Constitution back on the agenda

Nicola Sturgeon dramatically ended her self-imposed abstinence from constitutional politics yesterday and fired the opening salvo ahead of next year ’s Scottish Parliament elections.

Her plans for a bill setting out the timing of a second vote on independence was the surprise inclusion in her programme for government.

It would be unfair to say this dominated her 20-page speech which included a range of measures to bolster the NHS and support the country’s battered economy. But the prospect of a repeat of the 2104 vote was always going to dominate the headlines.

Ms Sturgeon has studiously sought to avoid talking about independence during the Covid pandemic.

My focus, she would insist, is tackling this major public health crisis. But as fundamentalists in her party push for a more agressive approach on the constitution and the prospect emerges of Nationalist splinter groups running on an “alternative” independence ticket at Holyrood next year, the First Minister cleary decided it was time to make a stand.

It remains to be seen what will come of the proposed Scottish Parliament Bill. With the consititution being reserved to Westminster. Will Holyrood’s Presiding Officer Ken Macintosh block it?

Ministers are now readying themselves for the inevitable court showdown to clarify who has the right to call indyref2 - Holyrood or Westminster?

As polls show a clear majority of Scots now back independence, Ms Sturgeon’s latest move will only serve to heap the pressure on Boris Johnson.

He has so far rejected calls for a another referendum. Will he waver if Nationalists form another majority after next year ’s Holyrood election?