A Scottish Conservative MP has described the Scottish government’s plans to pursue a second independence referendum as a “desperate last throw of the dice.” In the first independence referendum held in 2014, the Scottish electorate voted 55–45 percent to reject independence and remain part of the UK. But First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, who is also…

The Scottish government would be “unlikely” to overcome the opposition from the UK government and succeed in holding a second independence referendum, a former civil servant who negotiated the first independence vote has said. In the first independence referendum held in 2014, the Scottish electorate voted 55–45 percent to reject independence and remain part of…

GLASGOW, Scotland—Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon vowed on Saturday to press ahead with plans for a new referendum on leaving the United Kingdom after saying there was no doubt elections to the Scottish parliament would return a pro-independence majority. In a rebuke to British Prime Minister Boris Johnson who has said he would block a…

LONDON—Britain’s cabinet office will set up a “second flagship HQ” in Glasgow as the government plans to move some of its operations to Scotland, ministers announced on March 15, at a time when support for Scottish independence is running high. Ties between Scotland and the rest of Britain have been badly strained by a much-criticised…

LONDON—Scottish support for independence has fallen four percentage points, probably due to divisions among Scottish nationalists, but 47 percent of Scots still support breaking up the United Kingdom by going it alone, a poll indicated on Thursday. A Savanta ComRes poll for The Scotsman showed 47 percent would vote for independence and 42 percent would vote against,…

LONDON—Scottish support for independence has fallen 4 percentage points, probably due to divisions among Scottish nationalists, but 47 percent of Scots still support breaking up the United Kingdom by going it alone, a poll indicated on Feb. 11. A Savanta ComRes poll for The Scotsman showed 47 percent would vote for independence and 42 percent would vote…

LONDON—Scotland’s top civil court has dismissed a case which sought a ruling that the Scottish parliament could hold an independence referendum without permission from London, saying it was premature and hypothetical. Independence campaigner Martin Keatings wanted legal backing for his argument the Scottish parliament had the authority to hold a new vote on secession without…