A SPANISH daily newspaper has published a detailed article on Scottish independence and the debate around “plan B”.
It is the latest international media outlet to devote parts of its news coverage to political events in Scotland and comes amid intense and growing interest across the world in the country’s future in the UK.
The article, published in Nius Diario yesterday and written by its London-based correspondent Daniel Postico, put a focus on the demand for an alternative route to independence if Boris Johnson does not agree to a second referendum.
It reported on Angus MacNeil’s and Chris McEleny’s calls for the First Minister to give the Prime Minister a deadline of March 31 to say whether he will grant a Section 30 order – and if not for the Scottish Government to hold a vote if there is a pro-independence majority in Holyrood after the May elections.
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“An MP and a councillor from the Scottish National Party (SNP) have presented an internal manifesto to pressure their leader, Nicola Sturgeon, to call an independence referendum even without the consent of the central government,” the article said.
“They propose to give Boris Johnson an ultimatum until March 31 to accept the consultation [referendum] or to convert the Scottish regional elections of May 6 into plebiscites and, if the pro-independence supporters prevail, then call the consultation [referendum] as well. And if they win, unilaterally declare Scotland’s independence from the United Kingdom.”
It added: “The two members in question are Angus MacNeil and Chris McEleny and behind them is an important faction within the party that is beginning to grow impatient with the repeated nos in London and the absence of a plan B in the SNP.”
Responding to the coverage, McEleny said: “The legacy of Brexit is that the reputation of the UK Government is in tatters and the Boris Johnson Government isn’t just untrustworthy at home, it’s also not trusted across the EU.
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“I’ve always believed that for Scotland to become independent the only legitimacy that matters is that which is given by the Scottish people, however it is clear that the international community are increasingly aware of the undemocratic position of the UK, something that will ensure that whichever democratic route we take towards independence – it will have international recognition as long as it is viewed as legitimate in Scotland.”
Under the sub-heading “The resurgence of the independentistas”, the article said: “In the SNP they are clear that the only alternative to Brexit is independence, but they do not know how to get there.
“The problem is the wall that they find in London every time they ask for a new consultation [referendum].
“To convene it they need the consent of London, the famous Section 30 that transfers the powers of the central Parliament of London to that of Edinburgh and that in 2013 David Cameron, then British prime minister, gave Alex Salmond, then Scottish chief minister.”
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The story also highlighted key moments in Scotland’s historical relationship with England, including the entering of the Union with England in 1707.
“In 2014 it was the first time in 300 years that Scotland had the opportunity to secede from the UK. Scotland and England spent much of the Middle Ages at war, with the English invading Scottish territories and the latter defending themselves,” it said.
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The article then mentioned the 2014 referendum, how the vote came about, the 55% vote to stay in the Union, and highlighted support for independence has now “skyrocketed to 58%” under Brexit and Johnson as Prime Minister.
“The problem is that one of the main arguments of the Unionists in the 2014 consultation was that if Scotland became independent it would stay out of the EU. And many Scots voted to stay in the UK to stay in the EU,” it said.
“The SNP is the big favourite with 50% on average in the intention to vote [in May]. What nobody knows is what will happen after the independentistas win and London opposes another referendum.”
It added the First Minister was wary of pushing ahead with a referendum without the authorisation of London because “it would not be recognised internationally and they would lose the credibility that they have right now. In addition, she is very aware of what happened with the Catalan referendum. She is in favour of continuing to pressure London.”
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The SNP's conference committee rejected two Plan B motions for debate at its conference in November, prompting grassroots anger.
Later this month the party will discuss alternative routes to independence at a virtual National Assembly meeting in a bid to settle tensions and make progress on its goal to achieve independence.
Some 18 successive polls have in recents months given majority support for independence.
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