Smith Aberdeen A shark attack of a different kind James Dyson …

Scottish independence is dead… and good riddance
5 months, 2 weeks ago

Scottish independence is dead… and good riddance

The Independent  

The dream shall never die” – that was the claim by former first minister Alex Salmond after the 2014 Scottish independence referendum. The failure of the nationalist movement in Scotland is a boon for those of us who want to move on to more practical, serious government across the UK – but it should also be a reminder that even …

Scottish National Party’s ‘damaging’ U.K. election result hits independence push
5 months, 2 weeks ago

Scottish National Party’s ‘damaging’ U.K. election result hits independence push

The Hindu  

The pro-separatist Scottish National Party was virtually obliterated at the U.K. General Election on July 5, suffering a devastating blow to its withering independence movement. The SNP lost dozens of lawmakers as it recorded its worst result in a British general election since 2010, with leader John Swinney lamenting a “very, very difficult and damaging” night for his party. Labour …

SNP admits Scottish independence is ‘a hard sell’ after losing 38 seats
5 months, 2 weeks ago

SNP admits Scottish independence is ‘a hard sell’ after losing 38 seats

The Independent  

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} The SNP has …

SNP set for election humiliation leaving nationalists with just TEN seats - fewer than even the Tories - leaving their independence dream in tatters as Scots turn their back on scandal-ravaged party
5 months, 2 weeks ago

SNP set for election humiliation leaving nationalists with just TEN seats - fewer than even the Tories - leaving their independence dream in tatters as Scots turn their back on scandal-ravaged party

Daily Mail  

The SNP is set for a major election humiliation in Scotland that could leave it with fewer seats than Nigel Farage's Reform UK, polls suggest. Sir Keir Starmer's party's success appears to have extended north of the border, with the SNP losing 38 seats compared with the 2019 election, many at the hands of Labour. Speaking on ITV, former SNP …

No Swinney bounce for SNP as Labour surges 10 points clear in ‘bombshell’ poll
7 months ago

No Swinney bounce for SNP as Labour surges 10 points clear in ‘bombshell’ poll

The Telegraph  

Labour has surged ahead of the SNP in Scotland after John Swinney replaced Humza Yousaf as First Minister, according to a new poll. The YouGov survey found 39 per cent of Scots plan to vote Labour in this year’s general election, up five points from a similar poll conducted late last month, shortly before Mr Yousaf’s resignation. In a major …

Labour lead over Tories falls as economy recovers
7 months ago

Labour lead over Tories falls as economy recovers

The Telegraph  

Increase in economic optimism There was good news for the Conservatives with the finding that there was a sharp increase in economic optimism. On 10 May – during the period that the poll was taken – the Office for National Statistics announced that Britain’s economy had grown by 0.6 per cent in the first quarter of the year. Asked whether …

Why the SNP is staring down the barrel of electoral disaster
8 months, 1 week ago

Why the SNP is staring down the barrel of electoral disaster

The Telegraph  

Last week was more difficult than usual for Humza Yousaf. News outlets breathlessly reported that the first minister’s brother-in-law, Ramsay El-Nakla, had appeared in court, charged with abduction and extortion following an incident where a man fell from a block of flats and later died. Nevertheless, the publicity would have been an unwelcome complication in a week when a new …

Unionists can oust ‘dud’ Humza Yousaf with tactical vote for Scottish Tories
9 months, 3 weeks ago

Unionists can oust ‘dud’ Humza Yousaf with tactical vote for Scottish Tories

The Telegraph  

Although polls have predicted the Tories will endure large losses across the UK in the election, they are confident that they can make gains in Scotland, partly thanks to the SNP’s travails. Mr Yousaf has urged Scots to make Scotland “Tory-free” by backing the SNP in the six Conservative seats, but Mr Hoy predicted the First Minister’s unpopularity would have …

First minister Humza Yousaf says vote SNP for Tory-free Scotland
11 months, 1 week ago

First minister Humza Yousaf says vote SNP for Tory-free Scotland

The Independent  

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Scotland’s first minister, Humza Yousaf, is expected to urge Scotland to …

EDDIE BARNES: The SNP is in meltdown after its annus horribilis. So why on earth would anyone actually still vote for them?
1 year ago

EDDIE BARNES: The SNP is in meltdown after its annus horribilis. So why on earth would anyone actually still vote for them?

