Key questions as Sturgeon's IndyRef2 plan is thrown out by Supreme Court

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The Supreme Court has ruled that the Scottish parliament cannot hold an independence referendum without Westminster's approval.

The court's five justices said Holyrood's proposed bill for an independence vote went beyond its powers because of the implications for the whole of the UK, undermining plans for the first Minister Nicola Sturgeon to hold a vote on October 19, 2023.

Ms Sturgeon said she would respect the union, but accused the Westminster government of 'denying democracy' and reiterated plans to her party to make Scotland's next national election a "de facto referendum", whereby she would see a majority of Scottish votes as a mandate for independence.

The Westminster government has refused several times to respond to the Prime Minister's request for an au referendum, arguing that the issue had been settled for a generation by the 2014 referendum in which Scots voted to stay in the union 55% to 45%.

The Scottish National Party of Ms Sturgeon points to developments in opinion polls which, while rarely showing majority support for independence, have shrunk considerably over the past eight years.

The Supreme Court, which considers the UK's highest constitutional court questions, has been asked by the Scottish Government's top judicial officer to consider whether proposed legislation for an independence vote falls within Holyrood's power - or, as the justices might say so: "within its legislative competence" - or whether such decisions are reserved for Westminster. /p>

Despite the Scottish Lord Advocate's argument that the bill under consideration did not cover reserved issues because a referendum would not trigger independence, the justices said any vote would still have to be taken. 'huge 'practical' and legal effects.

Plainly put, the Chief Justice, Lord Reed, said: 'The Scottish Parliament has no power to legislate for a referendum on the 'Independence of Scotland.'

So what next?

Immediate ate re...