In a big blow for Scottish nationalists, the United Kingdom's top court ruled that the Scottish government cannot hold a second referendum on independence next year without approval from the British parliament. Watch this report to know more.

UK's top court rejects Scottish independence referendum bid

Polling stations across Britain opened Thursday in the first local and regional elections since Brexit and the coronavirus crisis, with Scotland the main focus after calls for a new independence referendum that could reshape the country.

The votes will also test backing for Prime Minister Boris Johnson's Conservative Party after he led Britain out of the EU and through the pandemic, suffering Europe's highest death toll but also its fastest vaccine rollout.

Johnson has recently shrugged off a scandal over costly renovations to his Downing Street flat.

Voting on what has been dubbed "Super Thursday" is being held for local councils in England, regional mayors, including in London, and for the devolved parliaments in Wales and Scotland.

Most attention is being paid to the vote for the Scottish Parliament, as the ruling Scottish National Party (SNP) wants a new independence referendum when the pandemic subsides.

SNP leader and Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon is seeking a parliamentary majority after boosting her popularity with strong public engagement during the pandemic.&nbsp;

"Getting through this crisis is my priority," she said in a televised debate on Tuesday.

The SNP has capitalised on widespread disillusion with the UK parliament in London to become the dominant political force in Scotland but currently forms a minority government.

In Glasgow, Lorna McClure, a 60-year-old cleaner, said she was "all for Nicola Sturgeon".&nbsp;

"I think she is really good for Scotland and I want independence," she told AFP.

But Raghav Jay, a 35-year-old MBA student said: "I think I would rather Scotland stayed within the UK. So I'd prefer a party which is going to support that."&nbsp;

Latest opinion polls suggest the SNP will gain a slim majority for the first time since 2011, keeping it in power, although other surveys have indicated a coalition was likely.

Securing the powers from London to hold a new referendum on independence and a "yes" vote is less certain, however, while recent surveys point to a fall-off in support for going it alone.

<h2>'Reckless, irresponsible'&nbsp;</h2>

Most Scots rejected Brexit, which has boosted independence sentiment, although fears of fresh economic upheaval after the pandemic are bolstering support for staying in the UK.

The SNP pledges that an independent Scotland would seek to rejoin the European Union but the practicalities of that are sparking concern.

"We need strength in unity and to start having new borders... would be madness," said Alec Telfer, 64, president of the Blackface Sheep Breeders Association.

Scots cast two votes: one for a constituency MSP (member of the Scottish parliament) and one electing regional MSPs in a proportional representation system.&nbsp;

Johnson has said the 2014 referendum where 55 percent of Scots voted "no" closed the debate for a generation.

"This is not the time to have a reckless and I think, irresponsible, referendum," he said Wednesday.

The SNP insists it will only hold a referendum that is legally valid, although Sturgeon's predecessor Alex Salmond and his newly formed Alba party want an immediate vote.

<h2>'Red Wall'&nbsp;</h2>

Polling stations close at 10:00 pm, with most results expected from Friday and into early next week as social distancing rules for those counting slows the process.

The outcome will be watched closely to see whether Johnson's party manages to hold on to gains in the 2019 general election and previous local votes after the 2016 Brexit referendum.

The main opposition Labour party, led by Keir Starmer since last year, is hoping for gains in its so-called "Red Wall" seats in northern England that it lost to the Conservatives in 2019.

It also wants to hang on to the northeastern port town of Hartlepool, which has had Labour MPs since the 1970s, in a UK parliamentary by-election being held at the same time.

Victory there would boost Johnson, and heap pressure on Starmer, as he tries to reposition Labour after the hard-left leadership of his predecessor Jeremy Corbyn.

In London, Labour incumbent Sadiq Khan -- Britain's most prominent Muslim politician -- is predicted to win a second four-year term in the high-profile mayoral race.

No candidate has the profile of Jihyun Park, who is standing as a councillor for the Conservatives in Bury, near Manchester in northwest England.

She arrived in Britain 13 years ago after fleeing a North Korean prison camp.

