First minister left with little but frustration

Nicola Sturgeon was clearly frustrated the Supreme Court has scuppered her hopes. She was not alone in that. Supporters on both sides of the constitutional divide will be left wondering what happens next.

Instead of answers, everyone was asked to wait until next year when SNP members will help shape a proposal to turn the next general election into a vote on independence.

Whether you are for or against, it is disappointing that real-life, problems will have to fight for room in a constitutional row.

The first minister appears to be in a tricky bind. If pro-independence parties win the majority of the vote in Scotland, that will be taken as a mandate to break up the union.

But neither Rishi Sunak nor Keir Starmer will be any more compelled to listen than they are now.

Beyond this, the first minister was left with little except lofty rhetoric and desperate hopes the UK Government might cave in.

“The first minister was left with little except lofty rhetoric

Legitimate questions may remain as to whether Westminster can indefinitely brush off demands for a referendum when SNP support remains high.

Certainly their approach will do nothing to win over backers of the independence movement who have no faith in the union.

Yet their anger will not help Ms Sturgeon secure a ballot.

So long as the country remains divided on independence, unionist parties understand they can bat off SNP demands without much consequence.

Most notable during Ms Sturgeon’s address was that she had nothing new to say. The election strategy for securing independence was first put forward in June.

Frustration from the SNP ranks seems inevitable, even if there’s nowhere for the first minister to go.

“No nation can be held irrevocably in a union against its will,” Ms Sturgeon said. It’s doubtful the prime minister will have been paying much attention.