Ignoring Scottish referendum mandate would 'shatter' UK structure - Sturgeon

[rooster59]

Ignoring Scottish referendum mandate would 'shatter' UK structure - Sturgeon

By Elisabeth O'Leary

 

Party leader Nicola Sturgeon speaks at the Scottish National Party's conference in Aberdeen, Scotland, Britain March 18, 2017. REUTERS/Russell Cheyne

 

ABERDEEN, Scotland (Reuters) - Refusal by Britain's prime minister to discuss an independence referendum would "shatter beyond repair" the United Kingdom's constitutional structure, Nicola Sturgeon told her Scottish National Party on Saturday.

Sturgeon pledged to press on with plans to hold a new Scottish referendum as announced earlier this week, deepening a standoff with the UK government. Party faithful gave her a rapturous reception, cheering, clapping and jumping to their feet.

Sturgeon expects to get authorisation from the devolved Scottish parliament on Wednesday to seek the terms for a new secession vote, aiming for a date once the terms for Brexit are clear but before Britain leaves the EU.

"To stand in defiance of (Scottish parliamentary authorisation) would be for the prime minister to shatter beyond repair any notion of the UK as a respectful partnership of equals," Sturgeon, who is also Scotland's First Minister, said.

"Scotland's future will be in Scotland's hands."

Under the UK's constitutional arrangements, Britain's parliament needs to sign off on any legally binding vote in Scotland. Prime Minister Theresa May told Sturgeon this week that "now is not the time" for a new choice on independence as divorce talks for the world's fifth-largest economy with its erstwhile EU partners get under way. [L5N1GT4LN]

Although May did not deny a vote outright, Scottish nationalists predict her words could build support for secession because it will look like she is telling Scotland what to do.

"(May) has time to think again and I hope she does. If her concern is timing then - within reason - I am happy to have that discussion," Sturgeon said.

The two sides are in a standoff just days before Britain is expected to trigger Article 50 of the EU's Lisbon Treaty and start the complex Brexit procedure.

Last June's vote to leave the EU has altered the political landscape and shaken the ties of the United Kingdom's four nations. England, the UK's most populous nation, and Wales voted to leave while the Scots and the Northern Irish wanted to keep their EU membership.

"TIN EAR"

Scottish nationalists say the UK government has all but ignored their proposals of a bespoke deal for Scotland within Brexit.

"If (May) shows the same condescension and inflexibility, the same tin ear, to other EU countries as she has to Scotland then the Brexit process will hit the rocks," Sturgeon said.

She told Scottish television on Friday that she still has "options" if May refuses to acknowledge her mandate to call for a new vote, but declined to say what those options were.

There has been talk at the conference of the possibility of a consultative referendum, that is a poll not authorised by the British parliament. But it is far from clear what the next steps by the Scottish government might be.

"This is a step by step process. If we send an envelope to May and she returns it unopened, then we have the UK government not talking to the Scottish government," said a senior SNP source. "That is a constitutional crisis, or something very close to it."

Scottish voters rejected independence in 2014 by a 10 percentage point margin. But Sturgeon was elected last year on a manifesto which included the possibility of a new independence vote if there were a change in circumstances "such as Scotland being taken out of the EU against our will."

Speaking separately in Scotland, former prime minister Gordon Brown - who still has sway with many Scots who want to keep ties to the UK - said Brexit had torn up the status quo and there was a need for new powers for the Scottish parliament.

"The third option, a patriotic Scottish way and free from the absolutism of the SNP and the do-nothing-ism of the (Conservatives) is now essential.." Brown, of the Labour Party, told a Festival Of Ideas in Kirkcaldy.

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2017-03-19

[Dagnabbit]

They just had a referendum.

 

She wants to keep going till she gets the result she wants, right?

[canopus1969]

She's a 'has been' but wants to stay in the lime light   

[241536_1469957816]

She's a pathetic excuse for a leader and Alec Salmond's lapdog. A woman desperate to be relevant, recognised and obsessed with her own self importance.

She is blindly pursuing, at every twist and turn, another referendum which all the polls are showing, Scotland does not want. She has been an embarrassment in Europe to herself. She won't accept " NO " and is a spent force before she has even got going as a leader.

The effects of Brexit will be be managed by " BIg money " now that it is looking more certain to be heading for a separation from the EU. These faceless people that run the world have no time for her silly sideshows.

She has constantly been asked what she is going to do about Scotland's black hole in their budget of £15 billion, promising services that the country cannot pay for and so far has not answered. She just repeats the second referendum mantra.It's about time she got on with the job she is supposed to be doing.