"The UK people welcomed me to this land and I finally found my freedom. I want to pay back," she told AFP in February.

Polling stations across Britain opened Thursday in the first local and regional elections since Brexit and the coronavirus crisis, with Scotland the main focus after calls for a new independence referendum that could reshape the country.

Polling stations across Britain opened Thursday in the first local and regional elections since Brexit and the coronavirus crisis, with Scotland the main focus after calls for a new independence referendum that could reshape the country. The votes will also test backing for Prime Minister Boris Johnson's Conservative Party after he led Britain out of the EU and through the pandemic, suffering Europe's highest death toll but also its fastest vaccine rollout. Johnson has recently shrugged off a scandal over costly renovations to his Downing Street flat. Voting on what has been dubbed "Super Thursday" is being held for local councils in England, regional mayors, including in London, and for the devolved parliaments in Wales and Scotland. Most attention is being paid to the vote for the Scottish Parliament, as the ruling Scottish National Party (SNP) wants a new independence referendum when the pandemic subsides. SNP leader and Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon is seeking a parliamentary majority after boosting her popularity with strong public engagement during the pandemic. "Getting through this crisis is my priority," she said in a televised debate on Tuesday. The SNP has capitalised on widespread disillusion with the UK parliament in London to become the dominant political force in Scotland but currently forms a minority government. In Glasgow, Lorna McClure, a 60-year-old cleaner, said she was "all for Nicola Sturgeon". "I think she is really good for Scotland and I want independence," she told AFP. But Raghav Jay, a 35-year-old MBA student said: "I think I would rather Scotland stayed within the UK. So I'd prefer a party which is going to support that." Latest opinion polls suggest the SNP will gain a slim majority for the first time since 2011, keeping it in power, although other surveys have indicated a coalition was likely. Securing the powers from London to hold a new referendum on independence and a "yes" vote is less certain, however, while recent surveys point to a fall-off in support for going it alone. 'Reckless, irresponsible' Most Scots rejected Brexit, which has boosted independence sentiment, although fears of fresh economic upheaval after the pandemic are bolstering support for staying in the UK. The SNP pledges that an independent Scotland would seek to rejoin the European Union but the practicalities of that are sparking concern. "We need strength in unity and to start having new borders... would be madness," said Alec Telfer, 64, president of the Blackface Sheep Breeders Association. Scots cast two votes: one for a constituency MSP (member of the Scottish parliament) and one electing regional MSPs in a proportional representation system. Johnson has said the 2014 referendum where 55 percent of Scots voted "no" closed the debate for a generation. "This is not the time to have a reckless and I think, irresponsible, referendum," he said Wednesday. The SNP insists it will only hold a referendum that is legally valid, although Sturgeon's predecessor Alex Salmond and his newly formed Alba party want an immediate vote. 'Red Wall' Polling stations close at 10:00 pm, with most results expected from Friday and into early next week as social distancing rules for those counting slows the process. The outcome will be watched closely to see whether Johnson's party manages to hold on to gains in the 2019 general election and previous local votes after the 2016 Brexit referendum. The main opposition Labour party, led by Keir Starmer since last year, is hoping for gains in its so-called "Red Wall" seats in northern England that it lost to the Conservatives in 2019. It also wants to hang on to the northeastern port town of Hartlepool, which has had Labour MPs since the 1970s, in a UK parliamentary by-election being held at the same time. Victory there would boost Johnson, and heap pressure on Starmer, as he tries to reposition Labour after the hard-left leadership of his predecessor Jeremy Corbyn. In London, Labour incumbent Sadiq Khan -- Britain's most prominent Muslim politician -- is predicted to win a second four-year term in the high-profile mayoral race. No candidate has the profile of Jihyun Park, who is standing as a councillor for the Conservatives in Bury, near Manchester in northwest England. She arrived in Britain 13 years ago after fleeing a North Korean prison camp. "The UK people welcomed me to this land and I finally found my freedom. I want to pay back," she told AFP in February.

Scotland independence debate dominates UK polls

Scotland's&nbsp;first minister Nicola Sturgeon&nbsp;on Monday was given a green light for her&nbsp;independent country to join the European Union.

