Tag: SCOTLAND

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‘India not historically responsible for climate crisis’

Scotland acknowledged that, despite its minimal historical contribution to climate change, India is now facing severe climate impacts, such as extreme heatwaves, floods, and intense monsoons….reports Asian Lite News

India, though not historically responsible for the climate crisis, has a crucial role to play in addressing the global challenge by not emulating the polluting practices of the West from the 19th century, said Commonwealth Secretary General Patricia Scotland. In an interview with PTI, Scotland highlighted India’s unique position within the 56-nation Commonwealth, which represents 2.7 billion people, and emphasized its potential to lead a just and equitable energy transition by leveraging its expertise and technology.

Scotland acknowledged that, despite its minimal historical contribution to climate change, India is now facing severe climate impacts, such as extreme heatwaves, floods, and intense monsoons. For instance, India recorded 536 heatwave days this summer, the highest in 14 years, with the northwestern region experiencing its warmest June since 1901. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported 41,789 suspected heat stroke cases and 143 heat-related deaths. Additionally, floods affected around 350,000 people in Assam, and heavy rains triggered landslides in Kerala’s Wayanad district, resulting in over 130 fatalities.

Despite these challenges, Scotland urged India not to follow the outdated development models of the West, which have led to the current environmental crisis. She argued that India should avoid repeating the mistakes of industrialization that prioritized economic growth at the expense of environmental sustainability. Instead, India should aim to become a global leader in sustainable development by adopting a regenerative model that incorporates a circular economy, focusing on minimizing waste and promoting reuse and recycling.

Scotland praised India’s significant achievements in renewable energy, noting that renewables currently make up 35% of the country’s energy consumption. She highlighted India’s leadership in initiatives such as the International Solar Alliance and the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure, showcasing the nation’s commitment to innovation and collaboration. India has made substantial progress in reducing its emissions intensity, achieving a 33% reduction from 2005 to 2019, surpassing its targets under its first national climate plan 11 years ahead of schedule. The country also aims to increase its non-fossil power capacity to 50% by 2030, conditional on international support.

Looking ahead, Scotland expressed her hopes for India to continue being a beacon of hope for the Global South by championing a new, clean, and sustainable development path. She emphasized the importance of India leveraging its technological innovations and sustainable practices to inspire other developing nations. Through these efforts, India can lead the way in demonstrating that economic growth and environmental stewardship can go hand in hand, ensuring a sustainable future for all.

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Starmer heads to Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales to reset ties 

Starmer said he wants to transfer power from the bureaucratic halls of government in London to leaders who know what’s best for their communities…reports Asian Lite News

Prime Minister Keir Starmer headed Sunday on a tour of the four corners of the UK as part of an “immediate reset” with governments in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales.

Starmer, who said he has a “mandate to do politics differently” after his party’s landslide victory, made his first stop in Edinburgh to meet with Scottish First Minister John Swinney in an effort to “turn disagreement into cooperation.”

“We will serve every single person in Scotland,” Starmer told a group of enthusiastic supporters. “Performance, self-interest: they’re the politics of the past.

The politics of this Labour government of 2024 is about public service, restoring standards of making sure that we always, always have in our mind’s eye the people who elected us into government.” While each of the devolved nations in the UK elects members to the House of Commons in London, they also have their own regional parliaments.

Starmer’s Labour Party trounced Swinney’s Scottish National Party for seats in Parliament. But the SNP, which has pushed for Scottish independence, still holds a majority at Holyrood, the Scottish parliament.

The trip to build better working relations across the UK is part of Starmer’s broader mission to work toward serving people as he tackles of mountain of problems.

The Labour government inherited a wobbly economy that left Britons struggling to pay bills after global economic woes and fiscal missteps.

It also faces a public that is disenchanted after 14 years of chaotic Conservative rule and fiscal austerity that hollowed out public services, including the revered National Health Service, which Starmer declared broken.

Starmer said he wants to transfer power from the bureaucratic halls of government in London to leaders who know what’s best for their communities.

After his brief tour, he’ll return to England, where he plans to meet with regional mayors, saying in his first news conference Saturday that he would engage with politicians regardless of their party.

