The United Kingdom (UK) represents four constituent countries or regions. Alongside England, the country comprises Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Even though Ireland is a part of the UK, it is a self-government state independent of British governance.
A public referendum was carried out in Scotland by the ruling party after the consent of the British government in 2014. The move to separate from the UK fell flat, with 55 percent of the Scots voting ‘No’ in the first referendum for independence. The majority of the Scottish population chose to remain in the UK.
After the UK voted to leave the European Union (EU) in 2016, the Scottish National Party, the ruling party in Scotland, started pushing for a second referendum on independence. The demand for another referendum came as a surprise to the British government, which had overseen the first one. The move from the ruling party in Scotland came after the Scottish people voted in favor of Great Britain staying in the EU in the Brexit poll. The outcome, however, turned out to be different. The Scottish government argued that the country would have remained in the EU had it been independent. It has been demanding a second referendum on Scotland’s independence since then.
Can Scotland Declare its Independence from the UK?
Scotland is a sovereign nation under the UK. It has an independent parliament and an executive to run the country, an arrangement similar to Wales and Northern Ireland. The British government oversees the transfer of power and funding to the constituent countries in the UK. It has to give its consent to the Scottish government for a referendum. The serving prime minister of the UK, Boris Johnson, has refused to give consent for a second referendum during his tenure. Scotland cannot declare independence till it wins the referendum with a majority vote.
FAQs
How many countries are there in the UK?
The UK has four constituent countries or provinces: England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.
How does the British government exercise control over them?
All constituents in the UK are sovereign nations. They have independent legislatures and executives to govern their people. The British government devolves its powers and funds to these nations and oversees their smooth functioning.
What is a referendum?
A referendum is a popular vote on a legal or political issue. Instead of deciding on a contentious issue, the elected representatives go back to their constituents and ask them to vote on it. This process of direct voting is called a referendum.
What did the Scots vote for in the Brexit poll?
The Scottish people voted in favor of the UK staying in the European Union (EU). But the UK voted in favor of leaving the EU.
What happens if Scotland gets independence?
Scotland gets full powers of governance and control over funds generated within its territory. It does not have to wait for the nod of the British legislature for policy decisions. It also gets to represent itself on the international stage.
