The next Prime Minister, whoever they are, really needs to get a grip on the declinism and defeatism of the UK government. A case in point is the statement issued today confirming ministers have submitted their case to the Supreme Court in the referendum showdown with Nicola Sturgeon.
For those unfamiliar, the Scottish government intends to hold a referendum on independence next year, despite the Union being reserved to Westminster under the Scotland Act and Westminster declining to grant permission. So Sturgeon’s Lord Advocate — who isn’t herself convinced that her First Minister’s plan is lawful — will now argue before the Supreme Court that Holyrood doesn’t need Westminster’s permission to hold an ‘advisory’ referendum.
Westminster hopes the Supreme Court will uphold the conventional interpretation of the Scotland Act, and reiterates its position in this statement: ‘People across Scotland want both their governments to be working together on the issues that matter to them and their families, not talking about another independence referendum.
The UK government, regardless of who leads it, regardless of which party is in power, cannot win against the Scottish government
‘We have today submitted our written case to the Supreme Court, in accordance with its timetable.
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