“There’s no monopoly on good ideas,” he said “I’m not a tribal political.”Starmer continued to speak with other world leaders, having separate calls with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

He spoke with both about his priorities for a cease-fire in the Gaza Strip, the return of hostages to Israel, and an increase in humanitarian aid, a spokesperson said.

He told Abbas that the recognition of a Palestinian state as part of a peace process was the “undeniable right of Palestinians” and told Netanyahu it was important to ensure the long-term conditions for a two-state solution, including ensuring financial means for Abbas’ Palestinian Authority to operate effectively.

Labour’s initial refusal to call for a ceasefire last year is blamed for costing it support and some seats in Thursday’s election.

In advance of Starmer’s attendance Tuesday at a NATO meeting in Washington, the UK’s top diplomat reiterated an “unshakeable” commitment to the alliance during his first trip abroad.

Foreign Secretary David Lammy said during a visit to Poland, Germany and Sweden that the UK government would tighten relations with the European Union and remains “ironclad” in its support for Ukraine.

“European security will be this government’s foreign and defense priority,” Lammy said in Poland. “Russia’s barbaric invasion has made clear the need for us to do more to strengthen our own defenses.”

Lammy reiterated Starmer’s pledge not to rejoin the EU single market after British voters in 2016 voted to break from the political and economic union. “Let us put the Brexit years behind us,” Lammy told The Observer. “We are not going to rejoin the single market and the customs union but there is much that we can do together.”

Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said Sunday on Sky News that the UK should look for ways to improve trade with the EU and that removing some trade barriers was sensible.

But he said the Labour government was not open to the free movement of people that was required as a member of the union.

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Scottish Labour launches ‘manifesto for change’

Taking questions from journalists after his speech, Mr Sarwar was repeatedly questioned about the two-child benefit cap – which limits the number of children for which families can claim benefits…reports Asian Lite News

Scottish Labour has launched its manifesto for the general election, which it says provides an opportunity to deliver change “for this generation and the next”.

Leader Anas Sarwar says the party will prioritise economic stability and growing the economy. The manifesto promises to cut NHS waiting times and fund 160,000 additional appointments every year in Scotland.

The party says its proposals will mean a pay rise for more than 200,000 people in Scotland. The manifesto also includes plans for the energy sector, help for first-time house buyers and steps to raise educational standards.

At the launch in Edinburgh, Sarwar said Labour would ban zero-hour contracts, end fire and rehire practices and deliver a genuine living wage. The party plans to set up Great British Energy – a publicly-owned clean power company, headquartered in Scotland, which would be paid for by a windfall tax on oil and gas companies.

It also says it will improve access to apprenticeships, support first-time buyers and create 69,000 Scottish jobs in the clean energy industries. “This election is the chance to deliver a decade of national renewal, and this manifesto is a blueprint to a brighter future,” said Sarwar.

“It’s an opportunity to change Scotland for this generation – and the next. It’s an opportunity we need to make sure we don’t miss.”

“It begins in just 17 days when we can finally get rid of this lying, corrupt, incompetent Tory government – but that is just the start,” he said. “In 2026, we need a change of direction at Holyrood as much as we need one at Westminster today. The SNP has failed the people of Scotland – breaking our NHS, ruining our once world-leading education system, and tarnishing our politics by wasting and misusing your money.”

Taking questions from journalists after his speech, Mr Sarwar was repeatedly questioned about the two-child benefit cap – which limits the number of children for which families can claim benefits.

Labour has come under pressure from campaigners over its stance after saying it will not be able to scrap the measure due to a lack of funding.

Sarwar said his party had been right to oppose and vote against the two-child limit.

But he added: “The honest reality is after 14 years of Tory economic carnage, we will not be able to do everything we want to do as fast as we want to do.”

Elsewhere on the campaign trail, SNP leader John Swinney was in Oban to meet representatives from the seafood industry.

Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross spent the morning meeting representatives from the fishing industry in Fraserburgh to highlight his party’s commitment to safeguarding fishing waters.

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton was at Glasgow Science Centre to discuss plans to ensure the whole UK reaches net zero by 2045.

The Scottish Greens were campaigning at the University of Glasgow, calling for an end to investment in the arms industry.

