Petition Grant a Section 30 Order to enable a Scottish Independence Referendum
The UK Government should grant without delay a Section 30 Order under the Scotland Act to enable an independence referendum to take place in Scotland, to allow the Scottish people, who elected a Scottish Parliament with a clear majority on holding such, to express their democratic will.
More details
Following the Supreme Court's decision of 23 November 2022, it has been confirmed that there is no legal mechanism for the Scottish people to have an independence referendum without Westminster's agreement. The matter requires the UK Government to act and it is not within the competency of the Scottish Parliament.
In the 2021 Scottish Parliamentary elections the Scottish electorate elected a Parliament with a clear majority supporting a referendum.
Government responded
This response was given on 9 March 2023
The Government’s focus is on tackling issues such as the cost of living, energy security, and growing the economy. Addressing these and delivering for the whole of the UK is the Government’s priority.
Read the response in full
In 2014, the people of Scotland had their say in an independence referendum and voted decisively to remain part of the UK. Then, both the UK Government and the Scottish Government agreed that it was the right thing for the people to have their say in an independence referendum. There was also consensus from Scottish political parties, civic society and people across Scotland. That is not the case at this time.
The Government is steadfast in its commitment to protect and promote the hundreds of years of shared history, beliefs and interests embodied in our United Kingdom. Scotland benefits greatly from being part of the United Kingdom and the rest of the United Kingdom benefits greatly from Scotland being part of it, with the pooling and sharing of resources that brings. Indeed, when we act as one United Kingdom, we are safer, stronger and more prosperous, and together we are better able to draw on the skills of our great institutions like the NHS and the armed forces.
We face major challenges right now - restoring economic stability, gripping inflation, supporting people with their energy bills, strengthening our NHS, combating climate change, supporting Ukraine and Levelling Up our country. As the Prime Minister has been clear, we will continue to work constructively with the Scottish Government in tackling all the shared challenges we face.
People across Scotland rightly expect to see both of their governments working together with a relentless focus on the issues that matter to them, their families, and their communities. Focusing resources and attention on addressing these challenges and delivering for the whole of the UK, is the UK Government’s priority.
Scotland Office
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Petitions Committee requests a revised response from the Government
The Petitions Committee (the group of MPs who oversee the petitions system) have considered the Government’s response to this petition. They felt that the response did not directly address the request of petition and have therefore written back to the Government to ask them to provide a revised response.
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