Scottish Independence Voices Grow Stronger – Scottish Greens and SNP agree on a power-sharing deal

The Scottish National Party and the Scottish Greens agree on a power-sharing deal on Friday that could pave the way to another referendum on Scotland’s independence from the U.K. in the coming couple of years.

Though the deal does not put the coalition in power after the SNP fell one seat short of an overall majority in the Scottish elections, the deal will strengthen the pro-independence majority in the Scottish parliament over the next five years.

The deal would give the Scottish government a majority to pass legislation such as a new independence referendum bill, with both parties in support of an independent Scotland.

Britain has consistently argued that the issue was settled in a September 2014 referendum, when 55% of Scottish voters favored remaining part of the U.K. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has resisted another vote on the Scottish Independence.

However, the supporters of Scottish Independence argue that another referendum is necessary as they claim the situation has changed fundamentally because of Brexit as Scotland was forced out of the European Union against its will. In the 2016 Brexit referendum, 52% of the U.K. voted to leave the EU while 62% of Scots voted to remain.

SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon has said it would be wrong for PM Johnson and Britain to stand in the way of a referendum and that the timing is a matter for the Scottish Parliament. AP quotes Sturgeon who said that any attempt by the British government to thwart the democratic will of Scotland would only fuel the desire for independence.

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