The laughable thing about all of this was she wants to take power from London and give it to Brussels in the name of Scottish independence, which then becomes a contradiction in terms. When the UK leaves the EU, that includes Scotland. She is also attempting to exceed her authority and mandate.

Scotland would be insignificant in Europe unless part of the UK and would be treated on a par with Greece or Italy or worse, in decision making.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[241536_1469957816]

She's a pathetic excuse for a leader and Alec Salmond's lapdog. A woman desperate to be relevant, recognised and obsessed with her own self importance.

She is blindly pursuing, at every twist and turn, another referendum which all the polls are showing, Scotland does not want. She has been an embarrassment in Europe to herself. She won't accept " NO " and is a spent force before she has even got going as a leader.

The effects of Brexit will be be managed by " BIg money " now that it is looking more certain to be heading for a separation from the EU. These faceless people that run the world have no time for her silly sideshows.

She has constantly been asked what she is going to do about Scotland's black hole in their budget of £15 billion, promising services that the country cannot pay for and so far has not answered. She just repeats the second referendum mantra.It's about time she got on with the job she is supposed to be doing.

The laughable thing about all of this was she wants to take power from London and give it to Brussels in the name of Scottish independence, which then becomes a contradiction in terms. When the UK leaves the EU, that includes Scotland. She is also attempting to exceed her authority and mandate.

Scotland would be insignificant in Europe unless part of the UK and would be treated on a par with Greece or Italy or worse, in decision making.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[241536_1469957816]

She's a pathetic excuse for a leader and Alec Salmond's lapdog. A woman desperate to be relevant, recognised and obsessed with her own self importance.

She is blindly pursuing, at every twist and turn, another referendum which all the polls are showing, Scotland does not want. She has been an embarrassment in Europe to herself. She won't accept " NO " and is a spent force before she has even got going as a leader.

The effects of Brexit will be be managed by " BIg money " now that it is looking more certain to be heading for a separation from the EU. These faceless people that run the world have no time for her silly sideshows.

She has constantly been asked what she is going to do about Scotland's black hole in their budget of £15 billion, promising services that the country cannot pay for and so far has not answered. She just repeats the second referendum mantra.It's about time she got on with the job she is supposed to be doing.

The laughable thing about all of this was she wants to take power from London and give it to Brussels in the name of Scottish independence, which then becomes a contradiction in terms. When the UK leaves the EU, that includes Scotland. She is also attempting to exceed her authority and mandate.

Scotland would be insignificant in Europe unless part of the UK and would be treated on a par with Greece or Italy or worse, in decision making.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[241536_1469957816]

She's a pathetic excuse for a leader and Alec Salmond's lapdog. A woman desperate to be relevant, recognised and obsessed with her own self importance.

She is blindly pursuing, at every twist and turn, another referendum which all the polls are showing, Scotland does not want. She has been an embarrassment in Europe to herself. She won't accept " NO " and is a spent force before she has even got going as a leader.

The effects of Brexit will be be managed by " BIg money " now that it is looking more certain to be heading for a separation from the EU. These faceless people that run the world have no time for her silly sideshows.

She has constantly been asked what she is going to do about Scotland's black hole in their budget of £15 billion, promising services that the country cannot pay for and so far has not answered. She just repeats the second referendum mantra.It's about time she got on with the job she is supposed to be doing.

The laughable thing about all of this was she wants to take power from London and give it to Brussels in the name of Scottish independence, which then becomes a contradiction in terms. When the UK leaves the EU, that includes Scotland. She is also attempting to exceed her authority and mandate.

Scotland would be insignificant in Europe unless part of the UK and would be treated on a par with Greece or Italy or worse, in decision making.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[241536_1469957816]

She's a pathetic excuse for a leader and Alec Salmond's lapdog. A woman desperate to be relevant, recognised and obsessed with her own self importance.

She is blindly pursuing, at every twist and turn, another referendum which all the polls are showing, Scotland does not want. She has been an embarrassment in Europe to herself. She won't accept " NO " and is a spent force before she has even got going as a leader.

The effects of Brexit will be be managed by " BIg money " now that it is looking more certain to be heading for a separation from the EU. These faceless people that run the world have no time for her silly sideshows.

She has constantly been asked what she is going to do about Scotland's black hole in their budget of £15 billion, promising services that the country cannot pay for and so far has not answered. She just repeats the second referendum mantra.It's about time she got on with the job she is supposed to be doing.

The laughable thing about all of this was she wants to take power from London and give it to Brussels in the name of Scottish independence, which then becomes a contradiction in terms. When the UK leaves the EU, that includes Scotland. She is also attempting to exceed her authority and mandate.

