The Scottish National Party (SNP) has announced its intention to immediately begin negotiations with the British government on Scotland’s independence if they win a majority of seats in next year’s general election. First Secretary Humza Yousaf has signed a new strategy outlining this plan, which was authored by the SNP’s Westminster leader, Stephen Flynn. The motion, which has been approved by Yousaf and will be debated at an upcoming party conference in Aberdeen, asserts that if the SNP achieves a majority in Scottish seats, the Scottish Government will have the authority to engage in negotiations with the UK Government to establish Scotland as an independent country.
As part of the strategy, Scottish lawmakers would release a document outlining the terms of independence talks and present a draft legal text concerning the transfer of powers from Westminster. Yousaf’s predecessor, Nicola Sturgeon, previously led Scotland in holding a referendum on independence in 2014. Despite the public’s 55-44% vote to remain in the UK, both Sturgeon and Yousaf argue that support for independence has grown since the UK’s departure from the European Union in 2016. Sturgeon pledged to hold a second independence referendum last year, and now Yousaf proposes that his party would enter into immediate negotiations if they win the election.
Yousaf has also stated that if Scotland becomes independent, he would seek EU membership. While previous Conservative British prime ministers have stated their refusal to recognize a second referendum, when asked if Labour Party Leader Keir Starmer would be more receptive to negotiations, Yousaf replied, “it’s really a question for Keir Starmer.” He added that since it is unlikely for Westminster to approve a second referendum, the upcoming election would be the means to achieve their goal.
However, Yousaf’s strategy has faced criticism, with former SNP Leader Alex Salmond labeling the proposal to base independence on a majority of seats as not credible. Salmond argues that if Westminster has consistently dismissed a majority of SNP seats as a mandate for a referendum, it is unlikely that they would accept it as a mandate for negotiating independence. Recent polls have shown negative public support for independence, with eight out of ten major polls conducted since mid-June indicating this sentiment, including a tied result and a narrow lead for the pro-independence side.
The SNP’s strategy to initiate secession talks with the UK government if they win a majority of seats reflects their determination to pursue independence for Scotland. The upcoming party conference will provide an opportunity for further debate and discussion on this plan. The decision to seek EU membership post-independence adds another dimension to the Scottish independence debate and raises questions about Scotland’s relationship with both the UK and the EU. With the public divided on the issue, the outcome of the general election and potential negotiations will undoubtedly have significant implications for Scotland’s future.
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