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COURIER OPINION: Nicola Sturgeon had nothing new to say – and Westminster isn’t listening anyway

Nicola Sturgeon
Frustration and rhetoric won't secure Nicola Sturgeon a second independence referendum - but what else does she have? Image: Stuart Wallace/Shutterstock.

Nicola Sturgeon was clearly frustrated the Supreme Court has scuppered her hopes of holding a second independence referendum without Westminster consent.

She was not alone in that.

Supporters on both sides of the constitutional divide will be left wondering what happens next.

Instead of answers, everyone was asked to wait until next year when SNP members will help shape a proposal to turn the next general election into a vote on independence.

photo shows a large crowd of independence supporters at a rally in the centre of Dundee.
The pro-independence rally in Dundee following the Supreme Court decision. Image: Alan Richardson.

Whether you are for or against, it is disappointing that real-life problems will have to fight for room in a constitutional row.

The first minister appears to be in a tricky bind.

If pro-independence parties win the majority of the vote in Scotland, that will be taken as a mandate to break up the union.

But neither Rishi Sunak nor Keir Starmer will be any more compelled to listen than they are now.

photo shows Nicola Sturgeon speaking into a microphone at the Time for Scotland independence rally in Edinburgh.
Nicola Sturgeon speaks at the Time for Scotland independence rally outside the Scottish Parliament. Image: Stuart Wallace/Shutterstock.

Beyond this, the first minister was left with little except lofty rhetoric and desperate hopes the UK Government might cave in.

Nicola Sturgeon needs more than anger to achieve Scottish independence referendum

Legitimate questions may remain as to whether Westminster can indefinitely brush off demands for a referendum when SNP support remains high.

Certainly their approach will do nothing to win over backers of the independence movement who have no faith in the union.

Yet their anger will not help Ms Sturgeon secure a ballot.

photo shows independence supporters in Dundee city centre holding placards which read 'It's our right' and 'The union without consent is doomed'.
Placards at the Scottish independence rally in City Square, Dundee. Image: Alan Richardson.

So long as the country remains divided on independence, unionist parties understand they can bat off SNP demands without much consequence.

Most notable during Ms Sturgeon’s address was that she had nothing new to say.

The election strategy for securing independence was first put forward in June.

photo shows protesters waving Union Jacks and holding placards which read 'We want to stay in the UK'.
Pro-union supporters at Wednesday’s Time for Scotland independence rally in Edinburgh. Image: Stuart Wallace/Shutterstock.

Frustration from the SNP ranks seems inevitable, even if there’s nowhere for the first minister to go.

“No nation can be held irrevocably in a union against its will,” Ms Sturgeon said.

It’s doubtful the prime minister will have been paying much attention.

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