Scotland would be insignificant in Europe unless part of the UK and would be treated on a par with Greece or Italy or worse, in decision making.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[241536_1469957816]

She's a pathetic excuse for a leader and Alec Salmond's lapdog. A woman desperate to be relevant, recognised and obsessed with her own self importance.

She is blindly pursuing, at every twist and turn, another referendum which all the polls are showing, Scotland does not want. She has been an embarrassment in Europe to herself. She won't accept " NO " and is a spent force before she has even got going as a leader.

The effects of Brexit will be be managed by " BIg money " now that it is looking more certain to be heading for a separation from the EU. These faceless people that run the world have no time for her silly sideshows.

She has constantly been asked what she is going to do about Scotland's black hole in their budget of £15 billion, promising services that the country cannot pay for and so far has not answered. She just repeats the second referendum mantra.It's about time she got on with the job she is supposed to be doing.

The laughable thing about all of this was she wants to take power from London and give it to Brussels in the name of Scottish independence, which then becomes a contradiction in terms. When the UK leaves the EU, that includes Scotland. She is also attempting to exceed her authority and mandate.

Scotland would be insignificant in Europe unless part of the UK and would be treated on a par with Greece or Italy or worse, in decision making.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[daveAustin]

Quote

"To stand in defiance of (Scottish parliamentary authorisation) would be for the prime minister to shatter beyond repair any notion of the UK as a respectful partnership of equals," Sturgeon, who is also Scotland's First Minister, said.

But you ain't and never will be until you can stop receiving pocket money and 'put in'. genuinely feel sorry for the Scots who do not subscribe to this female's idealistic tripe.

[sungod]

As the break up of the union would effect everyone in it, everyone in the UK should be allowed to vote.....

[hansnl]

2 hours ago, Dagnabbit said:

They just had a referendum.

 

She wants to keep going till she gets the result she wants, right?

That is the beloved EU style.

Besides, her political future depends on this.

An "independent" Scotland in the EU is not and will never be independent but will be governed by an unelected and undemocratic bunch of Europhiles.

 

Edited March 19, 2017 by hansnl

[phantomfiddler]

What,s wrong with this woman ? Didn,t she get enough attention as a child ?

[RuamRudy]

1 hour ago, daveAustin said:

 genuinely feel sorry for the Scots who do not subscribe to this female's idealistic tripe.

The good news is that there are fewer and fewer of them - soon you will apparently have a lot more money kept south of the border. As is the case now, most of you won't  benefit, but Panama lawyers and their UK clients will thanks us for the top-up.

 

 

[ROGER DUNN]

This poor demented woman , she may have a few "faithful " followers, but on the whole the rest of scots are sick and tired of this little wee haggis and are deeply embarrassed  by the way she is carrying on .

[sanukjim]

5 hours ago, canopus1969 said:

She's a 'has been' but wants to stay in the lime light   

Craw back into your hole Sturgeon,Your day in the sun is over.

[RuamRudy]

19 minutes ago, ROGER DUNN said:

 on the whole the rest of scots are sick and tired of this little wee haggis and are deeply embarrassed  by the way she is carrying on .

I don't know if you noticed the poll I highlighted in the post immediately before yours, but last week 51% of those polled said that they would vote SNP for the next Holyrood election. Another 4 % said that they would vote for the pro-independence Green party. Majority pro-indy for both constituency and list votes - are you sure that you are correct there?

[goldenbrwn1]

4 hours ago, whatawonderfulday said:

Are we sure she is female ?  Is she a witch or a wizard ?

Yep she's definately a female.......

[dabhand]

16 minutes ago, RuamRudy said:

I don't know if you noticed the poll I highlighted in the post immediately before yours, but last week 51% of those polled said that they would vote SNP for the next Holyrood election. Another 4 % said that they would vote for the pro-independence Green party. Majority pro-indy for both constituency and list votes - are you sure that you are correct there?

Interesting that the very same YouGov poll, as noted in your earlier post, had the level of support for Independence at 44% (excluding DK's). Strange that this was not noted in your post........

 

It has been clear for some time that the simplistic approach taken by some Indy supporters of assuming all SNP/Green voters prefer Independence is just not correct. Indeed other parties are also likely to have Indy supporters in their ranks. The battle lines are certainly not as clear as some would suggest. So, as in this instance, 1+1 does not equal 2, much as NS would prefer that to be the case and, being no fool, she is well aware of that. 

 

  http://whatscotlandthinks.org/questions/how-would-you-vote-in-the-in-a-scottish-independence-referendum-if-held-now-ask#table

 

[oldgent]

please can someone wake this woman up.

