Has #Covid19 made Scottish independence more likely? - BBC Newsnight

Matters of health policy are decided for the Scottish people by the Scottish government and the Covid crisis has allowed First Minister Nicola Sturgeon to forge an independent route.

But what effect has her pandemic leadership had on Scotland's appetite for independence? And what are the chances of another referendum?

Allan Little reports from Scotland.

#BBCNews #Newsnight #ScottishIndependence #IndyRef2

Newsnight is the BBC's flagship news and current affairs TV programme - with analysis, debate, exclusives, and robust interviews.

[vxztcpt]

Support Scottish independence, if it is what they want, let them be independent

[lulezimaliaj]

It is in a way funny. During the Scottish referendum campaign, Scotland was threatened with being left out of EU and having to reapply to join and that had an impact on the way their voting went. Now they are being, against their will, forced out. And if it's true Scotland is a liability, I don't personally believe this to be true, to the UK economy why is UK so desperate to keep Scotland in the union?

[Duggi]

FINALLY! The BBC openly admit Scotland has no borrowing powers. Perhaps the nonsense about a Scottish deficit will end, as they have said Scotland does not have the power to run a deficit.

[grahamfleming]

100 years ago Ireland was a British backwater, today the part that is Free, now the 4th highest g.d.p per capita and a third of the poverty, We need proactive government here too.Northern Ireland another wasters paradise.

[evawoods]

If I don't see Scottish Independence in my life time I will be shocked

[martindornan]

In an independent Scotland the Scottish people would be governed by the government that they vote for and not be governed by the government that another country voted for.

[johnbinnie]

The handling of the covid crisis is just another example of the straightforward effective governance that we are used to seeing in Scotland. Holyrood is actually quite refreshing by comparison to the toxic circus we see at Westminster.

[Mac-stfd]

We will be free one day 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[ajkhanajkhan]

Scotland is beautiful natural land I love 💕

[vxztcpt]

Scotland has its own culture and should be independent

[realornot]

It’s simple the Scottish and the English people don’t want the same thing anymore better to call it a day

[polishherowitoldpilecki]

That’s the end of what’s left of the British empire. Once Scotland leaves, Northern Ireland will likely reunify with southern Ireland. Leaving us with Wales and overseas islands.

[shaesmith]

To all my Scottish brothers and sisters, as an Englishman I fully support your democratic right to vote on your own future. These knuckle dragging idiots in the comments don’t represent England. I care about democracy and the right to vote for your own future. If you vote remain, I hope we can work together as equals in the future. If you vote to leave, then I hope our governments will work together to make your independence as painless as possible. Keep being awesome Scotland ✊🏻

[lauralishes]

*AFTER TELLING THE SCOTTISH PEOPLE IN 2014, TO SECURE YOUR PLACE IN THE EU VOTE NO TO LEAVING THE UK, WHICH THEY DID. NOW AFTER EVERY SINGLE CONSTITUENCY IN SCOTLAND VOTED TO REMAIN IN THE EU THEY ARE BEING FORCED TO LEAVE, IT IS UNDEMOCRATIC. THEY DEFINITELY HAVE THE RIGHT TO A 2ND REFERENDUM, IF YOU DON'T AGREE YOU ARE UNDEMOCRATIC. IT SHOULD BE FOR THEM TO DECIDE*

[rickyb]

The union only works for the south of england, no where else.

[Saor_Alba]

Scotland is quickly approaching the point of no return, by that I mean the historic point at which the desire for autonomy becomes the norm. Every colony that gained its independence from the British empire reached this plateau, and then quickly exceeded it. I mention the fate of colonies for that is how this Tory government regards Scotland, as simply a region of England, the North Britain mentality that pervades the Tories.

This sham of a Union is all but finished, it was sacrificed on the Tory altar of Brexit and broken promises. Scotland is never going back to the way it was, we are not going to go back into our little Unionist boxes however much the UK government threatens and shouts. There is a growing sentiment that this Union is not fit for purpose and is broken beyond repair, and most now think it was never worth fixing in the first place.

The Holyrood election in 2021 will be the watermark, with support for the SNP at 54% and growing. With the Tories expected to get 20% at best, the lowest ever share of the popular vote. With Labour and the Lib Dems reduced to the position of fighting for third place and minority status. I fully expect support for independence to be around the high 50's even 60% by then. Scotland has a renewed confidence, our future is clear, it lies as an independent nation within Europe.

[Crucifysanta]

The BBC fawning over the Scottish conservatives is almost embarrassing as Jackson Carlow's wig.

[jameskelly]

If Scotland was so insignificant to the Loonies in London, then why don't they just sever ties and let us go? We'll do it our own way as usual. It speaks volumes that they won't grant a vote, because, deep down they know the real truth.

[Pumpherstonsmith]

I recently took a motoring tour round Ireland. While going round the Republic I was impressed by the progress it had made since my last visit about 20 years ago. When I crossed into the North the contrast was quite stark, it had the look of a country in decline., a lesson to be learned here I think.

[_Area-]

Let us go, if we didn't mean anything to you then you'd let us go, shouldn't be down to Westminster to decide if we get to vote for independence anyway