A referendum act won’t thwart the Scottish nationalists

As someone who has been banging the drum for Westminster to legislate to secure the Union, it might seem churlish to gripe when legislation is proposed. In my defence, I am Scottish: churlishness is my birthright and griping my national pastime. So allow me to explain my grievances with the referendum act, which the Sunday Times says Liz Truss will introduce to ‘wreck the campaign for Scottish independence’.

For one thing, I’m a traditionalist in these matters. I prefer the wrecking of the campaign for Scottish independence to be left to the experts: campaigners for Scottish independence. For another, passing a referendum act plays into the nationalist narrative that another referendum, or even independence itself, is inevitable. It is not. Years ago, I tried to draw up suitable encumbrances on independence but the very exercise is defeatist. There need never be another referendum.

The legislative scheme being proposed establishes a three-step journey to Scottish independence.