What's happened
On the 10th anniversary of Scotland's independence referendum, Nicola Sturgeon expressed optimism for Scotland's future as an independent nation. She highlighted a potential shift in UK governance, including Irish reunification and greater autonomy for Wales, while reflecting on the challenges faced since the 2014 vote.
Why it matters
What the papers say
According to Libby Brooks in The Guardian, Nicola Sturgeon believes Scotland's independence is achievable, stating, "I believe that... we will see Scotland become an independent country." However, Douglas Alexander, a former pro-union campaigner, argues that Scotland has moved on from the independence debate, emphasizing a desire for change through devolution instead. Meanwhile, Ruth Davidson criticized Sturgeon for her approach post-Brexit, suggesting she missed opportunities for a second referendum. BBC News highlights Sturgeon's commitment to campaigning for independence, indicating her belief that a Yes vote was within reach in 2014. The ongoing discussions about governance in the UK, including potential Irish reunification, add complexity to the independence narrative.
How we got here
The 2014 independence referendum saw Scotland vote against independence, leading to significant political changes. Since then, the SNP has faced electoral challenges and internal controversies, while calls for a second referendum have persisted 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 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.
-
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.