We are disappointed that the Supreme Court has not recognised the Scottish Government’s right to ask the people of Scotland their opinion on self-determination, particularly as enshrined in the Edinburgh Agreement, which states that the 2014 referendum does not preclude further referenda.Â
It should be noted that elsewhere in the four nations, the UK government does not rule out the need to revisit such questions, understanding that situation and people’s views are subject to change. The Northern Ireland Act of 1998 lay out the conditions for subsequent border polls on Irish Unification can be allowed, but no sooner than 7 years following previous referenda on the issue. It is illogical and undemocratic that Scotland should be so differently treated.
Granting the right to hold a referendum does not in itself affect the constitutional powers reserved to the Westminster Government. It merely allows the question to be asked; then, depending on the outcome, to begin negotiations for a different constitutional future.
Scotland now finds itself in a position where, in a supposed partnership, we are denied our fundamental right to self-determination by our government.Â
The First Minister has stated that the next option is to campaign for a General Election on the single question of independence.
We in WFI will continue to campaign for human-rights-based independent Scotland.Â
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Women for Independence National Committee, 23/11/22