Primary Country (Mandatory)

United States

Other Country (Optional)

Set News Language for United States

Primary Language (Mandatory)
English
Other Language[s] (Optional)
No other language available

Set News Language for World

Primary Language (Mandatory)
English
Other Language(s) (Optional)

Set News Source for United States

Primary Source (Mandatory)
CNN
Other Source[s] (Optional)

Set News Source for World

Primary Source (Mandatory)
AajTak
Other Source(s) (Optional)
  • Countries
    • India
    • United States
    • Qatar
    • Germany
    • China
    • Canada
    • World
  • Categories
    • National
    • International
    • Business
    • Entertainment
    • Sports
    • Special
    • All Categories
  • Available Languages for United States
    • English
  • All Languages
    • English
    • Hindi
    • Arabic
    • German
    • Chinese
    • French
  • Sources
    • India
      • AajTak
      • NDTV India
      • The Hindu
      • India Today
      • Zee News
      • NDTV
      • BBC
      • The Wire
      • News18
      • News 24
      • The Quint
      • ABP News
      • Zee News
      • News 24
    • United States
      • CNN
      • Fox News
      • Al Jazeera
      • CBSN
      • NY Post
      • Voice of America
      • The New York Times
      • HuffPost
      • ABC News
      • Newsy
    • Qatar
      • Al Jazeera
      • Al Arab
      • The Peninsula
      • Gulf Times
      • Al Sharq
      • Qatar Tribune
      • Al Raya
      • Lusail
    • Germany
      • DW
      • ZDF
      • ProSieben
      • RTL
      • n-tv
      • Die Welt
      • Süddeutsche Zeitung
      • Frankfurter Rundschau
    • China
      • China Daily
      • BBC
      • The New York Times
      • Voice of America
      • Beijing Daily
      • The Epoch Times
      • Ta Kung Pao
      • Xinmin Evening News
    • Canada
      • CBC
      • Radio-Canada
      • CTV
      • TVA Nouvelles
      • Le Journal de Montréal
      • Global News
      • BNN Bloomberg
      • Métro
Men's Pleated Trousers Buy Now
Anne Klein Leather Watch Buy Now
Women's Chiffon Blouse Buy Now
Blaosn Athletic Skirts for Women Buy Now
Women's Wide Leg Pants with Pockets Buy Now
Gildan Cotton T-Shirt Pack, Style G2000 Buy Now
Water Sports Shoes for Men and Women Buy Now
OLEVS Mens Leather Watches Buy Now
Gymreapers Weightlifting Wrist Wraps Buy Now
Ascender Softshell Front-zip Jacket Buy Now
COOFANDY Men's Linen Shirt Buy Now
Business Casual Men Blazer Buy Now
Cotton Military Outdoor Jackets Buy Now
Men's Manicure & Pedicure Kit Buy Now
6S Wireless Bluetooth Headphones Buy Now
Instant Hijab Scarf For Women Buy Now
Basics Household Tool Kit With Storage Case Buy Now
3-in-1 Charger for iPhone, AirPods, Apple Watch Buy Now
Butterfly Fashion Sunglasses Buy Now
AERLANG Foldable 10-in-1 Push Up Board Buy Now
MoreBack to News Headlines
Explained | The demand for Scottish independence 

Explained | The demand for Scottish independence 

The Hindu
Monday, April 3, 2023 5:22 PM GMT

The demand and strUggle for scotland’s independence from the UK. how the demand was born and how it progressed over the years from a devolved Parliament to the 2014 referendum till now.

The story so far: Last week, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak was quick to reject a call from the new First Minister of Scotland and leader of the governing Scottish National Party (SNP), Humza Yousaf, to hold a second referendum for Scotland’s independence from the U.K. Mr. Yousaf took over the party’s reigns on March 28 after an intense in-party contest prompted by the resignation of Nicola Sturgeon, the influential leader who led the party’s independence push for nearly a decade.

The independent Kingdom of Scotland was formed in the 9th century and went on to fight wars to remain independent from the Kingdom of England. In 1603, the two kingdoms entered a personal union and were then ruled by the same monarchs. In 1707, due to economic and political vulnerabilities prevailing on both sides, the British and Scottish Parliaments passed the Acts of Union, entering into a political union under the name of Great Britain.

While Scotland could retain some of its decision making powers it did not get equal representation in the united Parliament, and longstanding cultural and political differences remained. Demands for self-governance soon began to sprout, eventually leading to two referendums in 1979 and 1997, resulting in the formation of a new devolved Parliament of Scotland in 1999. This Parliament was given the mandate to form legislation on devolved issues such as health, transport, education, and so on, while the power to legislate on defence, foreign policy, trade, immigration, and currency was reserved. The last referendum for independence took place in 2014, where 55% of Scots voted to stay in the three-centuries-old union while 45% voted to walk out.

A large proportion of Scots see independence from the U.K. as question of self-determination and identity. Scotland accounts for 8% of Britain’s population and economy and one-third of its landmass.

The Scottish National Party was formed in 1934 with the merger of two parties who had been demanding the devolution of powers — the National Party of Scotland and the Scottish Party. The SNP won its first seat in the British Parliament located in Westminster in a by-election but the MP refused to take up his seat. The party then began circulating petitions for the creation of a devolved Parliament and came to national prominence in 1967 with Winnie Ewing taking the Hamilton seat from the Labour Party.

While a major political victory was still elusive, it was in the 1970s, after oil was discovered in the North Sea, that SNP ran a popular campaign in line with its central ideology of independence. With the iconic slogan “It’s Scotland’s Oil”, the party argued that if not for Britain’s control over reserved matters, proceeds from the oil would have benefited the Scottish economy and consequently the Scots. The party managed to get 11 MPs elected to British Parliament in the 70s.

