First Minister confirms plan to use next election as 'de facto' referendum
Nicola Sturgeon says 'democracy is at stake' after the Supreme Court ruled a second referendum can't happen without Westminster's approval
The First Minister says the next general election will act as a “de-facto referendum” on Scottish independence – after the Supreme Court ruled another referendum cannot take place without the approval of Westminster.
Judges at the UK's highest court found the Scottish Parliament "does not have the power to legislate for a referendum on Scottish independence".
Speaking after the judgment, Nicola Sturgeon vowed to continue making the case for independence, saying: "As long as there is breath in my body, I refuse to give up on the basic principle of democracy."
Further details on SNP plan to be set out in new year
She said a special SNP conference will be held in the new year "to discuss and agree the detail of a proposed de facto referendum", using the next UK election – adding that: "no party can dictate the basis on which people cast their votes.
"But a party can be, indeed should be, crystal clear about the purpose for which it is seeking popular support.
"In this case, for the SNP that will be to establish - just as in a referendum - majority support in Scotland for independence so that we can then achieve independence."
She said the SNP will also "launch and mobilise a major campaign in defence of Scottish democracy".
Speaking to journalists in Edinburgh, she declared: "We should be in no doubt, as of today democracy is what is at stake.
"This is no longer about whether Scotland becomes independent, vital though that decision is. It is now more fundamental.
"It is now about whether or not we even have the basic democratic right to choose our own future.”
Ahead of a pro-independence protest taking place later on Wednesday, she said "we will see the real spirit of the independence movement" in the days and months to come.
Asked whether votes for the Scottish Greens and the Alba Party would count towards the pro-independence mandate, she said the SNP's conference would determine such matters.
De facto referendum 'not preferred option'
She was also questioned on whether her plan for a de facto referendum is a "trap" for the independence movement which could kill off hopes for independence for years if she fails to secure 50% of the vote.
The First Minister said she has dedicated much of her life to the cause of independence, saying a de facto referendum is not her preferred option.
She added: "Anybody who says 'we can't do this because we might not win'. Well, if we can't win then we don't deserve to be independent.
"I can't imagine anybody doesn't grasp that central basic fact of democracy."
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak welcomed the "clear and definitive" ruling from the Supreme Court
Prime Minister encourages governments to work together
Speaking during Prime Minister's Questions in the Commons, he said: "The people of Scotland want us to be working on fixing the major challenges that we collectively face, whether that's the economy, supporting the NHS or indeed supporting Ukraine.
"Now is the time for politicians to work together, and that's what this Government will do."
Speaking on the prospect of the next general election acting as a de facto referendum Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar told MFR News that would distract from the more important issue of removing the Conservatives from power: “I just don’t believe the de facto referendum strategy is credible.
“What we will be voting on in that election is to put out the rotten, economically illiterate, morally bankrupt Conservative party that’s been in power for too long across the United Kingdom and electing a Labour government instead, and that’s what I’m going to be focussing on.”