NICOLA Sturgeon has shared her reaction as the Supreme Court decided Scotland doesn’t have the power to hold an independence referendum without the UK’s permission.
The First Minister said she was “disappointed” by the verdict after judges ruled on Wednesday morning.
The SNP chief argued that the court’s finding helps to “expose [the] myth” of the UK as a voluntary partnership.
“While disappointed by it I respect ruling of @UKSupremeCourt - it doesn't make law, only interprets it,” she wrote.
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“A law that doesn't allow Scotland to choose our own future without Westminster consent exposes as myth any notion of the UK as a voluntary partnership & makes case for indy.”
"Scottish democracy will not be denied," she went on. "Today’s ruling blocks one route to Scotland’s voice being heard on independence - but in a democracy our voice cannot and will not be silenced."
The First Minister had been hoping to hold indyref2 on October 19, 2023, if the court found the Parliament could move forward with it legally.
She made clear ahead of the judges' unanimous verdict that if they ruled it out, the next General Election would be used as a de-facto referendum on Scottish independence.
Speaking later at a press conference in Edinburgh, Sturgeon revealed that her party would be holding an emergency conference in the new year to establish how that de-facto referendum would work.
The party will also be launching a campaign on Scottish democracy, she said.
Sturgeon told journalists: “I’m well aware that there will be a real sense of frustration today, in both the SNP and in the wider movement.
“I share that. My message though is this: while that is understandable, it must be short lived – and I believe it will be.
“Indeed, I suspect we will start to see just how short-lived in the strength of the gatherings planned for later today in Edinburgh and other parts of Scotland.”
She said the case of Scottish independence is “now essential” because of “what Westminster control means on a day-to-day basis now and for future generations”.
In its ruling, the Supreme Court concluded that “a lawful referendum” on independence would “undoubtedly be an important political event, even if its outcome had no immediate legal consequences, and even if the United Kingdom Government had not given any political commitment to act upon it”.
They continued: “A clear outcome, whichever way the question was answered, would possess the authority, in a constitution and political culture founded upon democracy, of a democratic expression of the view of the Scottish electorate.
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“The clear expression of its wish either to remain within the United Kingdom or to pursue secession would strengthen or weaken the democratic legitimacy of the Union, depending on which view prevailed, and support or undermine the democratic credentials of the independence movement.
“It would consequently have important political consequences relating to the Union and the United Kingdom Parliament.”
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