Independence the only way out of ‘broken Westminster’
Nicola Sturgeon has told the Scottish Parliament independence is the only solution to the “broken government” of Westminster after the chaos of Brexit.
Her declaration came as the pro-independence Greens turned up the pressure on the SNP leader to set out her plans for a second referendum on leaving the UK.
Ms Sturgeon repeated her long-held position that she will set out her plans when this phase of Brexit negotiations have reached a conclusion. She also called on Mrs May to revoke Article 50 and halt the Brexit process if she loses a third vote on her withdrawal deal next week.
“The frustration people feel right now at our country, Scotland’s future, being determined by the DUP and a cabal of right-wing Tories is understandable and I absolutely share it,” Ms Sturgeon told MSPS at First Minister’s Questions yesterday. “I said I’d wait until the end of this phase of Brexit negotiations before setting out my views and the way forward for Scotland.
“Having done so this long, I think it is reasonable to wait to see what clarity emerges in the next few days, even if I suspect that will just be clarity that there will be no clarity. And then I will set out my views on the path forward.
“But there is no doubt – nobody can be in any doubt that change is needed. The last three years have shown that
0 Nicola Sturgeon is waiting to see what ‘clarity emerges’
the status quo is broken. It cannot protect Scotland from the folly of Brexit and all that flows from that.
“Even the most ardent unionists must see that the way we
are governed now by Westminster is broken. The question is ‘how do we fix that for the future?’ And there’s no doubt in my mind that letting people in Scotland choose an independent future is the best way to do that.”
Patrick Harvie, co-leader of the pro-independence Greens, urged Ms Sturgeon to set out her plans.
“Scotland needs the freedom to take a different direction, leave behind this chaos and find our own way out of the crisis,” he said. “It’s why we need our independence.”
Even when Ms Sturgeon sets out her plans, the constitution lies within Westminster’s control. The Prime Minister has ruled out a section 30 order, which would give Holyrood power in this area. Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie said Scottish independence would compound the “division and chaos” of Brexit and accused Ms Sturgeon of being inconsistent for believing leaving the EU would be “chaotic”, but Scottish independence will be a “piece of cake”.
Pamela Nash, chief executive of Scotland in Union, said: “Nicola Sturgeon is behaving irresponsibly and treating the Brexit crisis as an opportunity to promote her divisive agenda rather than behaving like a First Minister prepared to bring the country together. If the Brexit process has taught us anything, it has proved how incredibly difficult it is to leave a union of nations.”