Ever since the&nbsp;EU&nbsp;referendum in 2016, the&nbsp;Scottish National Party&nbsp;have argued for a second independence vote so that an independent Scotland could apply to return to the EU.&nbsp;

To bolster the argument,&nbsp;Sturgeon cited&nbsp;the 62 percent vote in favour of Remain in Scotland.

In an interview with British tabloid The Express UK, she said&nbsp;"Any barriers for Scotland in joining the EU are political rather than legal, because any candidate to join the EU has to abide by the terms set. It would be fairly easy to meet those terms because Scottish law is currently fully compliant with EU law.''

"As time goes on there are likely to become greater divergences, but that would simply mean at the time Scotland wanted to join the EU we'd have to change stuff then," she added.

According to&nbsp;public law expert Professor Aileen McHarg, while countries like Spain have shunned Scotland in the past,&nbsp;it could be easy for an independent Scotland to rejoin now as Sturgeon&nbsp;is trying to guarantee Scotland remains aligned with EU law.

In June, Scotland introduced&nbsp;the Scottish Continuity Bill&nbsp;aimed to empower Scottish ministers to make amendments that would enable Scottish law to be aligned with EU law after the end of the Brexit transition period.

Former European Council president Donald Tusk said in February that Brussels feels "empathy" towards an independent Scotland joining the EU.

Scotland's first minister Nicola Sturgeon on Monday was given a green light for her independent country to join the European Union. Ever since the EU referendum in 2016, the Scottish National Party have argued for a second independence vote so that an independent Scotland could apply to return to the EU.

Scotland's first minister Nicola Sturgeon on Monday was given a green light for her independent country to join the European Union. Ever since the EU referendum in 2016, the Scottish National Party have argued for a second independence vote so that an independent Scotland could apply to return to the EU. To bolster the argument, Sturgeon cited the 62 percent vote in favour of Remain in Scotland. In an interview with British tabloid The Express UK, she said "Any barriers for Scotland in joining the EU are political rather than legal, because any candidate to join the EU has to abide by the terms set. It would be fairly easy to meet those terms because Scottish law is currently fully compliant with EU law.'' "As time goes on there are likely to become greater divergences, but that would simply mean at the time Scotland wanted to join the EU we'd have to change stuff then," she added. According to public law expert Professor Aileen McHarg, while countries like Spain have shunned Scotland in the past, it could be easy for an independent Scotland to rejoin now as Sturgeon is trying to guarantee Scotland remains aligned with EU law. In June, Scotland introduced the Scottish Continuity Bill aimed to empower Scottish ministers to make amendments that would enable Scottish law to be aligned with EU law after the end of the Brexit transition period. Former European Council president Donald Tusk said in February that Brussels feels "empathy" towards an independent Scotland joining the EU.

No more 'legal barriers' for independent Scotland to join EU: Nicola Sturgeon

Scotland&#39;s opposition leader insisted Saturday there should be no second referendum on Scottish independence, urging the governing nationalists to concentrate on making the best of Brexit rather than exploiting it for another secession push.

Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson told the party&#39;s conference in Glasgow that First Minister Nicola Sturgeon of the Scottish National Party (SNP) was trying to bounce the country into a new referendum.

Scotland voted to stay in the United Kingdom by 55 per cent in the 2014 vote.

It also voted by 62 per cent for the UK to remain in the European Union last year, while the UK-wide vote was to leave, which Sturgeon seized upon.

She has said Brexit makes a second independence referendum &quot;highly likely.&quot;&nbsp;

Many in her left-wing secessionist party hope she will announce a fresh bid at the SNP conference on March 17-18, with Britain set to trigger two years of divorce talks with the EU by the end of the month.

Davidson, leader of the second-biggest party in the semi-autonomous Scottish Parliament, reaffirmed her opposition to independence.

&quot;Scotland said no to independence. Scotland is saying: stop trying to bounce us into another referendum,&quot; she told her centre-right party.

