Will Scotland leave the UK after Elizabeth II’s death? A new attempt to do this was started a few weeks ago. For some in the country, however, that would probably not go far enough.
Munich – Queen Elizabeth II spent the last days of her life full of glory and privation in Scotland. At Balmoral Castle. Your summer residence in the east of the country. Scots were also the first to bid farewell to the beloved monarch who has held the UK together for the past 70 years. And despite its exceptional position, it reinvented itself.
In Scotland’s capital Edinburgh, the coffin was presented to thousands of mourners in a procession along the Royal Mile, followed by a memorial service in St. Giles Cathedral, after which the citizens were able to pilgrimage past the coffin and pay their last respects to the deceased. Before “The People’s Queen” leaves Scotland forever on Tuesday night.
Mourning for Elizabeth II: Discussions about Scotland’s exit from the Kingdom are increasing again
The rest of the funeral ceremonies will take place in London, the capital of England and the Kingdom. First the coffin is taken to Buckingham Palace, then after another funeral procession it is laid out in Westminster Hall in the British Parliament, where citizens and state guests have four days to say goodbye. The funeral is scheduled for next Monday at Windsor Castle – the seat of the royal family.
By then at the latest, the discussions in and around Scotland will probably increase. On whether now is the time to leave the UK. In July, the government of Prime Minister Nicola Sturgeon submitted an application to the Supreme Court in London to have the plans for a new independence referendum checked for legality. The head of government has the date of October 19, 2023 in mind. The Supreme Court intends to make a decision in October.
In a first referendum in 2014, a majority of 55 percent voted to remain in the kingdom. However, the pro-Brexit vote two years later caused resentment in the Scottish population, because in their own country 62 percent of the votes cast were for remaining in the EU.
Video: Mass mourning for the late Queen in Edinburgh
Will Scotland leave the UK? Prime Minister Sturgeon gushed about Elizabeth II.
The Queen has been cited several times as a reason why Scots would balk at secession from the UK. On the occasion of the death of Elizabeth II, Sturgeon also emphasized that she was “one of the foundations of the United Kingdom, she helped to preserve unity”.
Whether that’s her son and heir to the throne, Charles III. was crowned will succeed in a similar way, many political commentators doubt. In the Daily Mail Journalist Andrew Neil warned: “The union (between Scotland and the rest of the UK) is probably more at risk now that the Queen is gone.” While the new king will “love Scotland as much as the Queen does”, he is lacking it on his mother’s authority.
Scottish journalist Alex Massie speculates in an op-ed for the Times: “Some Scots will see the end of this era as a natural time for a new beginning.” The Herald explains: “The transition of the crown is a moment of weakness, perhaps even fragility.”
Scotland before leaving the UK? ruling party promotes independence
Sturgeon’s SNP has championed Scottish independence, the party has been in government since 2007 and missed an absolute majority in the Scottish Parliament by just one vote in the most recent election in May 2021. Contrary to some supporters of leaving the Union, the SNP does not necessarily call for a break with the monarchy.
Not only Sturgeon was publicly deeply affected by Elizabeth’s death and appreciated her “dedication and extraordinary service”. Party founder Alex Salmond, Sturgeon’s predecessor as First Minister, even coined the phrase “Queen of Scots” and has had close ties with Charles in the past.
Scotland and the Monarchy: ‘Much more reserved towards House Windsor than English voters’
With the new monarch, the Scots could have been worse off anyway. Because the king liked to wear kilts, at least until now, spent part of his youth in a strict Scottish boarding school and owns several properties in the country. But that’s not all: in some regional newspapers like that Daily Record hopes Charles’ commitment to protecting the environment could be an opportunity for Scotland should the heir to the throne support the move away from coal mining towards a pioneer in renewable energy.
That doesn’t sound like the worst starting position. Nevertheless, Massie, already quoted, emphasizes that the Scots are “considerably more reserved towards the House of Windsor than English voters”. At the same time, the journalist called on the head of government to lead her country into “a republican future”.
In June, in a survey by the British Future think tank, 45 percent of Scots supported the monarchy, while 36 percent were in favor of a republic. It cannot be ruled out that the Republican camp will now gain further support. (mg)
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