Legal referendum:
Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon recently said she planned to hold a legal referendum on independence from Britain despite Westminster’s opposition, as an opinion poll showed a majority would vote yes.
- The referendum for Scottish independence was held in 2014. Scotland had voted to remain in the UK.
- The Act of Union between Scotland and England was signed on Jan. 16, 1707.
- It came into effect on May 1 of that year, creating the United Kingdom of Britain.
- The Scottish Parliament was dissolved, and a single Parliament was created at Westminster in London.
- Scotland and England have a complicated history, but the short answer is that Scotland needed an economic boost.
- The country’s finances were a mess after a failed attempt to establish a trading colony in Panama.
- This unsuccessful scheme was conclusive evidence that Scotland’s future prosperity was best served by the union.
- Those who support independence believe Scotland “would be richer” if it breaks from England.
- Proponents of independence want Scotland to make its own decisions about how resources are controlled and money is invested.
