Why Scotland’s Push to Secede From UK Won’t Go Away

In a 2014 referendum on whether Scotland should break away to become Europe’s newest nation state, Scots voted to stay in the three-centuries-old union with England and Wales by 55% to 45%. Rather than settling the matter, though, the separatists gathered in strength and numbers. They became key political power brokers by winning most of Scotland’s seats in the UK Parliament. Now they’re trying to lay the ground for another vote, but the government in London has refused to allow one and the courts blocked Scotland’s bid to call one unilaterally. The figurehead of the independence movement, Nicola Sturgeon, unexpectedly quit on Feb. 15, saying it was time for someone else to have a go. Four months later she was arrested as part of a party funding investigation.

Scotland and England united to form Great Britain in 1707, but the two nations retain a host of cultural and political differences. With about 5.5 million people, Scotland makes up about 8% of the UK’s population and its economy. Many Scots see rule from London as a fundamental lack of self-determination. The distinctions go beyond kilts and bagpipes: Scotland has its own legal and education systems, football league and bank notes. The Scottish National Party, which is spearheading the independence drive, also wants to remove Britain’s nuclear weapons from a loch in western Scotland.