Scottish Parliament approves new independence referendum

The Scottish Parliament has given its backing to a fresh referendum on independence, shoring up the existing mandate to give the Scottish people a choice about their future.

That mandate has been reinforced by the Scottish electorate through 4 consecutive elections – most recently with the SNP’s stunning victory at the 2019 general election.

The democratic wishes of Scotland’s electorate and Scotland’s national legislature must now be respected.

Introducing the motion to the Scottish Parliament, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said:

“I’m asking Parliament to endorse a basic but fundamental principle – that Scotland’s future should be decided, not by politicians at Westminster who haven’t won a general election in Scotland since the 1950s, but instead by all of us who live here and call Scotland home.”

“It is the sovereign right of the people of Scotland to determine the form of Government best suited to our needs. That is the declaration at the heart of the Claim Of Right and it should be endorsed by this Parliament today.”

The call for a second independence referendum was backed by 64 to 54 MSPs, who agreed that circumstances have changed since 2014 and that the people of Scotland should have a fresh choice.

It’s time. Sign the independence pledge at Yes.scot