Scottish Referendum Legislation: Supreme Court Decision

Deidre Brock Excerpts

Wednesday 23rd November 2022 Commons Chamber

[Mr Jack]

I feel that I have answered that question many times already, so I will refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer I gave earlier.

[Deidre Brock (Edinburgh North and Leith) (SNP)]

Things have changed dramatically since 2014. I remind the shadow Secretary of State, the hon. Member for Edinburgh South (Ian Murray), that in 2019 he said:

“a democracy fails to be a democracy if the public are not allowed to change their mind.”—[Official Report, 8 April 2019; Vol. 658, c. 124.]

Back in 2012, Alistair Darling said:

“Today we are equal partners in the United Kingdom.”

Today, our First Minister noted that this ruling confirms that the notion of the UK as a voluntary partnership is no longer—if it ever was—a reality. Why will the Secretary of State not acknowledge that the only way for Scotland to be treated as an equal is with its independence?

[Mr Jack]

I have made my position very clear. I refer the hon. Lady to the answer I gave earlier.