&quot;The Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party will never waver in our determination to stand up for the decision we made as a country. We will fight you every step of the way.

&quot;We said &#39;no,&#39; we meant it. Are you listening, Nicola? No second referendum.

&quot;We deserve a Scottish government that is focused on helping Team UK get the best Brexit deal for all of us, not using it to revive its independence obsession.&quot;

Nationalists protest outside&nbsp;

Outside the conference, around 200 nationalists gathered to protest, chanting &quot;Tory scum&quot; and waving banners calling for another referendum.

Susan McGilvray, 41, an SNP member from East Ayrshire on Scotland&#39;s west coast, told AFP: &quot;I would love to see the call for a second referendum.&quot;

While polls have shifted slightly, support for independence remains in a minority.

McGilvray said: &quot;We might lose it, but no-one ever got anywhere by saying &#39;what if&#39;?&quot;

The Scottish Parliament does not have the authority to hold a second independence referendum. It must seek the permission of the staunchly unionist British Prime Minister Theresa May.

John Menzies, 48, an SNP councillor from Hamilton near Glasgow, was among several dozen motorcyclists who gathered under the banner &quot;Bikers for Yes.&quot;

May, Britain&#39;s Conservative leader, would be &quot;very silly&quot; if she blocked a fresh referendum, he argued.

&quot;That would irk even more of the Scottish people, who then go on and vote for independence,&quot; he said.

On Friday, May told the conference in Glasgow that the SNP&#39;s &quot;obsession&quot; with independence and &quot;tunnel vision nationalism&quot; had caused it to neglect running Scotland&#39;s public services properly.

(AFP)

Ruth Davidson urged governing nationalists to concentrate on making the best of Brexit rather than exploiting it for another secession push

Scotland's opposition leader insisted Saturday there should be no second referendum on Scottish independence, urging the governing nationalists to concentrate on making the best of Brexit rather than exploiting it for another secession push. Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson told the party's conference in Glasgow that First Minister Nicola Sturgeon of the Scottish National Party (SNP) was trying to bounce the country into a new referendum. Scotland voted to stay in the United Kingdom by 55 per cent in the 2014 vote. It also voted by 62 per cent for the UK to remain in the European Union last year, while the UK-wide vote was to leave, which Sturgeon seized upon. She has said Brexit makes a second independence referendum "highly likely." Many in her left-wing secessionist party hope she will announce a fresh bid at the SNP conference on March 17-18, with Britain set to trigger two years of divorce talks with the EU by the end of the month. Davidson, leader of the second-biggest party in the semi-autonomous Scottish Parliament, reaffirmed her opposition to independence. "Scotland said no to independence. Scotland is saying: stop trying to bounce us into another referendum," she told her centre-right party. "The Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party will never waver in our determination to stand up for the decision we made as a country. We will fight you every step of the way. "We said 'no,' we meant it. Are you listening, Nicola? No second referendum. "We deserve a Scottish government that is focused on helping Team UK get the best Brexit deal for all of us, not using it to revive its independence obsession." Nationalists protest outside Outside the conference, around 200 nationalists gathered to protest, chanting "Tory scum" and waving banners calling for another referendum. Susan McGilvray, 41, an SNP member from East Ayrshire on Scotland's west coast, told AFP: "I would love to see the call for a second referendum." While polls have shifted slightly, support for independence remains in a minority. McGilvray said: "We might lose it, but no-one ever got anywhere by saying 'what if'?" The Scottish Parliament does not have the authority to hold a second independence referendum. It must seek the permission of the staunchly unionist British Prime Minister Theresa May. John Menzies, 48, an SNP councillor from Hamilton near Glasgow, was among several dozen motorcyclists who gathered under the banner "Bikers for Yes." May, Britain's Conservative leader, would be "very silly" if she blocked a fresh referendum, he argued. "That would irk even more of the Scottish people, who then go on and vote for independence," he said. On Friday, May told the conference in Glasgow that the SNP's "obsession" with independence and "tunnel vision nationalism" had caused it to neglect running Scotland's public services properly. (AFP)

Scotland's opposition takes dim view of second independence referendum

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