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UK govt planning nuclear site in Scotland

Its ambitions for up to a quarter of all electricity to come from nuclear power by 2050 are being led by government-backed body Great British Nuclear body…reports Asian Lite News

The government is planning to build a new nuclear reactor in Scotland despite opposition from Holyrood, according to Scottish Secretary Alister Jack.

He told a House of Lords committee he had asked the UK energy minister to plan for such a site as part of a UK-wide strategy.

The Conservative minister also called for the Lords to be allowed to scrutinise Scottish laws.

First Minister John Swinney accused Mr Jack of being a “menacing behaviour” and said his government would have “nothing to do with nuclear power”.

The government has committed to developing larger-scale nuclear plants south of the border, as well as developing a new generation of smaller modular reactors. It has said up to eight more nuclear reactors could be approved on existing sites.

Its ambitions for up to a quarter of all electricity to come from nuclear power by 2050 are being led by government-backed body Great British Nuclear body.

The Scottish government, however, has rejected calls to end an effective ban on new nuclear power stations. Jack told the Lords committee: “On the small nuclear reactors, I have asked the energy minister to plan for one in Scotland.

“I believe that in 2026 we’ll see a unionist regime again in Holyrood and they will move forward with that.” The Scottish secretary added that he did not “see any point in having a great fight over it” given the “timescales in front of us” – a likely reference to the upcoming general election.

Swinney said the Scottish Secretary had not mentioned the proposals to the Scottish government. “This is utterly and completely incompatible with good inter-governmental working and is illustrative of the damaging behaviour, the menacing behaviour, of the secretary of state for Scotland,” he said at First Minister’s Questions.

The SNP leader said the Scottish government would not support new nuclear power stations in the country, and was investing in renewable energy projects.

Scotland’s last nuclear power plant – at Torness in East Lothian – is scheduled to be shut down by 2028. Although energy policy is largely set at Westminster, the Scottish government is able to block projects it opposes as planning powers are devolved.

The Scottish Secretary went on to suggest a “grand committee” of the House of Lords should be allowed to scrutinise Holyrood legislation.

“Devolution is not a bad thing,” he told the committee. “Where it has failed is bad governance.”

Jack said the Scottish Parliament’s committee structure was “not right” and that the “knowledge and wisdom” of the House of Lords could be used to help review Scottish laws.

SNP MP Tommy Sheppard said the Tory minister was “undermining and patronising our democratically-elected government”. The Scottish government said it remained opposed to the building of new nuclear plants in Scotland “under current technologies”. A spokesperson said: “Small modular reactors, while innovative in construction and size, still generate electricity using nuclear fission and therefore the process presents the same environmental concerns as traditional nuclear power plants. We believe that significant growth in renewables, storage, hydrogen and carbon capture provides the best pathway to net zero by 2045 and will deliver secure, affordable and clean energy supplies for Scotland

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Scottish govt survives no-confidence vote

While the Greens made Yousaf’s position untenable by withdrawing their confidence in him personally, they voted with the SNP against Wednesday’s vote of no confidence in the Scottish government…reports Asian Lite News

The Scottish government has survived a confidence vote, giving the Scottish National Party (SNP) a chance to pick a new leader to replace outgoing First Minister Humza Yousaf.

Yousaf’s decision to step down as first minister and SNP leader on Monday has thrown the party into chaos and boosted hopes in the United Kingdom’s opposition Labour Party that it can regain Scottish seats to win a national election later this year.

Polls show that Labour is ahead of or level with the SNP in Scotland for the first time in a decade. Yousaf said he would resign after he ended a coalition with the Green Party. It means the SNP is seeking a third leader in little more than a year, undermining what had once seemed like its iron grip on power in the devolved Scottish government.

While the Greens made Yousaf’s position untenable by withdrawing their confidence in him personally, they voted with the SNP against Wednesday’s vote of no confidence in the Scottish government.

The no-confidence motion was defeated by 70 votes to 58.

Defeat for the government would have led to the resignation of all ministers and most likely triggered a Scottish election. With that outcome averted, Yousaf will remain in office until the SNP chooses a new leader. Former SNP party leader John Swinney and Yousaf’s old leadership rival Kate Forbes have both said they are considering running.

