Ignoring multiple election results, the UK government is determined to put the issue of Scottish independence to bed.
In refusing a referendum, Tories have some crucial support. The opposition Labour Party and the UK media parrot the same justifications. And the London-based UK Supreme Court has ruled that Scottish sovereignty lies in Westminster. In the 21st century. In a normal European country, you would expect institutional criticism of a government disregarding the democratic process so brazenly. In the UK there has been almost zero. Almost nobody is defending the validity of Scottish voters. It’s a strategy that’s counting on doubt, apathy, and continued voter fatigue.
It’s not a Union of equals if one part can’t leave. Scottish voters and Scottish mps can always be outvoted. While a Tory will always say ‘everyone’s vote is counted equally’ it’s rare that Scots gets what they vote for, in UK plebiscites.
The FPTP voting system. The unelected House of Lords. Archaic parliamentary ceremony and practices. Peerages for party donors. The corruption. The huge and distant local authorities. British democracy is a mess. National and local government. Structurally and day to day.
“The Scottish Parliament does not have the power to legislate on a referendum on Scottish independence” – Supreme Court president Lord Reed, London, 2022
