Should Theresa May grant a Scottish independence vote?
The scene is set for an epic constitutional showdown if the UK Government refuses to grant permission for a second Scottish independence referendum, writes Political Editor David Williamson. Leading Welsh figures give their take on the PM’s dilemma
Dafydd Elis-Thomas The Independent Dwyfor Meirionnydd AM said the Prime Minister should not stand in the way of the people of Scotland.
He said: “I grew up politically in an age when the principle of self-determination of peoples and nations was paramount. Any decision on the future of Scotland must be for the Scottish Parliament and Government, representing the Scottish people.
“As a Welsh and UK parliamentarian I would not presume to advise them, let alone stand in their way. I would expect the UK Prime Minister to take the same view, in line with the right of the Scottish people to determine their own national future.”
Paul Flynn Newport West Labour MP Paul Flynn argues Theresa May cannot turn down the request to hold an independence referendum.
The former Shadow Welsh Secretary said: “She has a real dilemma but it’s another one of the contradictions of ludicrous constitution .... She can’t sensibly refuse the will of the people of Scotland and the will of the people of Scotland is expressed at the ballot [by] the democratically elected members who are overwhelmingly Scottish nationalist.”
Acknowledging the potential for a constitutional crisis, he added: “The reason we’re in this position is because the Conservative Prime Minister wanted to solve an internal problem in his party, divided between eurosceptics and euro-loyalists. We’ve got this hideous mess for which there is no obvious way out.”
Rachel Banner A leading figure in True Wales, which opposed giving the Assembly primary law-making powers in the 2011 referendum, Ms Banner argues the PM has good reason not to give the thumbs-up to a public vote.
She said: “When she thought she would win, Nicola Sturgeon repeatedly described the Scottish referendum on independence as a ‘once in a generation opportunity’.
“The people of Scotland overwhelmingly voted to stay in the UK.
“It seems that Mrs Sturgeon, failing to respect the outcome of the vote, is quite happy to hold referenda, at the expense of the British taxpayer and on the same subject, every three years, in the hope that she will eventually get the result she wants. Since the Scottish First Minister’s overriding aim is to break up the United Kingdom, Prime Minister May has every reason and justification to rule out a second referendum.”
Jonathan Edwards Plaid Cymru Carmarthen East and Dinefwr MP Jonathan Edwards is adamant Westminster should grant the Section 30 order to clear the way for a referendum.
He said: “There’s a clear electoral mandate for the SNP to hold this referendum at a time of their own choosing. The SNP manifesto held the provision that a referendum may be held if there’s a material change in circumstance...
“The Scottish Government have been very responsible. They’ve put forward a compromise proposal whereby Scotland will remain within the European Economic Area [but] the UK Government are acting in a completely intransigent way...
“The Prime Minister and the Tories think the UK is still a unilateral state run from Westminster. It’s not. It’s a multipolar state now with four governments and the manner they are dealing with Brexit is creating all sorts of political tensions.”
Neil Hamilton The leader of the Ukip Assembly group favours calling Nicola Sturgeon’s “bluff” and clearing the way for a referendum, saying: “I don’t believe for a moment that Sturgeon really wants [a referendum]. It’s just gesture politics on her part, trying to push May into a corner and get her to say she doesn’t want to consult the people.
“My view is consulting the people is never wrong and I think it’s a fair point that since the last Scottish referendum we have taken the decision to leave the EU... Let’s assume the EU isn’t going to do a deal with us and let’s have a referendum on that basis... I think we should prick the bubble of the SNP’s delusions.”
Glyn Davies The Montgomeryshire Conservative MP would not offer advice to the PM on this subject but he hoped a referendum will not be held until the Brexit process is complete.
He said: “I think the First Minister of Scotland is being very opportunistic... Personally, I would not want to see that referendum taking place until the process of leaving the European Union was over. “That’s my personal view.” However, he said: “I think Scotland will remain in the union and they’ll decide to do it because it’s of benefit to Scotland.”
Jeff Jones The former Labour Bridgend council leader said the Prime Minister should grant permission to hold a referendum right away.
He said: “If May wants to play into Sturgeon’s hands, don’t give them a referendum. If she really wants to take them on, give the referendum tomorrow...
“If you want to stop Scottish independence then basically the way to do it is to call her bluff.”
He argued that democracy should be allowed to take its course, saying: “If Holyrood votes for a referendum then the UK Parliament should push it through no problem at all and let the people of Scotland decide. If they want to leave the United Kingdom, even if it’s economically a disaster, that’s their right.”