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Scottish independence movement during devolution

Publication at Faculty of Social Sciences |
2022

Abstract

Since the beginning of the devolution in the 1990s, the independence question has become one of the primary issues in the region and on a national scale. The strengthening of the tendencies is connected mainly with the success of the Scottish National Party, which has become the strongest party in Scotland and has been able to prioritize its demand for independence.

The referendum on Scottish independence was held in September 2014, where voters could decide the region's future. The referendum's legality was ensured by the cooperation with the central government in London, which decided to comply with the request of the Scottish Government and transferred the necessary powers to the region.

The main topics of the campaign before the referendum are still being discussed in the region today. Although the referendum was supposed to resolve independence for a much longer period, the following events, especially leaving the European Union, restored the independence efforts.

Proposals for a second referendum are being blocked by a central government that refuses to reconsider independence, and the Scottish Government is looking for new ways to achieve its goal. The case of Scotland is important not only within the United Kingdom, and thus setting a precedent for other regions (Wales, Northern Ireland) but also in terms of Europe and its impact on other regions proposing greater autonomy or independence (e.g.

Catalonia or the Basque Country).