Sturgeon’s vow after court ruling on referendum
NICOLA Sturgeon has vowed to use the next general election to try to win Scottish independence - after the Supreme Court ruled another referendum cannot be held without the backing of Westminster.
Judges at the UK’S highest court announced their unanimous ruling on Wednesday, making clear the Scottish Parliament “does not have the power to legislate for a referendum on Scottish independence”.
Following the judgment, the Scottish First Minister said a special SNP conference will be held in the new year “to discuss and agree the detail of a proposed de facto referendum”, using the next UK election.
She said: “No party can dictate the basis on which people cast their votes.
“But a party can be, indeed should be, crystal clear about the purpose for which it is seeking popular support.
“In this case, for the SNP that will be to establish - just as in a referendum majority support in Scotland for independence so that we can then achieve independence.”
She said the SNP will also “launch and mobilise a major campaign in defence of Scottish democracy”.