MP asks for Commons to recognise Scotland’s ‘historic right’ to decide how it is governed
UK ministers are to face increased pressure to respect the “historic right” of Scots to decide how they are governed, amid moves toward a second independence referendum.
SNP MP Patrick Grady is to lead a parliamentary debate on the Claim of Right for Scotland, which has roots in the 17th century and helped pave the way for devolution via an agreed set of principles in 1989.
Following a constitutional convention, which the SNP withdrew from as it did not consider Scottish independence, the Claim of Right reaffirmed the sovereign right of the Scottish people to determine the government best suited to their needs.
Mr Grady said decisions are still being “foisted upon” Scotland by Westminster, adding this has been highlighted by the UK seeking to withdraw from the EU.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon warned a second independence referendum was “highly likely” immediately after the Brexit vote given that a majority of Scots backed Remain.
She has since launched a fresh bid to convince Scottish voters to back independence almost two years on from the September 2014
referendum, which saw a 55 per cent to 45 per cent vote for remaining in the UK.
Areas of concern for the SNP also include changes in Parliament to ensure only English MPS vote on laws relating to England.
Speaking ahead of his debate, Mr Grady said: “What we would argue, as the SNP, is there is still a democratic deficit; we’re still having decisions we didn’t vote for foisted upon us.
“The key principle of the Claim of Right is the sovereignty of the people of Scotland to choose the form of government best for themselves – the historical concept of popular sovereignty in Scotland.
“In the UK, sovereignty has always been about the crown and monarch.”
The Glasgow North MP said the Claim of Right concept was revisited by the Scottish Parliament in 2012 in the context of the independence referendum.
Mr Grady explained: “This idea that even if you disagree with independence you ought to agree with the principle of referendum and the right of the the Scottish people to choose the form of governance.
“My point is that the principle still holds true and in the context of Brexit we have clearly voted for Remain but the UK as a whole has voted to leave.”