Glasgow-born Yousaf, whose paternal grandparents and father emigrated to Scotland from Pakistan in the 1960s, had been hailed as a polished communicator who the SNP hoped would be able to unite the fractured SNP.

“I could never have dreamt that one day, I would have the privilege of leading my country,” he said during his resignation speech. “People who looked like me were not in positions of political influence, let alone leading governments, when I was younger.”

Yousaf was the Muslim head of a major political party and Scotland’s youngest elected leader. He took over the party in March last year, after the resignation of longtime leader Nicola Sturgeon, who faced splits in the party over the best route to independence for Scotland and proposed transgender recognition legislation.

Police have also probed the SNP’s finances, and Sturgeon’s husband has been charged with embezzling funds from the SNP. She has been arrested and questioned but not charged. Both deny wrongdoing.

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Scottish ministers to release 14,000 Covid WhatsApp messages

The deputy first minister said that “all requested messages held will be shared in full and unredacted” by Monday…reports Asian Lite News

The Scottish government will hand over more than 14,000 electronic messages, mainly WhatsApps, to the UK Covid Inquiry, Deputy First Minister Shona Robison has announced. She also said First Minister Humza Yousaf would share his messages.

The government had been criticised for not handing over all relevant data to the UK Covid Inquiry, with senior figures accused of deleting files. Nicola Sturgeon refused to say whether or not she had erased any messages.

Speaking to reporters in the Scottish Parliament, the former first minister said she had “nothing to hide”. “I did not manage the Covid response by WhatsApp,” said the ex-SNP leader, who is alleged to have manually deleted messages.

“For example, I was not a member of any WhatsApp groups. I managed the Covid response from my office in St Andrews House.”

She added: “I will set out in full to the inquiry how I operated, what I hold, what I don’t hold and the reasons for that.”

During a statement to parliament, Robison apologised to bereaved families for “any lack of clarity” about material provided to the inquiries.

She said the Scottish government received a request in September from the UK Covid Inquiry to hand over WhatsApp messages from officials, ministers and former ministers related to the pandemic.

Robison confirmed the Scottish government had been issued a formal legal order, under section 21 of the Inquiries Act 2005, to release the material, which she said was necessary due to data privacy concerns.

The deputy first minister said that “all requested messages held will be shared in full and unredacted” by Monday.

In addition to “hundreds” of messages already submitted, Ms Robison said this would include more than 14,000 mainly WhatsApp messages from officials, ministers and former ministers.

“It will be for individuals to explain to the inquiries they have taken in relation to record retention,” she told MSPs. She added that First Minister Humza Yousaf would hand over unredacted WhatsApp messages to the inquiry in the coming days.

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Yousaf signals change in independence strategy

Humza Yousaf officially elected as Scotland's new First Minister.(photo:twitter.com/HumzaYousaf)

It comes as the SNP’s annual conference starts in Aberdeen. The leadership was under pressure to alter its plan ahead of a key debate and vote on the party’s independence strategy...reports Asian Lite News

Humza Yousaf has said he would welcome an independence referendum “tomorrow” as he signalled a change in his preferred strategy. The first minister said a majority of Scottish seats (or 29) in a general election would provide a mandate to begin negotiations for a referendum. He previously tabled a proposal based on the SNP winning the most seats, which would be a lower threshold.

It comes as the SNP’s annual conference starts in Aberdeen. The leadership was under pressure to alter its plan ahead of a key debate and vote on the party’s independence strategy. Party insiders believe a majority of seats will give them a stronger mandate for independence talks. If the party won “most” seats, the figure could be much lower than 29 if many other parties won seats. The first minister said that “mandate after mandate” for an independence vote have been denied by successive Conservative governments. He said the next test of the proposition will be in a general election, which is expected to be held next year. Yousaf said if the SNP win the majority of seats it would give the Scottish government a mandate to begin negotiations with the UK government on “how to give that [the mandate] democratic effect”. He said several options would then be on the table, including a referendum.

Yousaf has said previously he wanted to build “sustained” support for independence. He said that would mean 50% plus one backing for Yes, adding that we would hold a referendum “tomorrow”.

