Scottish Referendum Legislation: Supreme Court Decision

Gavin Newlands Excerpts

Wednesday 23rd November 2022 Commons Chamber

[Mr Jack]

No, I will not write to the First Minister of Wales. I will leave that to the Secretary of State of Wales or anyone else who feels that it is in their remit. I say to the right hon. Lady that polling shows that less than a third of Scots want another independence referendum.

[Gavin Newlands (Paisley and Renfrewshire North) (SNP)]

The smug, patronising and cloth-eared response from the Prime Minister, the so-called Secretary of State for Scotland and Tory Members to the ripping away of democratic human rights from the Scottish people will be seen by many Scots today. Imagine the uproar if the European Parliament and European courts had denied this Parliament the right to legislate on the Brexit referendum. The Secretary of State was unwilling, or simply unable, to answer that question when asked by the Chair of the Scottish Affairs Committee, my hon. Friend the Member for Perth and North Perthshire (Pete Wishart). How does any member country leave this so-called voluntary Union?

[Mr Jack]

I do not know whether the hon. Gentleman has read the Supreme Court judgment, but it makes it very clear that the matter is reserved to the Westminster Parliament. On the mandate argument, it is clear that less than a third of the Scottish electorate voted for the SNP last year.

[Gavin Newlands]

Answer the question!

[Mr Jack]

We are very clear about that, and we are very clear that a future referendum would take place, as in 2014, when there is consensus between—

[Gavin Newlands]

Answer the question!

[Mr Jack]

I am answering it. When there is consensus between both Governments, all political parties and civic Scotland.

[Gavin Newlands]

Answer the question!

[Madam Deputy Speaker (Dame Rosie Winterton)]

Order. The hon. Gentleman cannot just sit there yelling. It is a really bad look. I call Amy Callaghan.