Claim of Right for Scotland

Opened the debate

The debate tonight comes at a critical time for Scotland, with the UK on the cusp of withdrawing from the European Union. The people of Scotland rejected this by a significant majority in the referendum. However, due to the democratic will difference between England and Scotland, Scotland is being dragged out of the EU against its wishes. This shows the myth of the union of equals, as the devolved legislatures in Scotland have refused consent to the UK's withdrawal agreement. The SNP won 80% of the seats in Scotland but the Government still refuses to accept Scotland’s democratic right to choose its own future. Despite not winning over 50% of the popular vote in the election, the Tories continue to deny Scotland’s claim of right to exercise its democratic will.

Government Response

While acknowledging Patricia Gibson's efforts to secure the debate, Douglas Ross stated that in his constituency and others during the recent general election campaign, issues such as the claim of right for Scotland did not come up frequently. He noted that healthcare funding and service delivery were critical issues raised by constituents, indicating a focus on tangible matters rather than constitutional debates. Referring to SNP leaflets promoting votes against Brexit or Boris Johnson but not explicitly advocating independence, Ross argued that the SNP's campaign was misleading. On the issue of once-in-a-generation referendums, he cited the 2014 White Paper which stated such referenda were rare events. He also highlighted recent council by-election victories for the Scottish Conservatives as evidence of shifting public opinion. Finally, Ross emphasised focusing on issues like hospital building and police station conditions rather than constitutional wrangling.