The Scottish government wants to hold an «advisory» independence referendum

Despite the failure of previous consultations in 2014 and the refusal of the British government to authorize this vote, Scottish Prime Minister Nicola Sturgeon said on Tuesday, June 28, in the local parliament that she wants to organize an «advisory» referendum on independence from the British crown on October 19, 2023.

In order to organize this referendum, Mrs Sturgeon, the leader of the SNP independence Party, must get the consent of the British government, which is categorically against it. Scots were already consulted about this in 2014, and 55% voted to remain in the United Kingdom.

Based on this previous vote, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson argues that such a referendum can only be held «once in a generation». The SNP, however, believe that Brexit changes the rules of the game, and 62% of Scots voted against it. The SNP’s goal is for Scotland to join the European Union as an independent state.

Nicola Sturgeon said she was ready to negotiate with Boris Johnson, but warned that she would not allow «Scottish democracy to be held captive by Boris Johnson or any prime minister».

Before this speech, Boris Johnson reaffirmed his commitment to the unity of the kingdom. «We certainly think that our plan to strengthen the economy works better when the UK is united than when it is not», – the Conservative leader said on British television on Tuesday on the sidelines of the G7 in Germany.