What's happened
As Scotland marks the 10th anniversary of the 2014 independence referendum, former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon expresses optimism for future independence amid ongoing political challenges. Polls show little change in public sentiment, with support for independence stabilizing just below 50%. The SNP faces internal and external pressures as calls for a second referendum persist.
Why it matters
What the papers say
In a reflection on the 10th anniversary of the independence referendum, Nicola Sturgeon stated, "I believe that, perhaps as part of a wider shake-up of UK governance, we will see Scotland become an independent country" (The Guardian). This sentiment contrasts with Douglas Alexander's assertion that Scotland has moved on from the independence debate, emphasizing a desire for practical changes rather than further devolution (The Guardian). Meanwhile, the BBC highlights Sturgeon's frustration with Westminster's refusal to allow a second referendum, stating, "I came up against a brick wall of Westminster democracy denial" (BBC News). The ongoing discussions about independence are underscored by the SNP's electoral challenges and the public's mixed feelings about the issue, as noted by Sky News, which reported that many believe the independence question has received too much attention in recent years.
How we got here
The 2014 referendum saw 55.3% vote against independence, leading to significant political shifts in Scotland. Since then, the SNP has experienced electoral successes and setbacks, including a recent loss of seats and ongoing investigations into party finances. The debate over a second referendum continues amid changing political dynamics in the UK.
Common question
-
What are Nicola Sturgeon's latest views on Scottish independence?
As Scotland marks the 10th anniversary of its independence referendum, Nicola Sturgeon has shared her thoughts on the future of the independence movement. With a mix of optimism and challenges, her perspective raises important questions about the current state of the movement and its potential trajectory. Below, we explore key questions surrounding Scottish independence and the evolving political landscape.
More on these topics
-
Nicola Ferguson Sturgeon is a Scottish politician serving as the fifth First Minister of Scotland and the Leader of the Scottish National Party since November 2014. She is the first woman to hold either position.
-
Alexander Elliot Anderson Salmond is a Scottish politician who served as the First Minister of Scotland from 2007 to 2014. He was the leader of the Scottish National Party for over 20 years, serving two terms, from 1990 to 2000 and from 2004 to 2014.
-
Brexit is the withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union. Following a UK-wide referendum in June 2016, in which 52% voted to leave and 48% voted to remain in the EU, the UK Government which was then led by Theresa May formally declared the c
-
Ruth Elizabeth Davidson is a Scottish politician serving as Leader of the Conservative Party in the Scottish Parliament since 2020. She served as Leader of the Scottish Conservative Party from 2011 to 2019.
-
The Scottish National Party is a Scottish nationalist and social-democratic political party in Scotland. The SNP supports and campaigns for Scottish independence within the European Union, with a platform based on civic nationalism.
-
The Northern Ireland Act 1998 is an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom which established a devolved legislature for Northern Ireland, the Northern Ireland Assembly, after decades of direct rule from Westminster.
-
The Good Friday Agreement, or Belfast Agreement, is a pair of agreements signed on 10 April 1998 that ended most of the violence of the Troubles, a political conflict in Northern Ireland that had been ongoing since the 1960s.
-
Michelle O'Neill is an Irish politician serving as deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland since 2020. She has served as Vice President of Sinn Féin since 2018 and has been a Member of the Legislative Assembly for Mid Ulster since 2007.
-
Sir Keir Rodney Starmer KCB QC MP is a British politician and former lawyer who has served as Leader of the Labour Party and Leader of the Opposition since 2020. He has been Member of Parliament for Holborn and St Pancras since 2015.
-
Sinn Féin is a centre-left to left-wing Irish republican political party active in both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.
-
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Covering the northern third of the island of Great Britain, mainland Scotland has a 96 mile border with England to the southeast and is otherwise surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean to the north and w