London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Thursday, Jul 10, 2025

Scottish politicians vote to back a second independence referendum

Scottish politicians have narrowly voted in favour of a motion calling for a second referendum on independence.
The MSPs at Holyrood have voted by 64 to 54 in favour of a fresh vote ‘so that the people of Scotland can decide whether they wish to be an independent country’.

Scottish First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, has insisted it is necessary as the only way that Scotland can be part of the EU.

She warned of the consequences of Brexit, saying: ‘Given what the Tories have in store, proposing a further decision on independence isn’t simply legitimate – it is necessary.’

Earlier this month Prime Minister Boris Johnson refused to allow a second vote, saying the one in 2014 was a once-in-a-generation poll.

But Ms Sturgeon accused UK government ministers of being ‘completely deaf to Scotland’s interests, needs and voices.’

She added that their vision of the UK post-Brexit was ‘driven on the part of some by jingoism and xenophobia.’

Wednesday afternoon’s vote now calls on the UK government to reach an agreement with the Scottish government on when and how a new ballot will happen.

Two-thirds of voters in Scotland voted Remain in the Brexit referendum but they will still leave the EU with the rest of the UK on Friday.

Ms Sturgeon said this was enough to demand another independence vote because there had been a major ‘material change in circumstances.’

The First Minister said: ‘We stand just two days from losing our EU membership and all of the rights that go with it.

‘In my view it is beyond doubt now that the only realistic way for Scotland to return to the heart of Europe and to ensure we get the governments we vote for is to become an independent country.

‘What should be beyond any democratic argument, in light of the material change in circumstances that Brexit represents, is that it must be Scotland’s choice to make.

‘And it must be for this Parliament, not Westminster, to determine when and on what basis an independence referendum should take place.’

Scottish Liberal Democrat Willie Rennie claimed the SNP had ‘learned nothing from Brexit’.

He added: ‘Their answer to leaving an economic and social union of 40 years is to leave another closer, more tightly integrated union too. They are a party of barriers and division, when we need unity and collaboration more than ever.

‘While the SNP debate independence, we are seeing health, education and the police struggling to get by. This is the true cost of the SNP’s independence obsession.’

Pro-UK campaign group Scotland in Union branded the vote in Holyrood an attempt to ‘distract’ from current ‘failing public services.’

Chief executive Pamela Nash insisted: ‘The vast majority of people in Scotland do not want a divisive second independence referendum. Scotland deserves better.’
Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Severe Heatwave Claims 2,300 Lives Across Europe
NVIDIA Achieves Historic Milestone as First Company Valued at $4 Trillion
Declining Beer Consumption Signals Cultural Shift in Germany
Linda Yaccarino Steps Down as CEO of X After Two Years
US Imposes New Tariffs on Brazilian Exports Amid Political Tensions
Azerbaijan and Armenia are on the brink of a historic peace deal.
Emails Leaked: How Passenger Luggage Became a Side Income for Airport Workers
Polish MEP: “Dear Leftists - China is laughing at you, Russia is laughing, India is laughing”
BRICS Expands Membership with Indonesia and Ten New Partner Countries
Weinstein Victim’s Lawyer Says MeToo Movement Still Strong
U.S. Enacts Sweeping Tax and Spending Legislation Amid Trade Policy Shifts
Football Mourns as Diogo Jota and Brother André Silva Laid to Rest in Portugal
Labour Expected to Withdraw Support for Special Needs Funding Model
Leaked Audio Reveals Tory Aide Defending DEI Record
Elon Musk Founds a Party Following a Poll on X: "You Wanted It – You Got It!"
London Stock Exchange Faces Historic Low in Initial Public Offerings
A new online platform has emerged in the United Kingdom, specifically targeting Muslim men seeking virgin brides
Trump Celebrates Independence Day with B-2 Flyover and Signs Controversial Legislation
Boris Johnson Urges Conservatives to Ignore Farage
SNP Ordered to Update Single-Sex Space Guidance Within Days
Starmer Set to Reject Calls for Wealth Taxes
Stolen Century-Old Rolls-Royce Recovered After Hotel Theft
Macron Presses Starmer to Recognise Palestinian State
Labour Delayed Palestine Action Ban Over Riot Concerns
Swinney’s Tax Comments ‘Offensive to Scots’, Say Tories
High Street Retailers to Enforce Bans on Serial Shoplifters
Music Banned by Henry VIII to Be Performed After 500 Years
Steve Coogan Says Working Class Is Being ‘Ethnically Cleansed’
Home Office Admits Uncertainty Over Visa Overstayer Numbers
JD Vance Questions Mandelson Over Reform Party’s Rising Popularity
Macron to Receive Windsor Carriage Ride in Royal Gesture
Labour Accused of ‘Hammering’ Scots During First Year in Power
BBC Head of Music Stood Down Amid Bob Vylan Controversy
Corbyn Eyes Hard-Left Challenge to Starmer’s Leadership
London Tube Trains Suspended After Major Fire Erupts Nearby
Richard Kemp: I Felt Safer in Israel Under Attack Than in the UK
Cyclist Says Police Cited Human Rights Act for Riding No-Handed
China’s Central Bank Consults European Peers on Low-Rate Strategies
AI Raises Alarms Over Long-Term Job Security
Saudi Arabia Maintains Ties with Iran Despite Israel Conflict
Musk Battles to Protect Tesla Amid Trump Policy Threats
Air France-KLM Acquires Majority Stake in Scandinavian Airlines
UK Educators Sound Alarm on Declining Child Literacy
Shein Fined €40 Million in France Over Misleading Discounts
Brazil’s Lula Visits Kirchner During Argentina House Arrest
Trump Scores Legislative Win as House Passes Tax Reform Bill
Keir Starmer Faces Criticism After Rocky First Year in Power
DJI Launches Heavy-Duty Coaxial Quadcopter with 80 kg Lift Capacity
U.S. Senate Approves Major Legislation Dubbed the 'Big Beautiful Bill'
Largest Healthcare Fraud Takedown in U.S. History Announced by DOJ
×