Stephen Daisley Stephen Daisley

Nicola Sturgeon has a key advantage in her independence fight

The Scottish First Minister is driven by a steely faith that her counterparts in Westminster do not have

(Credit: Getty images)

Nicola Sturgeon has unveiled her plan for another referendum on Scottish independence. The plebiscite – which Westminster will have to legislate for – will use the same question as in 2014 (‘Should Scotland be an independent country?’), and take place on 19 October 2023. The Lord Advocate, one of Sturgeon’s ministers, has referred the provisions of the Bill to the Supreme Court to determine whether they are in line with devolved powers. Writs have been served on the UK Government this afternoon. If the Court rules against the SNP, they will fight the next general election solely on independence, which Sturgeon asserts would be ‘a de facto referendum’.

We can expect the London political, media and think-tank class to now wet their pants. They always do whenever Sturgeon rattles her sabre. Brace for impact from people who have read entire Wikipedia entries about Scottish politics clamouring for yet more powers for Holyrood or the blessed viaticum of federalism. The

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