A plan B for independence is vital – Helen Martin

If Boris Johnson refuses to allow a second independence referendum, the Scottish Government should seek support from the EU and world instead, writes Helen Martin.

Boris Johnson seems to think Scotland is part of England (Picture: Jonathan Brady/PA Wire)

IT is so difficult for Nicola Sturgeon, who puts people and lives before politics during this pandemic, to deal with Boris Johnson who remains immersed in right-wing, Brexit, global trade deals and a new tyrannical UK system of politics.

Apparently, he thinks Scotland is part of England as he denies there is a border. As Nicola is not mentioning independence right now, he seems to think the SNP MPs in Westminster remain a waste of space. Any EU transition extension has been ruled out so by the end of December we’re all hauled out. And with no Section 30 permission, it’s all over.

Pete Wishart, an SNP MP for almost 20 years, has come up with Plan B. Winning the next Scottish election would result in the declaration of a referendum, and it would be good if the UK agreed. Otherwise, it would be time to seek EU and international support for the ref, withdraw from the UK and inevitably be welcomed back by the EU.

It sounds good to me. I sincerely hope it works. Meanwhile, at least a Plan B might persuade Johnson (who is dismally regarded by the EU and didn’t even listen to Wishart), that Section 30 isn’t the be-all and end-all.

On the other hand, he probably won’t care anyway. Peculiarly, in negotiations with the EU he has demanded that London financiers and big businesses can still share EU advantages and that’s been knocked back, but he’s not bothered.

There are many people who believe Boris will resign once his no-deal is established, UK tax havens are protected, hedge funds have made fortunes and he’s substantially rewarded. Job done.

At that point England may not know which way to turn. At least Scotland has a plan for the future.

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