“If Westminster parties want to test the proposition for 50% plus one, I’m happy to do that. That has to be through a referendum to test propositions for popular support,” he told the Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg programme. “We want a referendum, demand a referendum. We’ve been elected on a mandate for a referendum. “If you want one, bring it on. We’ll do it tomorrow. I guarantee you, independence will be here sooner rather than later.”

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Scottish first minister says he feels helpless, powerless   

Elizabeth and Maged El-Nakla had traveled to Gaza last week to visit Maged’s 93-year-old mother….reports Asian Lite News

Scotland’s first minister said he feels “helpless and powerless” to save his parents-in-law who are trapped in Gaza amid fears of a massive Israeli ground invasion.

In an interview with Channel 4, Humza Yousaf broke down in tears as he described the “suffering” of his in-laws, who are sheltering near Gaza City.

Elizabeth and Maged El-Nakla had traveled to Gaza last week to visit Maged’s 93-year-old mother.

Yousaf told Channel 4: “I’ll be honest. I may be first minister of Scotland, but in this situation I feel powerless. I can raise my voice, I can tell the story, but beyond that, I’m watching my mother-in-law and my father-in-law suffer.

“And anybody knows, any human being, your first instinct is to protect your family as best you possibly can, and we feel helpless.”

He added: “In my heart of hearts, I can’t tell you whether my mother-in-law will be back or not. And that’s tough for me and incredibly distressing for my wife.”

Yousaf’s wife Nadia El-Nakla told the BBC that her parents are “now caught up in a war situation,” adding: “My mother says that there’s continual bombardment from land, sea and air.”

Elizabeth “has not slept since Monday” and feels as if “every part of her body is shaking,” Nadia said, adding that her parents “are just terrified, absolutely terrified, about what’s to come and what’s happening right now as we speak.”

Israeli airstrikes on Gaza have reduced the homes of her aunt and cousin to rubble. Yousaf on said Israel is “going too far” in its conflict with Hamas, warning that innocent civilians in the Gaza Strip “couldn’t be used as collateral damage.”

He called for the international community to “step up” its efforts to ensure a ceasefire in Gaza, and for the establishment of a humanitarian corridor to allow supplies into the enclave and to allow people to leave.

“There’s a humanitarian catastrophe that’s unfolding, and the collective punishment of 2.2 million Gazans just can’t be justified,” he said.

This week, Yousaf wrote a letter to UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly asking him to request the Israeli government to allow civilians to flee through the Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt.

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Scotland registers big win

Ireland’s 133-run defeat to Sri Lanka at Queen Sports Club had ensured that both Oman and Scotland made it to the Super Six stage…reports Asian Lite News

Top-order batter Brandon McMullen’s 136 followed by 5/53 from leg-spinner Chris Greaves set up Scotland’s convincing 76-run win over Oman in their Group B match of Men’s ODI World Cup Qualifiers at the Bulawayo Athletic Club on Sunday.

Ireland’s 133-run defeat to Sri Lanka at Queen Sports Club had ensured that both Oman and Scotland made it to the Super Six stage. But Scotland will now have the added advantage of carrying two points from their win over Oman on Sunday in progressing to the next stage.

Bilal Khan gave Oman the perfect start when he trapped Christopher McBride lbw off the very third ball of the game. Scotland found the going tough against a disciplined new-ball effort from Oman, making only two runs in their first four overs. McMullen and Matthew Cross gradually settled in and added 82 runs for the second wicket partnership, with the former bringing up his half-century during the stand.

In the 19th over, Jay Odedra finally brought a breakthrough for Oman when he got Cross (27) to chop on to his stumps. Skipper Richie Berrington then joined hands with McMullen to steady the innings.

After Berrington grew comfortable at the crease, McMullen continued at a swift pace to bring up his maiden ODI century in the 32nd over. The pair shared a 138-run partnership for third wicket, with Berrington also reaching his fifty.

The Scotland captain was finally run out in the 39th over when trying to take a run off a misfield, departing for 60. A few overs later, McMullen (136) also fell to Bilal while trying to up the scoring rate.

A couple of more strikes by Bilal pegged the Scottish innings back. But crucial contributions from Tomas Mackintosh (32) and Mark Watt (25) late in the game helped the European side cross 300. Bilal was the pick of Oman bowlers, finishing with 5/55.