In the 2007 elections to Holyrood, as the Scottish Parliament is known, the SNP won more than 30% of the vote and formed a minority government with Alex Salmond as its leader. As it lacked a majority then, the SNP had to ditch its planned Independence Referendum Bill due to disagreements with other parties. The Bill was finally passed when Mr. Salmond led the Party to a landslide win in 2011 as for the first time in the history of the Scottish Parliament, a majority government was formed.

Read full story on The Hindu
Share this story on:-
Run 3 Space | Play Space Running GamePlay Run 3, the ultimate space tunnel running game with 300+ challenging levels!Adv.
Traffic Jam 3D | Online Racing GameTraffic Jam 3D is a game where you’ll be driving through heavy traffic.Adv.
Duck Hunt | Play Old Classic GamePlay the classic 1984 light gun shooter game Duck Hunt on your browser.Adv.
More Related News
Indian-origin businessman charged with committing visa fraud in U.S.

Chandrakant Patel indicted for visa fraud in Lafayette along with law enforcement officials, creating false crime reports.

EU agrees 18th round of Russia sanctions over Ukraine war

EU approves strong sanctions against Russia, including lowering price cap on oil exports, to support Ukraine and weaken Russia.

Trump threatens to sue WSJ, Murdoch over story on alleged 2003 letter to Epstein

Trump threatens to sue Wall Street Journal over Epstein letter, denies writing raunchy note in scandalous collection.

China wants to return U.S. trade ties to a state of healthy development

China aims for healthy trade relations with the U.S., emphasizing mutual benefits and cooperation for sustainable development.

What does the August 2025 U.S. Visa Bulletin mean for Indian applicants?

August 2025 Visa Bulletin reveals key updates in green card categories, including EB-5 advancements for India and China.

Trump orders release of grand jury transcripts from Epstein case

Trump demands unsealing of Epstein grand jury testimony, accusing Democrats of perpetuating a scam, prompting AG Bondi's response.

Morning Digest: India warns against ‘double standards’ over Russian oil; PAC calls for Aadhaar review, flagging high failure rate of biometric verification; and more

The Hindu Morning Digest gives a select list of stories to start the day. Read the top news today on July 18, 2025

A year of rhetoric, broken promises, and weak governance for Nepal’s Oli Premium

Nepal PM Oli's one year in office marked by unfulfilled promises, governance failures, and public dissatisfaction, analysts say.

British spies and special forces identities exposed in Afghan data leak

Data leak exposes identities of British spies and special forces, jeopardizing Afghan allies' safety.

India cautions against ‘double standards’ in sanctions on Russian oil imports

India cautions against double standards amid U.S. consideration of 500% duties on Russian oil buyers.

'No association' with Satyajit Ray: Bangladesh on house in Mymensingh that is being demolished

India urges Bangladesh to reconsider demolishing Satyajit Ray's ancestral property, offering help to preserve it as a cultural symbol.

Ukraine and U.S. considering a drone ‘mega deal’, Zelensky says after after talks with Trump

Zelensky discusses potential drone deal with Trump to enhance aerial technology and strengthen Ukraine's defense capabilities.

Britain to lower voting age to 16 in bid to increase democratic participation

Britain to lower voting age to 16, alongside campaign finance reforms, automatic voter registration, and ID changes for elections.

Parking Slot | Free Parking GamePlay Parking Slot, the best online 3D car driving and parking game.Adv.
Slope Ball Run - Play OnlineSlope Game takes you on an exciting journey of a ball on special paths.Adv.
Yulia Svyrydenko: Ukraine’s new Prime Minister Premium

Yulia Svyrydenko becomes Ukraine's 19th Prime Minister, focusing on economic revival and military strengthening amid Russian invasion.

Nine terrorists killed in counter-terrorism operation in Pakistan

Nine terrorists killed, three officials injured in counter-terrorism operation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, praised by Interior Minister.

Erdogan tells Putin new clashes in Syria threaten region: presidency

Erdogan warns of regional threat in Syria, urges Israel to respect sovereignty in phone call with Putin.

Germany deports 81 Afghan nationals to their homeland in 2nd flight since the Taliban’s return

Germany deports Afghan men with rejected asylum applications, signaling a tougher migration policy under new government leadership.

Gaza civil defence agency says Israeli strikes kill 14

Emergency service reports air strikes and artillery shelling in Gaza, with casualties and ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas.

Three people dead in training accident in Los Angeles, says official

Investigation underway after fatal explosion in LA County, with three dead and possible training accident suspected.

After U.S. labels The Resistance Front as global terror outfit, China calls for stronger regional anti-terror cooperation

China condemns terrorism, calls for regional cooperation to maintain security, in response to U.S. designation of TRF as terrorist group.

Brazil's former President Bolsonaro ordered to wear electronic ankle monitor

Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro ordered to wear ankle monitor, barred from social media and contact with others.

Misbehaving monks: Sex scandal shakes Thai Buddhist faithful

Thai police arrest woman for extorting monks, sparking outrage over hypocrisy and corruption in the revered Buddhist monkhood.

Kremlin says it agrees with Ukraine that peace talks need to be stepped up

Ukraine and Russia agree to exchange prisoners and remains, but no date set for new talks; Kremlin responds to U.S. sanctions warning.

Head of UN rights office urges accountability for killings in Syria's Sweida

UN calls for accountability in Sweida killings, citing widespread rights violations and civilian casualties in Syria.

North Korea bans foreign tourists to newly opened Wonsan-Kalma beach resort

North Korea suspends entry of foreign tourists to new beach resort, dimming prospects for tourism development.

© 2008 - 2025 Webjosh  |  News Archive  |  Privacy Policy  |  Contact Us