Daily Mail  

The first rule of politics is never to blame the electorate. There’s the secrecy and evasion of a party that’s been in power for too long, the lack of direction, the short-termism that – in next week’s Scottish Budget – will likely see swingeing cuts to public services or brutal tax rises and, finally, the growing divisions due to weak …

SNP leads Labour by just two points after heavy by-election loss
1 year, 2 months ago

SNP leads Labour by just two points after heavy by-election loss

The Telegraph  

The Scottish National Party leads Labour by just two points in the first poll published after its heavy by-election loss in Rutherglen and Hamilton West. This puts the SNP two points ahead of Labour, who are down by three points on 32 per cent, while the Conservatives in Scotland are up by six points to 21 per cent. Data from …

Yousaf: Even with challenges facing SNP, support for independence is rock solid
1 year, 5 months ago

Yousaf: Even with challenges facing SNP, support for independence is rock solid

The Independent  

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy First Minister Humza Yousaf has said support for independence is …

‘The SNP is in crisis’: Scotland’s Humza Yousaf’s first 100 days
1 year, 5 months ago

‘The SNP is in crisis’: Scotland’s Humza Yousaf’s first 100 days

Al Jazeera  

Humza Yousaf took over the Scottish ruling party following the shock resignation of former leader Nicola Sturgeon. “Humza Yousaf has inherited a very different party compared with the party Nicola Sturgeon inherited from Alex Salmond.” The pro-Scottish independence SNP has been the dominant political force in Scotland since 2007 when the left-wing party secured victory at the devolved Scottish Parliament …

Humza Yousaf admits he has 'no shortcut or wheeze' to achieve Scottish independence
1 year, 6 months ago

Humza Yousaf admits he has 'no shortcut or wheeze' to achieve Scottish independence

The Telegraph  

Humza Yousaf has admitted he has no “short cut or wheeze” to achieve Scottish independence ahead of a special SNP convention on Saturday to discuss the party’s next steps. The First Minister said there was not “a rabbit I’m going to pull out of the hat” during the day-long meeting in Dundee for members to discuss the party’s strategy for …

The rise and fall of Nicola Sturgeon: How the 'Queen of Scots' turned suspect in financial crimes
1 year, 6 months ago

The rise and fall of Nicola Sturgeon: How the 'Queen of Scots' turned suspect in financial crimes

Firstpost  

Nicola Sturgeon’s brief arrest on Sunday as part of a financial probe into the Scottish National Party capped a spectacular fall from grace for the woman once dubbed by media as the ‘Queen of Scots’ Nicola Sturgeon was a name to reckon with in British politics. Her arrest followed the detentions of party treasurer Colin Beattie and former party chief …

What to read about the Scottish independence movement
1 year, 7 months ago

What to read about the Scottish independence movement

The Economist  

T HE UNION between Scotland and England in 1707 created the United Kingdom. Since then Scotland has provided prime ministers, such as Gordon Brown, intellectual luminaries like Adam Smith and David Hume and a large proportion of the British who governed India. More recently Scotland, now with 5.5m people, has grown restive as a constituent of a country with a …

Explained | The demand for Scottish independence
1 year, 8 months ago

Explained | The demand for Scottish independence

The Hindu  

The story so far: Last week, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak was quick to reject a call from the new First Minister of Scotland and leader of the governing Scottish National Party, Humza Yousaf, to hold a second referendum for Scotland’s independence from the U.K. Mr. Yousaf took over the party’s reigns on March 28 after an intense in-party contest …

Nicola Sturgeon laughs off online gossip of affair with French diplomat
1 year, 8 months ago

Nicola Sturgeon laughs off online gossip of affair with French diplomat

The Independent  

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The former SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon has laughed off online rumours …

A new chapter: The Hindu Editorial on Scotland’s new First Minister Humza Yousaf
1 year, 8 months ago

A new chapter: The Hindu Editorial on Scotland’s new First Minister Humza Yousaf

The Hindu  

Scotland has made history in electing as its First Minister Humza Yousaf, 37, who is, as the son of Pakistani immigrants, the first ever Muslim and person of Asian descent to take up the role, and also the youngest leader in that capacity. Mr. Yousaf won 52% of the votes in the SNP leadership contest for running a campaign that …

