Another referendum on Scotland’s independence, after 2014, was held by British Minister Michael Covey, when the population of this historic nation was “integrated”.
“There is a policy that the Scottish people, under the right circumstances, can question again (whether they want to leave the UK),” the British Foreign Secretary said. In an interview published on Sunday in the Scottish newspaper Sunday Mail.
The Scottish-born conservative politician said, “I don’t think this is appropriate. People don’t think it’s right to ask questions now.”
Asked if the London government, which is supposed to approve a hypothetical referendum, wants to oppose it indefinitely – it has so far rejected it – Covey says: “No, if there is a clear consensus in favor of a referendum, there will be one”.
The minister did not mention what Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s government considers to be the “combined will” of the Scottish electorate.
By 2020, support for Scottish independence was estimated at 58%, although this year it has already declined. Recent study of Sunday Times Put this support at 48%.
In the Scottish legislature on May 6, Nicola Sturgeon’s Scottish National Party (SNP) was on the verge of an absolute majority, demanding 64 of the 65 seats (out of a total of 129 in the Edinburgh parliament), but was able to form an alliance with seven Green Party representatives, both in favor of independence.
In the historic 2014 referendum, promoted by the SNP and endorsed by the British Conservative government, 55.3% voted 44.7% against the Scots staying in the UK.
