![[UK] Scottish Independence: Johnson Rejects Sturgeon's “Indyref2” Demand](http://globalpayrollassociation.com/cdn/shop/articles/bigstock-Edinburgh-Castle-with-Cityscap-297064000_1200x.jpg?v=1579368116)
On the 19th of December 2019, Scottish first minister Nicola Sturgeon formally wrote to Prime Minister Boris Johnson to request the powers to legally stage another referendum (under a “section 30 order” of the 1998 Scotland Act). Alongside the letter, Mrs Sturgeon also published a 38-page document called “Scotland’s Right to Choose” asking for amendments that would devolve the rights on leaving the UK to Holyrood rather than London.
At the time, the first minister said “I’m going to stand my ground. I fully expect today we will get the flat no of Westminster opposition, but that will not be the end of the matter and Boris Johnson should not be under any illusion that it is.”
On the 14 of January 2020, Boris Johnson formally responded. He replied that both her and her predecessor (Alex Salmond) had promised in 2014 that the referendum would be a “once in a generation” opportunity. Having voted to remain in the UK, this was a vote that both the Scottish and UK governments pledged to respect. Therefore, in short, Mr Johnson refused the request for the devolution of powers to allow further independence referendums.
Global Payroll Association Comment
Although the prospect of a second independence vote in Scotland in 2020 looks a distant one, it is our belief that Mr Johnson will not have heard the last of this! Mrs Sturgeon claims that the SNP’s command of Scottish MPs indicates a mandate from the Scottish people to have the right to choose. Mr Johnson’s outright refusal seems likely to fuel the independence feeling amongst voters in this part of the UK and the threat of court action has not been ruled out.
2020 looks to be rocky in terms of dealings between the two with perhaps any stalemate being exacerbated in the 2021 Holyrood elections should the SNP win a majority.
This is not over so watch this space…………..
On the 19th of December 2019, Scottish first minister Nicola Sturgeon formally wrote to Prime Minister Boris Johnson to request the powers to legally stage another referendum (under a “section 30 order” of the 1998 Scotland Act). Alongside the letter, Mrs Sturgeon also published a 38-page document called “Scotland’s Right to Choose” asking for amendments that would devolve the rights on leaving the UK to Holyrood rather than London.
At the time, the first minister said “I’m going to stand my ground. I fully expect today we will get the flat no of Westminster opposition, but that will not be the end of the matter and Boris Johnson should not be under any illusion that it is.”
On the 14 of January 2020, Boris Johnson formally responded. He replied that both her and her predecessor (Alex Salmond) had promised in 2014 that the referendum would be a “once in a generation” opportunity. Having voted to remain in the UK, this was a vote that both the Scottish and UK governments pledged to respect. Therefore, in short, Mr Johnson refused the request for the devolution of powers to allow further independence referendums.
Global Payroll Association Comment
Although the prospect of a second independence vote in Scotland in 2020 looks a distant one, it is our belief that Mr Johnson will not have heard the last of this! Mrs Sturgeon claims that the SNP’s command of Scottish MPs indicates a mandate from the Scottish people to have the right to choose. Mr Johnson’s outright refusal seems likely to fuel the independence feeling amongst voters in this part of the UK and the threat of court action has not been ruled out.
2020 looks to be rocky in terms of dealings between the two with perhaps any stalemate being exacerbated in the 2021 Holyrood elections should the SNP win a majority.
This is not over so watch this space…………..