All articles tagged with #scottish independence
Protesters in Scotland plan to demonstrate against US President Donald Trump's five-day private visit, which includes visits to his golf resorts and meetings with UK officials, amid mixed public opinions and a history of protests during his previous visits. Police are deploying thousands of officers to manage the demonstrations, and the visit coincides with ongoing political and legal controversies surrounding Trump.
Alistair Darling, the former Labour chancellor who guided the UK through the 2008 financial crisis, has passed away at the age of 70. Darling served in the cabinet for 13 years and led the Better Together campaign during the Scottish independence referendum in 2014. He was known for his expertise and honesty in navigating the global financial crisis and was a lifelong advocate for Scotland. Labour leader Keir Starmer praised Darling's dedication to public service and his role in modernizing the party.
Scotland hosted its own event to honor King Charles III, two months after his coronation in London. While not a second coronation, the new king was presented with the Honors of Scotland, including the crown, scepter, and sword of state, during a service at St. Giles' Cathedral. The Stone of Destiny, a symbol of Scottish identity, was also present. The event aimed to strengthen ties between Scotland and the United Kingdom, but some protesters called for an elected head of state and criticized the cost of living. The festivities included a procession, featuring bagpipes and a Shetland pony, and highlighted Scotland's unique history and identity.
Former leader of Scotland's ruling Scottish Nationalist Party, Nicola Sturgeon, was arrested on Sunday on allegations of financial misconduct in the party. She is being questioned over allegations that £600,000 raised to campaign for Scottish independence had been diverted elsewhere. Sturgeon's husband and the party's former treasurer were also arrested in April. The investigation into the SNP began less than eight weeks after Sturgeon's resignation in February. Scotland is part of the U.K., but has its own semi-autonomous government with broad powers over areas that include education and health care.
The new SNP leadership, led by Humza Yousaf, is focusing on building a consistent majority for Scottish independence before pushing for another referendum, as they believe support needs to be higher and more sustained. Yousaf has introduced an extra step in the process of forcing another referendum, and his allies acknowledge that the position in Westminster is not going to change under the current government. They argue that events may help change that, such as a Labour government being forced to accept another referendum as the price of support in a hung Parliament.
Peter Murrell, the husband of former Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, has been arrested in connection with an investigation into Scottish National Party (SNP) finances. Police Scotland said officers were carrying out searches at a number of addresses as part of the investigation. Questions had been raised about funds given to the party for use in a fresh independence referendum campaign. The SNP has pledged to cooperate fully with the investigation.
BBC Newsbeat spoke to young people across Scotland to find out their views on some of the big issues facing new SNP leader, Humza Yousaf. While Scottish independence was a key issue for Nicola Sturgeon, many young people were more concerned about the cost of living, with one student living in a van to save on rent. Climate change was also a concern, with some calling for a transition to renewable energy. The issue of gender rights, particularly trans rights, was also discussed, with some expressing concern about the impact on women's spaces. Finally, engaging young voters was seen as a challenge for Yousaf.
Humza Yousaf faces significant challenges as he takes over as SNP leader and Scotland's first minister, including uniting a divided party and nation, deciding whether to offer defeated rivals jobs in government, addressing policy issues such as the Scottish government's response to the UK blocking the gender recognition reform bill, and handling the independence question carefully. Yousaf has promised to be a first minister for everyone in Scotland and to focus on shared priorities such as dealing with cost of living pressures and NHS recovery.
Humza Yousaf has won the Scottish National Party leadership contest and is set to become Scotland’s First Minister replacing Nicola Sturgeon. Yousaf won 52% of the final votes cast, running on a platform dedicated to delivering Scottish independence, combating the cost-of-living crisis, rejoining the European Union, banning conversion practices, and transitioning to renewable energy, amongst other campaign promises. Yousaf takes over a party with an overriding objective to end Scotland’s three-centuries-long union with England.
Humza Yousaf has been elected as the new leader of the Scottish National Party (SNP), succeeding Nicola Sturgeon. Yousaf, who was seen as the continuity candidate, won a close contest against Kate Forbes and Ash Regan. He has pledged to work for the interests of all Scottish citizens and to push for Scottish independence. Yousaf takes over a party that has just been through a divisive campaign and will need to work to keep all of Forbes' supporters on side.