Scotland set for new leader after Nicola Sturgeon's resignation as independence quest stalls
1 year, 8 months ago

Scotland set for new leader after Nicola Sturgeon's resignation as independence quest stalls

Firstpost  

Edinburgh, United Kingdom: A new Scottish first minister will be named on Monday, with the leader facing the daunting task of reviving a faltering independence movement after Nicola Sturgeon’s surprise resignation. ‘Disappointed’ Polling indicates that around 45 per cent of Scots are currently in favour of Scotland leaving the United Kingdom after 55 per cent of Scots rejected such a …

Scotland set for new leader as independence quest stalls
1 year, 8 months ago

Scotland set for new leader as independence quest stalls

The Hindu  

A new Scottish First Minister will be named on March 27, with the leader facing the daunting task of reviving a faltering independence movement after Nicola Sturgeon's surprise resignation. At her last session in the Scottish Parliament as First Minister on March 23, Ms. Sturgeon said her successor would be either the second woman in the post or the first …

Scottish independence at crossroads in testy SNP leader race
1 year, 9 months ago

Scottish independence at crossroads in testy SNP leader race

Associated Press  

LONDON — The Scottish National Party is finding Nicola Sturgeon a hard act to follow. Murrell accepted responsibility and quit, saying that “while there was no intent to mislead, I accept that this has been the outcome.” Regan welcomed Murrell’s departure, saying it was “unacceptable to have the husband of the party leader as the CEO.” Forbes said that the …

3 contenders running to replace Sturgeon as Scottish leader
1 year, 10 months ago

3 contenders running to replace Sturgeon as Scottish leader

Associated Press  

LONDON — Three members of the Scottish parliament will battle to become leader of the governing Scottish National Party, officials said Friday after the deadline for nominations closed. Scottish Finance Secretary Kate Forbes, Health Secretary Humza Yousaf and lawmaker Ash Regan are running to replace First Minister Nicola Sturgeon. Forbes was considered the frontrunner, but dented her chances when she …

Race to replace Nicola Sturgeon takes a personal turn
1 year, 10 months ago

Race to replace Nicola Sturgeon takes a personal turn

The Independent  

The race to succeed Nicola Sturgeon as SNP leader and first minister of Scotland is taking some unexpected turns. He wants a debate, and says he isn’t “wedded” to Sturgeon’s policy of using the next general election as a de facto referendum on the subject. That’s probably just as well, given the possibility that the SNP will slip back next …

After Sturgeon, what remains of Scotland’s independence bid?
1 year, 10 months ago

After Sturgeon, what remains of Scotland’s independence bid?

Al Jazeera  

Health Secretary Humza Yousaf and Finance Secretary Kate Forbes, both below 40, are standing to succeed Sturgeon. Following Nicola Sturgeon’s announcement last week that she would be stepping down from her role as Scotland’s head of government and leader of the Scottish National Party, international reactions came thick and fast. Ireland’s Prime Minister Leo Varadkar paid tribute to Sturgeon as …

Nicola Sturgeon, the independence champion doomed to fall short of her dream
1 year, 10 months ago

Nicola Sturgeon, the independence champion doomed to fall short of her dream

The Independent  

For all her recent stumbles and U-turns, the one thing Nicola Sturgeon has been constant about, indeed given her life to, is the cause of Scottish independence. Even when Scotland was still a one-party Labour state, and the SNP was the eccentric hobby horse of a small band of some “tartan Tories”, Sturgeon was smitten by the romance of the …

Nicola Sturgeon | Shock departure
1 year, 10 months ago

Nicola Sturgeon | Shock departure

The Hindu  

Nicola Sturgeon, the First Minister of the semi-autonomous government of Scotland and leader of the pro-independence Scottish National Party, has announced her resignation from both posts. He pushed the party to the left of Labour on the economy, and to the right of it on nationalism, aggressively seeking to decouple Scotland politically from the U.K. Mr. Salmond met Ms. Sturgeon …

Sturgeon’s exit leaves Scottish independence path unclear
1 year, 10 months ago

Sturgeon’s exit leaves Scottish independence path unclear

Associated Press  

LONDON — Scotland’s independence movement needs a new leader — and a new plan. The Times of London said Thursday that Sturgeon’s departure was a “huge boost to unionism,” and a “generational setback” to the independence cause. John Kampfner of think tank Chatham House said that with Sturgeon gone it’s possible “some of the air has gone out of the …

