Scottish independence: Greens back indyref2's general election route

If formal consent is not granted for indyref2, the Scottish Greens stated that there would be no amendment to a single-issue general election on independence.

Scottish independence: Greens back indyref2's general election route

If formal consent is not granted for indyref2, the Scottish Greens stated that there would be no amendment to a single-issue general election on independence.

Patrick Harvie, the co-leader, stated that it was the only alternative if Prime Minister Boris Johnson or the Supreme Court blocked the request.

Opposition parties have criticized the strategy and its timing.

This comes after First Minister Nicola Sturgeon proposed last week holding a referendum in October 2023.

The UK government stated that it would review the proposals of the first minister, but reiterated that it had maintained its position that "now was not the right time" to hold another referendum.

It also stated that it was "clear" that Westminster is the only one who has the constitution.

One expert believes that a slight swing in favour of either side in Scotland's independence referendum could determine the outcome, as the polls are so close.

A new poll showed that 44% of Scots oppose another referendum and 43% are in favor.

Panelbase's Sunday Times research also showed that 48% would vote in favor of independence. 47% voted against. 5% remained undecided.

Scotland voted to remain with the UK in 2014 by 55% to 45 %.

On BBC Scotland's The Sunday Show, Mr Harvie stated that he was looking forward to joining the independence campaign now the path to a vote has been laid out.

He said that it was clear that the Scottish government had been given a mandate to hold a similar meeting next year.

Harvie's party is part of a power sharing arrangement with the SNP at Holyrood. He said: "Repeated pro independence majorities, elected in Scotland by voters to both parliaments. If that's no mandate, frankly, I don't know.

"But if that is not the case, we will ask the court for permission to proceed. This is clearly the preferred route.

However, Mr Harvie acknowledged that the pro-independence movement had to be ready for the referendum bid to be rejected by the Prime Minister and the Supreme Court.

Legally, judges would be asked if Holyrood could hold a referendum without Westminster's permission.

Ms. Sturgeon stated that she would hold a referendum on the issue if she was prevented from voting.

When asked if the Scottish Greens would be present in all parts of the country, Harvie replied that it would depend on the local branches.

He said, however, that he expected that we would stand, but that we would be discussing that at our party conference and during our discussions in the months ahead.

He spoke out about the party's approach in such a campaign and said that they would set out a Green vision of an independent Scotland. It would be a Green vision specifically for an independent Scotland. And we would accept the fact that pro-independence candidates must receive a majority vote.

Alex Cole-Hamilton, leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats, criticized Mr Harvie's position.

The Sunday Show interview with him: "It's amazing to hear the leader a Green Party say that they will be entering a general election solely focused on one issue.

"If they don't want to run a campaign for the climate emergency, Scottish Liberal Democrats won't.

"And why? This strategy is a dog's dinner for the Yes movement.

"It's not going to provide any clarity, and it is coming at a worst time as well."

Mr Cole-Hamilton emphasized the challenges of drug deaths and cancer care waiting time.

He said, "These are the topics that we should be focusing on our political minds on and not further attempts at breaking up the United Kingdom."

Sarah Boyack, spokesperson for Scottish Labour, stated that the party is facing a climate crisis and has decided to place flags above the future of the planet.

"This is a betrayal for the thousands of environmentalists opposed to the UK's breakup.

"All of Scotland's politicians should be focusing on rebuilding our NHS, our economy and addressing our climate crisis.

Liam Kerry, a Scottish Conservative spokesperson for net zero energy, transport and energy, stated: "The Scottish Greens were long derided as merely a environmental offshoot from the SNP - but we can now drop the 'environmental" bit from that definition.

"Patrick Harvie let the facade fall by admitting that independence is what he wants for his party, just like it is for the SNP.

"It is amazing that the Scottish Greens will fight the next election on the constitution alone in a climate emergency."

Mark Diffley, a polling expert, said that support for Scotland staying in the UK was "absolutely deadlock" with support to independence.

He said that it was unlikely that this would change until a referendum campaign started.

The Sunday Show was told by Mr Diffley that it all comes down to the campaign. He said: "Everything will boil down to the campaigns - how well those campaigns are, what they speak to people and their positivity or negativeness, etc.

"That is what will really matter."

"Because polls are so tight right now, a slight swing in either direction can make the difference in a campaign."

The SNP launched a new campaign in support of Scots registering to vote ahead of next year's independence referendum.

Nearly 85% of those registered to vote in 2014 had their say in this referendum.

Mike Russell, president of the SNP, insisted that it was crucial to register for the next referendum.

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