Nicola Sturgeon has thrown down the gauntlet to Boris Johnson by demanding that the Scottish parliament be given the power to call independence referendums as often as it chooses. The Scottish government published a document that it says sets out the legal and democratic case for “self-determination” today as the first minister wrote to the prime minister to make the formal request for the ability to hold another vote. Included in the paper is draft legislation that would give Holyrood the ability to call referendums when it sees fit. The proposed changes also include laws to ensure a “duty of both governments to co-operate” in any potential break-up negotiations so that the process can be completed “as quickly, fairly and effectively as possible”. Ms Sturgeon…

Source: The Times December 19, 2019 12:00 UTC