A time to quit: The Hindu Editorial on Nicola Sturgeon’s resignation as First Minister of Scotland
1 year, 10 months ago

A time to quit: The Hindu Editorial on Nicola Sturgeon’s resignation as First Minister of Scotland

The Hindu  

When Nicola Sturgeon, the First Minister of Scotland, announced her resignation on Wednesday, comparisons were immediately drawn between her decision and that of Jacinda Ardern, the former New Zealand Prime Minister who quit last month citing burnout. Ms Sturgeon rose to power in 2014 after Alex Salmond, the Scottish National Party’s former leader quit following a defeat in a Scottish …

Soul-searching for Scotland's SNP after Sturgeon quits
1 year, 10 months ago

Soul-searching for Scotland's SNP after Sturgeon quits

The Hindu  

The Scottish National Party on Thursday faced calls to postpone a special conference aimed at reviving its troubled push for independence, after the surprise resignation of leader Nicola Sturgeon. After more than eight eventful years as Scotland's first minister and SNP chief, Ms. Sturgeon said on Wednesday she lacked the "energy" to carry on and would step down. There is …

Nicola Sturgeon dodges question on ‘missing’ £600,000 campaign funds
1 year, 10 months ago

Nicola Sturgeon dodges question on ‘missing’ £600,000 campaign funds

The Independent  

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Nicola Sturgeon, Scotland’s first female first minister, announced that she would …

Nicola Sturgeon to resign as First Minister, saying ‘the time is now’
1 year, 10 months ago

Nicola Sturgeon to resign as First Minister, saying ‘the time is now’

The Independent  

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Nicola Sturgeon has announced she will stand down after eight …

Sturgeon leaves her party and movement in a state of uncertainty
1 year, 10 months ago

Sturgeon leaves her party and movement in a state of uncertainty

Al Jazeera  

Shortly before being elected leader of the Scottish National Party in late 2014, Nicola Sturgeon embarked on a rock star-style tour of Scotland, appearing in front of packed audiences around the country, usually illuminated on stage by a row of blazing lights. On Wednesday morning, in the more sedate Georgian surroundings of Bute House, the Scottish first minister’s official residence …

Scottish leader Sturgeon quits with independence goal unmet
1 year, 10 months ago

Scottish leader Sturgeon quits with independence goal unmet

Associated Press  

LONDON — Scottish leader Nicola Sturgeon said Wednesday that she plans to step down after more than eight years in office, amid criticism of her drive to expand transgender rights and her strategy for achieving independence from the United Kingdom. “That it’s right for me, for my party and my country.” Sturgeon, 52, has led Scotland since 2014, when Scots …

What Nicola Sturgeon’s resignation means for Scottish independence
1 year, 10 months ago

What Nicola Sturgeon’s resignation means for Scottish independence

The Independent  

The best of Voices delivered to your inbox every week - from controversial columns to expert analysis Sign up for our free weekly Voices newsletter for expert opinion and columns Sign up to our free weekly Voices newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Without falling entirely for the Great …

Nicola Sturgeon resigns as Scottish First Minister
1 year, 10 months ago

Nicola Sturgeon resigns as Scottish First Minister

The Hindu  

Scottish leader Nicola Sturgeon, the face of her country’s independence movement for eight years, has announced her intention to resign, amid criticism of her drive to make it easier for people to legally change genders. "That it’s right for me, for my party and my country.” Ms. Sturgeon, 52, has led Scotland since 2014, when Scots narrowly voted to remain …

Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon resigns
1 year, 10 months ago

Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon resigns

Al Jazeera  

Sturgeon became the leader of the ruling Scottish National Party in the wake of its 2014 independence referendum. Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has resigned after eight years in the job. Reacting to the resignation, fellow party leader Ian Blackford said Sturgeon was the “finest First Minster Scotland has ever had, and the finest friend anyone could hope for”. Nicola …

Scotland leader Nicola Sturgeon, outspoken advocate of Scottish independence, resigns
1 year, 10 months ago

Scotland leader Nicola Sturgeon, outspoken advocate of Scottish independence, resigns

