Scotland elects minority government, dealing setback to independence hopes

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Winning an overall majority isn’t easy under Scotland’s electoral system which is a mixture of first-past-the-post and proportional representation. But the SNP had high hopes for a resounding victory in Thursday’s election to bolster Ms. Sturgeon’s call for a referendum on sovereignty within two years. They had also been buoyed by opinion polls showing an increase in support for sovereignty and Ms. Sturgeon’s high popularity among voters.

However, by law she needs the U.K. government to approve a plebiscite and Prime Minister Boris Johnson has steadfastly refused. He has argued that Scots decided the issue in 2014 when they voted No to sovereignty by 55 per cent. Now that the SNP has failed to win a majority, analysts said Mr. Johnson will be able to argue that Ms. Sturgeon doesn’t have a mandate to call a referendum.

“The timing of an independence referendum now should be a matter for the Scottish parliament,” she said. If Mr. Johnson ignores the request, he will “have to take the decision to legally challenge the ability of the Scottish parliament to deliver on what the people of Scotland voted for. The absurdity and outrageous nature of that – a Westminster government potentially going to court to overturn Scottish democracy – I think is the most powerful argument for Scottish independence.

Nope majority for Independence

Wrong. SNP + Greens (also pro indy) has a majority.

This is nonsense. Scotland hasn't elected a minority government. The pro-independence SNP has fallen just short of a majority, which is an incredible victory in a PR electoral system. They will be able to form a majority government with the pro-independence Green Party.

Calm down G&M, the greens are pro indy too

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