[RuamRudy]

30 minutes ago, dabhand said:

Interesting that the very same YouGov poll, as noted in your earlier post, had the level of support for Independence at 44% (excluding DK's). Strange that this was not noted in your post........

 

It has been clear for some time that the simplistic approach taken by some Indy supporters of assuming all SNP/Green voters prefer Independence is just not correct. Indeed other parties are also likely to have Indy supporters in their ranks. The battle lines are certainly not as clear as some would suggest. So, as in this instance, 1+1 does not equal 2, much as NS would prefer that to be the case and, being no fool, she is well aware of that. 

 

  http://whatscotlandthinks.org/questions/how-would-you-vote-in-the-in-a-scottish-independence-referendum-if-held-now-ask#table

 

Calm yourself there - I never made a statement about the likelihood of another referendum returning a better result, I merely pointed out that the polls do not suggest that :

 

1 hour ago, ROGER DUNN said:

on the whole the rest of scots are sick and tired of this little wee haggis and are deeply embarrassed  by the way she is carrying on .

You see, there is so much bile and hatred for the woman that this sort of garbage is spoken unchallenged constantly.

[Mosha]

On Dateline London this morning, someone said 35% of SNP voters voted for Brexit.

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[Mosha]

On Dateline London this morning, someone said 35% of SNP voters voted for Brexit.

Sent from my iris 505 using Tapatalk

[Mosha]

On Dateline London this morning, someone said 35% of SNP voters voted for Brexit.

Sent from my iris 505 using Tapatalk

[RuamRudy]

7 minutes ago, Mosha said:

On Dateline London this morning, someone said 35% of SNP voters voted for Brexit.

Sent from my iris 505 using Tapatalk
 

Yesterday I linked to an article that confirmed your figure or thereabouts - makes the proceeding picture look very confusing.

 

But the whole picture has been turned on its head now. How many ardent EU supporters voted No last time, but are now thinking of switching sides? Also, there are close to 600k people resident in Scotland who were born outside the UK. 57% of those voted to remain in the UK in 2014 - I imagine a significant number of those will swing away from Brexit in the event of an other referendum.

[rockingrobin]

6 minutes ago, RuamRudy said:

Yesterday I linked to an article that confirmed your figure or thereabouts - makes the proceeding picture look very confusing.

 

But the whole picture has been turned on its head now. How many ardent EU supporters voted No last time, but are now thinking of switching sides? Also, there are close to 600k people resident in Scotland who were born outside the UK. 57% of those voted to remain in the UK in 2014 - I imagine a significant number of those will swing away from Brexit in the event of an other referendum.

I suspect that is one of the reasons the UK gov would want to hold the referendum after Brexit, disallowing EU citizens in Scotland participating

[scubascuba3]

Isn't Sturgeon annoying, like a mosquito

[evadgib]

Tell them to get on with it but do so in the same timeframe as a general election ie by the 30th of April. Failure to do so at such short notice would allow HMG to bluntly shelve the matter until after the natl/local elections in 2021 which in turn will enable everyone to concentrate on leaving the EU as per the democratic will of the entire union inc the noisy bit feigning injustice at every opportunity to the North.

 

I'll check the petitions website shortly to see if anyone has suggested giving the rest of UK a vote to evict the Scots from the union. After all their incessant whining this would have done it at the first attempt.

 

For the record my position has always been that both sides are better off in a United Kingdom but i'll be glad to see the back of the 'professional victims' calling themselves the SNP.

 

 

Edited March 19, 2017 by evadgib

[Baerboxer]

21 hours ago, RuamRudy said:

Yesterday I linked to an article that confirmed your figure or thereabouts - makes the proceeding picture look very confusing.

 

But the whole picture has been turned on its head now. How many ardent EU supporters voted No last time, but are now thinking of switching sides? Also, there are close to 600k people resident in Scotland who were born outside the UK. 57% of those voted to remain in the UK in 2014 - I imagine a significant number of those will swing away from Brexit in the event of an other referendum.

 

I'm sure the SNP will again be contacting those residents born outside the UK and non UK citizens who will be permitted to vote in any future referendum and warning them to vote for an independent Scotland before those nasty Tories and UK government expel them.

 

Wonder if they'll consider letting children vote this time too. And of course, pretending it's all about staying in the EU, which they know won't happen, and which they were happy to leave in 2014.

 

Got to hand it to the SNP, they make the other parties look almost ethical.

[Baerboxer]

21 hours ago, rockingrobin said:

I suspect that is one of the reasons the UK gov would want to hold the referendum after Brexit, disallowing EU citizens in Scotland participating

 

And why should EU citizens living in Scotland be allowed to vote in something that is purely UK business?

 

Oh yea, SNP thought it would help their cause.