LA Times  

Nicola Sturgeon, Scotland’s first minister for the last eight years, announces at a news conference that she is resigning. Scottish leader Nicola Sturgeon, the face of her country’s independence movement for the last eight years, announced Wednesday her intention to resign amid criticism of her drive to make it easier for people to legally change genders. Sturgeon’s announcement caught political …

Four in 10 Scots think Sturgeon should stand down, poll finds
1 year, 10 months ago

Four in 10 Scots think Sturgeon should stand down, poll finds

The Independent  

Sign up to our free Brexit and beyond email for the latest headlines on what Brexit is meaning for the UK Sign up to our Brexit email for the latest insight Sign up to our Brexit email for the latest insight SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy …

Poll shows slump in support for SNP and Scottish independence
1 year, 10 months ago

Poll shows slump in support for SNP and Scottish independence

The Independent  

Sign up to our free Brexit and beyond email for the latest headlines on what Brexit is meaning for the UK Sign up to our Brexit email for the latest insight Sign up to our Brexit email for the latest insight SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. The YouGov survey …

Poll suggests 54% of Scots would vote No in independence referendum
1 year, 11 months ago

Poll suggests 54% of Scots would vote No in independence referendum

The Independent  

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy An opinion poll suggests 54% of Scots would vote No …

Sunak pledges to work constructively with Scotland’s leader
1 year, 11 months ago

Sunak pledges to work constructively with Scotland’s leader

Associated Press  

LONDON — U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak pledged Friday to work constructively with Scotland’s leader despite tensions over her administration’s wish for a new independence referendum. “What I want to do as prime minister of the United Kingdom is work constructively with the Scottish government to make a difference to people in Scotland,” Sunak told the BBC. “We’ve got lots …

SNP MP warns Nicola Sturgeon's election ploy is 'massive gamble'
1 year, 11 months ago

SNP MP warns Nicola Sturgeon's election ploy is 'massive gamble'

Daily Mail  

A veteran SNP MP has warned Nicola Sturgeon's ploy of making the next election a 'de facto' Scottish independence referendum is a 'massive gamble' that could kill of the nationalists' ambitions. Pete Wishart has branded the tactic 'the worst possible way to settle the constitutional future' in an incendiary blog. SNP MP Pete Wishart has branded the tactic being pursued …

Latest poll suggests growing support for Scottish independence
2 years ago

Latest poll suggests growing support for Scottish independence

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Please try again later {{ …

Election as referendum: The Hindu Editorial on Scotland’s independence
2 years ago

Election as referendum: The Hindu Editorial on Scotland’s independence

The Hindu  

The United Kingdom’s Supreme Court ruling has extinguished, at least for the moment, the hopes of the Scottish National Party to conduct later next year a “consultative plebiscite” — a non-binding referendum on whether Scotland should be an independent nation. The highest court squashed two claims made by the Scottish government: first, that the consultative aspect of the referendum implied …

IndyRef2: Unlikely as it seems, did Nicola Sturgeon get the referendum result she wanted?
2 years, 1 month ago

IndyRef2: Unlikely as it seems, did Nicola Sturgeon get the referendum result she wanted?

The Independent  

The best of Voices delivered to your inbox every week - from controversial columns to expert analysis Sign up for our free weekly Voices newsletter for expert opinion and columns Sign up to our free weekly Voices newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. That’s what happened after the Supreme …

Indyref2: What now for Nicola Sturgeon’s push for an independent Scotland?
2 years, 1 month ago

Indyref2: What now for Nicola Sturgeon’s push for an independent Scotland?

The Independent  

Not unlike the constant back and forth over Brexit, the issue of Scottish independence has never really gone away since the referendum of 2014. Indeed, first minister Nicola Sturgeon called for “indyref2” in the wake of the UK vote on withdrawal from the EU – with Scotland having backed remain by 62 per cent to 38 per cent. “Any partnership …

UK top court rules against Scottish independence vote plan
2 years, 1 month ago

UK top court rules against Scottish independence vote plan

Associated Press  

LONDON — The U.K. Supreme Court ruled Wednesday that Scotland does not have the power to hold a new referendum on independence without the consent of the British government. Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said she would respect the ruling but continue the fight for independence, saying Scotland’s “democratic right to choose our own future” was at stake. The top …

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