In reply, Oman got off to a slow start, with Kashyap Prajapati and Jatinder Singh adding just 25 runs in the first 10 overs, thanks to disciplined effort from Scotland bowlers. The pressure led to Prajapati’s fall in the 11th over when centurion McMullen cleaned him up. Soon after, Jatinder (14) also fell to Adrian Neil.

Zeeshan Maqsood and Aqib Ilyas then held the innings together with a 32-run stand, before Maqsood went for a slog sweep and was bowled by Michael Leask. One brought two as Aqib Ilyas was dismissed by Mark Watt in the very next over.

With Mohammad Nadeem’s fall in the 30th over, Oman had lost half their side and needed almost 11 runs an over to win the game. An enterprising seventh-wicket partnership of 105 between Naseem Khushi (69) and Shoaib Khan (36) tried delaying the inevitable. But by then Scotland’s grasp over the encounter was complete as Greaves picked his maiden five-for in men’s ODI during the match.

Brief Scores: Scotland 320 all out in 50 overs (Brandon McMullen 136, Richie Berrington 60; Bilal Khan 5/55, Fayyaz Butt 2/68) beat Oman 244/9 in 50 overs (Naseem Khushi 69, Shoaib Khan 36; Chris Greaves 5/53) by 76 runs

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Scotland’s first minister Sturgeon resigns

The SNP’s polling has dipped, making a dent in its grip on Scottish politics. The independence movement has stalled, with no real chance of a referendum on the cards any time soon…reports Asian Lite News

Scottish National Party leader Nicola Sturgeon on Wednesday unexpectedly announced she would resign after eight years as Scotland’s first minister.

Sturgeon said she knows the “time is now” for her to stand down, adding that it is “right for me, for my party and for the country.” The Scottish National Party leader made the announcement at a press conference in Edinburgh. She will stay in office until a new SNP leader is appointed.

Less than a month ago, Scottish National Party (SNP) leader Nicola Sturgeon said she still had “plenty in the tank” following the shock resignation of New Zealand’s prime minister, Jacinda Ardern.

Now the 52-year-old is headed out the door.

“First, though I know it will be tempting to see it as such, this decision is not a reaction to short-term pressures,” said Sturgeon, who has been facing increasing tensions with the UK government in London over Scottish independence, as well as Westminster’s decision to block a Scottish law intended to allow trans people in Scotland to change their legal gender without a medical diagnosis.

“This decision comes from a deeper and longer-term assessment,” she added.

Sturgeon said she could no longer give her full energy to the job, and that she felt she must say so now. “I have been wrestling with it, albeit with oscillating levels of intensity for some weeks,” the 52-year-old leader said. “Giving absolutely everything of yourself to this job is the only way to do it.”

She said it was difficult to have a private life, noting it was hard to “meet friends for a coffee or go for a walk on your own” and observed that there was a “brutality” to life at the top.

Sturgeon added that she hoped her successor would be “someone who is not subject to the same polarized opinions, fair or unfair, as I now am.”

Wednesday’s shock announcement led to breathless speculation over Sturgeon’s timing, particularly as she had only recently pledged to make the next British general election a de-facto second referendum on Scottish independence.

While Sturgeon underlined that she felt she didn’t have enough left in the tank to perform her duties, her list of political headaches has grown.

The SNP’s polling has dipped, making a dent in its grip on Scottish politics. The independence movement has stalled, with no real chance of a referendum on the cards any time soon.

She has lost support in her party since she attempted to introduce the controversial bill on gender identification, with some polls suggesting a majority of Scots supported the decision of the UK government to use its powers to block the proposal.

And her husband was caught in a scandal at the end of last year, after it was reported he had personally loaned the SNP Pound 100,000.

Notably, when Scotland held a referendum in 2014, voters rejected the prospect of independence by 55 per cent to 45 per cent – but the political landscape then changed, mostly because of Brexit.

A majority of people in Scotland voted to remain in the European Union in the 2016 Brexit referendum, and the SNP successfully used Brexit as a wedge issue, arguing that Scots were dragged out of the EU against their will.

The SNP is due to have a special conference on independence next month. It is now likely it will go into that conference divided and without any certainty of its direction. All of which will make those opposed to independence very happy indeed. (ANI)

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